Tech Forum: Latest updates in genAI for your legal practice

Join us for a comprehensive event exploring the role of AI in legal practices. From an introduction to Generative AI tools and their practical applications tailored for small businesses and sole practitioners to specific legal AI solutions, attendees will learn how to enhance efficiency, streamline workflows, and ensure professionalism. Ethical considerations, AI legislation, and the risks associated with AI in legal practice will also be discussed. With hands-on demonstrations, case studies, and expert insights, this event equips you with the knowledge to harness AI for growth, innovation, and responsible practice.

 

MORNING SESSION

AI Essentials for Sole Practitioners, Small Business & Legal Practices

Presented by Fiona McLay, McLay Legal Consulting
1.5 points in core area 2 - practice management and business skills

This session provides an introduction to Generative AI (GenAI) and its applications for small businesses, sole practitioners, and legal professionals. Learn about the essential AI tools available for enhancing efficiency, especially in back-office tasks and business strategy. Participants will explore practical, free AI tools through a hands-on demonstration, gaining valuable insights into how AI can streamline operations, improve workflows, and support decision-making. This practical session empowers you to harness AI for growth and innovation in your practice or business.

 

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Legal-Specific AI Tools

Presented by Annie Haggar and Amanda Wescombe, Norton Rose Fulbright
1 point in core area 2 - practice management and business skills

This session covers essential legal AI tools, including general legal applications and area-specific programs tailored to legal practices. Learn what to look for when selecting a legal AI tool, ensuring it aligns with your practice's needs while maintaining control over its use. We'll explore how to implement these tools professionally, safeguarding client confidentiality and ethical standards. Through real-world case studies, discover how other legal professionals have successfully integrated AI to improve efficiency, accuracy, and client service in their practice.

 

Responsible Practice in 2025 – Ethics, Risks and Managing AI Challenges 

Panel: Terri Mottershead, Fiona McLay, Annie Haggar, Amanda Wescombe 
1 point in core area 1 - Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility

In this discussion, our expert panel members will explore the ethical, regulatory, and practical challenges of using AI in legal practice. Topics include the duty of competence in selecting AI tools, managing client confidentiality, and ensuring fairness and transparency in AI decision-making. The panel will also address the ethical implications of AI in legal processes, including risks of bias, compliance with data protection laws, and the impact of emerging AI legislation. Attendees will gain valuable insights on how to responsibly incorporate AI into their legal practices while navigating these complex issues.

 

Q&A - Anything AI

Half an hour at the end of the day will be dedicated to a Q&A session with our panel members where you can ask any lingering questions about AI, whether related to the topics covered during the day or new areas of interest. This is your opportunity to gain clarity and expert insights on AI tools, ethical considerations, and practical applications.

This event is proudly supported by Ox Rooms.

DETAILS

• When: Tuesday 25 March 2025, 10:30am -  4:30pm (registration from 10am)
• Where: ACT Law Society, live streaming option available
• Refreshments and meals will be provided throughout the day
• Registrations close 17 March
• All sessions are very practical and in-person attendance is highly recommended

 

MEET THE SPEAKERS

 

FIONA McLAY

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
McLAY LEGAL CONSULTING

Fiona McLay, founder of McLay Legal Consulting, is a friendly face in the world of legal tech. Fiona helps lawyers make their firms not just more profitable, but also more enjoyable places to work, thanks to smart use of the right tech. With 25 years as a dispute resolution lawyer under her belt, she’s seen it all - from the big city firms to the smaller, innovative ones, and even in-house. This journey has given her an insider's view of how different law firms use their tech - and how to help them do it better.
Fiona is a teaching fellow at the College of Law and a Geeky Guru at the Centre for Legal Innovation. Her book called "Tech Enabled Lawyer" is packed with insights on getting the most out of your current tech and figuring out what new tech you need. It has been described as "the guide the industry has been crying out for". 
Fiona believes little tweaks can make a huge difference, especially for those who aren't that into tech. She loves showing lawyers how a few small changes can make their work more efficient and more fun.
If you're curious about how tech can streamline your law practice, Fiona is all about making tech feel less intimidating and more like a helpful friend. She's here to chat, guide, and help you find your way in becoming a tech enabled lawyer.
Fiona has helpful resources available at wwww.fionamclay.com.au and she can be contacted at fiona@mclaylegal.com

 

ANNIE HAGGAR

PARTNER
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT

Annie is a security and technology lawyer with 20+ years of experience advising government and private sector clients in security and technology law, risk, strategy and policy. She advises clients on procurement security considerations, security regulation, and cybersecurity risk mitigation. Annie’s deep technical understanding of technology and cybersecurity issues was gained during her 12 years as legal counsel for one of the world’s largest technology companies, Accenture, including 6 years as global legal counsel for its global cybersecurity business. Annie has been seconded to Commonwealth legal teams advising on risk, strategy, mitigations and controls for managing security risk across the organisation including compliance with applicable laws, the PSPF, ISM and agency policies. Annie has been awarded the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards Sole Practitioner of the Year (2024), General Counsel of the Year (2021) award, and Lawyers Weekly, Corporate Counsel Awards, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Lawyer of the Year award (2021) for her work in security and technology law.

 

AMANDA WESCOMBE

SPECIAL COUNSEL
NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT

Amanda is a security and technology lawyer and a trusted advisor to government and private sector clients.  She supports clients in identifying and mitigating commercial, legal, security and governance risks across all industries, and Commonwealth clients to comply with PSPF, ISM, and ANAO requirements.  She has held senior roles in private practice, at global technology companies, on secondment in Commonwealth government legal teams, and was the commercial and procurement manager for an international defence prime implementing its Major Service Provider program for Defence. 

 

TERRI MOTTERSHEAD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CENTRE FOR LEGAL INNOVATION (AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND ASIA PACIFIC) AT THE COLLEGE OF LAW (CLI)

Terri collaborates internationally with leaders of legal businesses to transform capabilities and practices. She leads CLI’s global initiatives including the Generative AI Initiative, Legalpreneurs Lab and The Legalpreneurs Sandbox podcast.
Terri’s work in legal generative AI has been recognised with her appointment as is the inaugural Chair of the Queensland Law Society’s AI in Legal Practice Consulting Committee, being selected as one of five International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) global Influential Women in Legaltech Honorees 2024, and named as a Finalist in the inaugural Australian AI Awards 2024 in the "AI Female Leader of the Year - Enterprise" category.
Prior to joining CLI, Terri was a practising lawyer, founded start-ups on three different continents, and established or led the talent management functions for global firms and associations in Asia and the US including Lex Mundi, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, and DLA Piper LLP (US).
Terri holds a LLB (Honours) and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, both from QIT; an LLM from the University of Queensland; and an MBA (Distinction) from the University of Wales; and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Business (High Distinction) from the College of Law. She is admitted to practice (but not practising) in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, the High Court of Australia, England & Wales, and Hong Kong.