What is your knowledge on legal innovation and how could this assist you as a paralegal? 

I was honest and said I had little to no experience using legal technology at my old firm, besides having their own matter system to store correspondence and client data for each matter. Therefore, I utilised this question to demonstrate my research in the area and how I believed legal technology could help paralegals perform their role more efficiently and effectively. My answer structure was roughly as follows:

Explain why legal innovation is important for firms

• To maintain their competitive advantage – clients are now expecting firms to use AI and legal technology to expedite the speed of transactions to help save their costs on legal fees. 
• Clients are wanting firms to move towards fixed fee arrangements for their certainty on fees. Hence, firms need to use AI to ensure they can complete matters without losing money, by spending excessive time on tasks such as document drafting which can be automated. 

Explain how the firm has currently implemented AI 

• I explained the firm’s strategy of developing some technology internally (through their own legal technologists) and externally (by acquiring/licensing AI from third party providers) as a selling point to clients.
• I gave specific examples of AI the firm uses: Generative AI tools such as Harvey; collaboration tools such as HighQ; document automation tools such as HotDocs and Avail; and document signing tools like DocuSign. 

Explain how this can directly benefit paralegals 

• The role of paralegals can largely consist of administrative tasks which do not need to be performed by qualified lawyers, and are well suited to legal technology.
• Paralegals can utilise the following technology/AI tools to efficiently, yet accurately, perform the following tasks:
  • Use document automation technology to help draft documents such as Land Registry forms .
  • Use document review/e-discovery technology to help examine title reports, lease reports and due diligence reports.
  • Use Generative AI tools for broad ranges of tasks from wording emails to partners/supervisors, to creating redline documents.

Explain why it's important for paralegals to be adapt to legal technology and AI tools 

• It can be mandatory at firms that certain AI tools are used for reporting and drafting so paralegals need good knowledge of these to competently perform their roles.
• The majority of paralegal tasks can incorporate AI due to their repetitive nature and the fact that few need expert legal knowledge to perform.
• Partners and senior lawyers may directly ask paralegals for their advice on using AI tools – good knowledge can be a great way to build trust and strong relationships with senior lawyers.
• AI tools are already becoming at the forefront of the profession, so experience using them may be key for a successful future career.