LegalTech

Bristol + Bath LegalTech was co-founded in 2019 by Bristol Law Society, Chris Bull and Dagmar Steffens with Chris and Dagmar in the co-chair roles. The network is a collaboration of law firms, legal tech companies and educationalists with a mutual interest in legal technology and innovation.

Bristol has long been recognised as having expertise in the creative and tech sectors as well as the financial and professional service sector. The network sought to harness that collective expertise by bringing the two sectors together to improve and develop the burgeoning legaltech capability in the West of England.

From those early networking ‘Meet-ups’ to roundtables, hackathons and design sprints, the group has had a regular slot at the Bristol Festival of Technology and most notably worked in association with Whitecap Consulting, to produce a report conducted with support from key regional stakeholders, which found “impressive levels of LegalTech activity, capability and employment across legal service providers, tech firms and LegalTech businesses in the Bristol & Bath region”.

The network and a core steering group of law firm leaders is now considering its next development stage as it seeks to capitalise on the findings of the 2021 report and deliver on key objectives around future skills, knowledge and innovation, and promotion. Watch this space for news of upcoming events and opportunities.

You can access key reports here:

If you are interested in joining the network as a member, speaker or sponsor please contact helen.read@bristollawsociety.com; chris@edge-international.com or Dagmar.Steffens@westofengland-ca.gov.uk

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS