Shift Happens: Panel Session with DLA Piper

A recent DLA Piper and TrialView roundtable confirmed the legal industry's shift toward remote and hybrid hearings is both positive and permanent. Key benefits highlighted by participants like Linklaters' Rebecca James include greater flexibility, reduced travel, lower environmental impact, and significant client cost savings.

However, experts cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach. Psychologist Dr. Cartwright-Finch noted psychological challenges like "Zoom fatigue," suggesting hybrid proceedings will likely become the new equilibrium. TrialView's Stephen Dowling identified the crucial psychological shift: senior players' new "willingness to embrace change" and trust in technology.

The central takeaway emphasised that technology alone isn't sufficient. As NYIAC's Rekha Ranghachari stated,

"You can't simply create the tech, it won't be sufficient if humans can't use it."

The future success of digital arbitration depends on continued investment in education and maintaining the collaborative spirit the pandemic initiated, keeping the "door open" to global knowledge sharing across disciplines.

About DLA Piper

DLA Piper is a global law firm with a significant international presence, established to provide comprehensive legal services to a diverse client base. The firm operates with a focus on delivering a coordinated and proactive approach to client matters across its extensive network.

Regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the firm has developed a specialised practice area to address the complex legal challenges these technologies present. Its capabilities centre on guiding clients through the entire AI lifecycle, from development and procurement to deployment and compliance. The firm's work in this field covers a range of legal issues, including navigating evolving global AI regulations, managing intellectual property, data privacy, and assessing liability risks. Their team engages with policymakers and industry bodies on emerging AI governance frameworks and advises a wide spectrum of clients, from technology developers to large corporations integrating AI into their existing operations.

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