Nick Kirby, Legal Director of Mishcon de Reya discusses building specialist technology teams, starting incubators, and how tech has transformed the legal industry. 

 Firmly establishing himself as one of Mishcon de Reya's Tech Champions, Nick is a mentor for MDR LAB, Mishcon's programme for tech start-ups in the legal space. As part of this role, he has built technology products which help the Real Estate department automate various tasks.  In addition, Nick also mentors PropTech start-ups at Pi Labs, a company investing in early-stage property tech ventures.  

Nick is responsible for researching new technologies, including software which utilises machine learning and AI for smart document automation.  

In this Modern Law episode of Shieldcast, Nick and Geoff discuss: 

• What role new technology plays in de-risking and streamlining the legal practitioner’s caseload 
• When legal tech can help firms improve and prepare the lawyers of the future that provide value for clients 
• Why a collaborative approach to legal product development can bring positive change for the industry 
• How the Covid-19 crisis has significantly advanced innovation and change for both the legal industry and tech innovators.  

Named as one of the top 10 most innovative lawyers in Europe by the Financial Times in 2019, Nick was commended by the FT for his role in the digital transfer of residential property with the Land Registry. He was also named in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 in 2018 within the 'disruptors' category, hailing those on the front line of legal tech. The Lawyer commented: 'In recent years Mishcon de Reya has made a name for itself as a technology-focused business and, when it comes to real estate, none of its lawyers are more engaged than Nick Kirby.'  

Listen to this Modern Law edition of Shieldcast to find out more! 

Find other episodes in the series on our website: Shieldcast library

Podcast brought to you by Shieldpay - learn more: shieldpay.com