The Head of Blackadders LLP’s Business Services Group has become one of the first lawyers in Scotland to achieve Legal Technology Certification.

Kirk Dailly, who also leads the firm’s AI & Legal Tech Group, was among the first cohort to complete a new Law Society of Scotland course designed to equip lawyers with greater knowledge of legal technology and the practical ways it can benefit firms.

The growth in legal technology is set to dominate the industry in the coming years and the certification course is designed to help lawyers to implement changes at their firms to increase efficiency and output.

Kirk said: “I think it is fascinating how technology is impacting on all business sectors, not least the legal industry.

“It is essential that firms are positioned to take advantage of  developments in legal tech and generative AI, while also recognising that its successful implementation – in a way that truly benefits clients and staff – requires hard work and planning.  We’re on the front foot with that at Blackadders and are already seeing benefits across the firm, whether it be with transaction management, the preparation of presentations and marketing materials, or the review and summarisation of documentation.

“We also have a number of clients in the sector, and it’s exciting to see our new service lines develop as businesses grapple with evolving GenAI risks relating to data privacy, IP, discrimination, cybersecurity and governance – something we’re addressing with innovative training workshops and other initaitives.”

As well as articulating why legal tech is important and will continue to grow in dominance, the course focused on how to implement changes regardless of a firm’s size or breadth of expertise.

The Law Society of Scotland believes those attending the course, led by Ally Thomson of Hey Legal, will be better prepared to navigate a rapidly changing business world, develop highly valued skills and be in an optimal position to serve their clients in the modern way that they expect.

The course is made up of online interactive, a written assignment and private study. The second delivery of the course is already underway.

Kirk was appointed as Head of the Business Services Group at Blackadders LLP earlier this year. He is a key lawyer in the Legal 500 and ranked in Chambers, is Signet Accredited in Corporate Law and Certified by the Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Data Protection. His expertise is in tech, video games, healthcare and life sciences.

The Corporate & Commercial Team at Blackadders operates across all the Firm’s offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. With a working knowledge of the sectors essential to the UK economy, the Team specialises in supporting clients operating in Scotland and beyond. From Technology, Video Games and Life Sciences to Food & Drink, Retail, Energy, Healthcare and Advanced Manufacturing, the Team supports businesses of all shapes and sizes, advising SMEs, multinationals, start-ups and leading entrepreneurs.