LEGAL TECHNOLOGY TRENDS CHANGING IN-HOUSE LEGAL DEPARTMENTS & LAW FIRMS

The first panel of the second day of the fourth and last week of the Congress was titled, "Legal Technology Trends Changing In-House Legal Departments & Law Firms". Moderated by L. Badri Narayanan, Executive Partner, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, the session saw participation from Pooja Sehgal Mehtani, General Counsel, Asia Service Centres & Company Secretary, ASCI, Sun Life India Service Centre Pvt. Ltd; Smitha Chandrashekaraiah, Director Legal, Harman International India Pvt Ltd.; Shujath Bin Ali, General Counsel & CFO, Ramky Enviro Engineers; Hanno Kunkel, EVP & General Counsel, Siemens Ltd.; and Ruchika Nayyar, General Counsel, Nexus Malls. The panel discussed topics such as the evolving role of a GC and tram in the digital transformation era; leveraging technology in legal processes and paperless journey of organizations; hybrid models emerging; and new ways of working in the post pandemic era. Pooja Sehgal Mehtani said, "It's imperative to leverage technology according to business needs and in-house legal departments should constantly evolve and adapt to this transformation specifically brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic." Ruchika Nayyar said, "One of the positive aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic is that it accelerated the need for digitization and use of technology in the legal industry. Another interesting point now being considered by the Kerala HC is a larger question, which is 'whether the right to demand digital services from the government is a fundamental right of the citizens'."