From solicitor, to consultant in data, AI and ethics

In this episode we speak with Lisa McClory, who talks about how she developed her career from practising as a solicitor in large firms to running her own consultancy advising businesses on Knowledge Management, data, AI and ethics.

Lisa reflects on her career path choices and what she particularly enjoyed about the different phases of her early career as a solicitor: ranging from working at major City firms on institutional clients to a subsequent phase when she specialised in clients in the charities sector.  

In addition, Lisa explains how her interest developed in regulation and how she has seen regulation drive transparency and behavioural change at an industry sector level – plus the challenge of establishing objective metrics for measuring such change.  As an example of such industry-level shifts, we discuss the “Environmental, Social and Governance” (ESG) agenda, reflect on where pressure has come from for organisational engagement with these areas, and also discuss the related area of ethics in technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

Finally, Lisa discusses how she sees the impact of technology as a driver of collaboration across the legal sector and the collaborative work being done by many firms to establish industry standards and benchmarks which will benefit all stakeholders.

Resources for listeners:

·         What is Knowledge Management in the legal sector? https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/w-014-7368?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)&firstPage=true 

·         Understanding the EU’s AI regulatory proposals: https://www.allenovery.com/en-gb/global/news-and-insights/publications/key-provisions-of-the-draft-ai-regulation#:~:text=On%2021%20April%202021%2C%20the,regulating%20artificial%20intelligence%20(AI). 

Action for listeners:

1.       Look at the website of “The Chancery Lane Project”.  

a.    For 10 minutes, capture some notes on why you think that competitor law firms want to collaborate on this project.  

b.    Discuss your notes with a friend or colleague.