Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, drones, 3D printing and electric Tesla cars were among the topics explored in hands-on events staged by Bond Dickinson’s Bristol office as part of the national law firm’s first international innovation week.
Joint webinars were also organised with the firm’s US alliance partner Womble Carlyle with staff from both sides of the Atlantic tuning in to on a range of issues including the Internet of Things and the use of autonomous ships.
With innovative technology transforming the legal industry – along with most other sectors – Bond Dickinson wanted to look at how businesses must challenge themselves to develop more efficient business processes and new ways of engaging with clients as a first step to embedding a culture of innovation.
Bond Dickinson was ranked in the Top 5 firms for innovation in the latest Best Legal Adviser Report – a report which also revealed that innovation in law firms is becoming more important to clients. While in 2015 some 28% said it was important, last year that had soared to 62%.
The Bristol office events discussed initiatives across the city and wider South West – the biggest legal hub after London - and what is needed to keep them ahead of the curve. Alongside the events, staff were also given the opportunity to experience the latest technology.
Bristol as a Smart City, a seminar presented by chair of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership professional and financial sector group Chris Bull and Dr John Bradford, CEO of High Tech Bristol and Bath CIC, explored the innovation happening across Bristol within the legal sector and beyond and why the city is regarded as one of the leading-edge centres for innovation.
A discussion on 3D scanning and Virtual Reality (VR) and their applications was presented by Chris Gill, associate director and the head of geomatics at engineering and design giant Aecom. He explained how 3D technology and VR are used in such diverse areas as surveying railway tracks, creating 3D maps of underground tunnel systems and re-creating crime scenes and crash sites.
Bond Dickinson partner and Bristol office head Julian Kinsey said: “The legal profession has perhaps a reputation for the traditional but the ambition behind Innovation Week is to help tackle this perception.
“Alongside London, Bristol is the UK’s leading smart city, with businesses a stone throw away from our office who are global tech leaders. There are so many mind-boggling initiatives happening across the region, especially when it comes to legal services. It’s a very exciting time to be involved in the sector.”
The firm’s head of innovation Nigel Emmerson added: “The legal sector needs to embrace innovation in order to remain competitive, relevant and progressive.
“Our Innovation Group has been established to help identify potential innovation opportunities and coordinate initiatives and projects across the firm. Running an International Innovation Week in collaboration with Womble Carlyle provided a clear and sustained focus on innovation that will be hugely beneficial to both firms.”
Bond Dickinson has seven offices across the UK. Its Bristol office is its second largest and employs more than 250 staff.
Pictured: Bond Dickinson head of office Julian Kinsey takes the wheel of a Tesla car during the firm’s Innovation Week
