The Law Firm of 2031
One night in October 2021, Rip Van Lawyer went to sleep as usual. He woke up, got dressed and headed out to his office. As soon as he stepped outside the door, things seemed different. As he made his way to the office, he slowly began to realise that he had been asleep for 10 years and it is now October 2031. We join Rip as he discovers some of the changes that have taken place to legal practice in the intervening 10 years. From technology to premises to personnel, Rip is astounded by how much the profession has changed. Just as he is beginning to come to terms with changes to the firm, a client calls asking the firm to advise on a corporate deal. Rip eagerly takes the call only to realise that the way that corporate deals are conducted, priced and completed has also changed dramatically. When he thinks about it, Rip realises that many of the changes that have taken place were already discernible back in 2021. We explore those things discernible today that will shape the law firm and law practice of 2031.