The End of Lawyers? Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services - Hardcover

Richard Susskind

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199541728 ISBN 13: 9780199541720

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2008

Synopsis

In this much anticipated sequel to the legal bestseller, The Future of Law, Susskind lays down a challenge to all lawyers to ask themselves, with their hands on their hearts, what elements of their current workload could be undertaken differently - more quickly, cheaply, efficiently, or to a higher quality - using alternative methods of working. The challenge for legal readers is to identify their distinctive skills and talents, the capabilities that they possess that cannot, crudely, be replaced by advanced systems or by less costly workers supported by technology or standard processes, or by lay people armed with online self-help tools. It is argued that the market is increasingly unlikely to tolerate expensive lawyers for tasks (guiding, advising, drafting, researching, problem-solving, and more) that can equally or better be discharged, directly or indirectly, by smart systems and processes. It follows, the book claims, that the jobs of many traditional lawyers will be substantially eroded and often eliminated. This is where the legal profession will be taken, it is argued, by two forces: by a market pull towards commoditisation and by pervasive development and uptake of information technology. At the same time, the book foresees new law jobs emerging which may be highly rewarding, even if very different from those of today.

About this title

Review:

'His advice cannot be ignored by those lawyers who want to survive the economic turmoil.' --Joshua Rozenberg, The Law Society Gazette

'I feel Susskind has made an excellent start by opening up the debate.' --Phillip Taylor, The Barrister

'The End Of Lawyers is a fascinating and timely book.' --Bruce MacEwen, Adam Smith, Esq.

'This Book is addictive! Susskind has done it again with an extremely engaging blend of advice...I believe anyone working in the professional service form could find useful examples of what can be accomplished in their own profession...' -- Patrick Mckenna

'Richard Susskind's predictions of 1996, in the Future of Law, can now be seen to be coming to pass. I am confident that those in this new work, where he looks even further into the future, will likewise come to pass, given the extraordinary depth of knowledge, analysis and reasoning he has brought to bear and which this book demonstrates on every page.'
--Lord Saville of Newdigate, President of the Society for Computers and Law

'Richard Susskind speaks to the issues facing law firms big and small, in-house legal systems, legal publishers, training establishments and individual lawyers. He has a lucid style informed by personal experience and observation and deep connections within the legal profession. This book should be compulsory reading for all who care about the future of the law.' --Mark Harding, Group General Counsel, Barclays

'If you don't quickly absorb what Susskind has to say, you'll already be behind in adapting to the modern legal profession, in-house as well as private practice. You can't and won't agree with everything here, but you must read it all and think about it all. It would be irresponsible (and self-destructive) to avoid reflecting on the voluminous arguments and examples presented here.' --David Maister, consultant and author, The Trusted Advisor

'Susskind remains the only writer today who can put the future of lawyers and the legal professions on the agenda at the highest levels of government, the judiciary, the legal institutions, major corporations, and law firms.' -- Charles Christian, Editor, Legal Technology Insider

'In The End of Lawyers?, Richard Susskind brilliantly and passionately shows us how to think about practising law in the 21st century. The book's inspirational outlook and yet practical approach make it a must-read for any lawyer aspiring to achieve professional success and make a difference for his or her clients.' --Dov Seldman, Chairman and CEO, LRN, and author, HOW

'Richard Susskind's new book tells us that we should, contrary to the profession's engrained conservatism, turn our minds to the future to better understand the profession and the law. It is thought-provoking and entertaining at the same time. I strongly encourage law firms and in-house lawyers to read this book and embrace the new methods and technologies that Richard Susskind is recommending.' --Peter Kurer, Chairman, UBS

About the Author:

Richard Susskind is Honorary Professor of Law at Gresham College, London, IT adviser to the Lord Chief Justice, and an independent consultant to professional firms and national governments. He is Chair of the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information, a law columnist at The Times, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and of the British Computer Society. He studied law at Glasgow University and has a doctorate in law and computers from Balliol College, Oxford. His views on the future of the legal profession have influenced a generation of lawyers around the world. He has written several books, including Expert Systems in Law (OUP, 1987), The Future of Law (OUP, 1996), and Transforming the Law (OUP, 2000), and has been invited to speak in over 40 countries. He was awarded an OBE in the Millennium New Year's Honours List for services to IT in the Law and to the Administration of Justice.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0199541728
• ISBN 13: 9780199541720
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 316