The End of Lawyers?

Rethinking the nature of legal services

Revised Edition

Richard Susskind OBE

A global bestseller, now available in paperback
Widely acclaimed as a book with far-reaching and profound consequences for all legal readers
Includes an extensive new introduction commentating on the changes in the economic climate over the last two years, and how the work can be read in this context
Lays down fundamental challenges for the legal sector (including practising lawyers, courts, academics)
Clear analysis of the effect of advances in information technology upon the law and legal services, written in punchy non-technical language, it is accessible to a reader without particular knowledge of information technology or management trends, or to those without a legal background
With a highly practical focus, the book offers viable and sensible solutions for change and action
Written by a widely acknowledged expert, building on credible past work, whose predictions have proven to be sound - readers can be confident that they are reading an authoritative and reliable work
Modular layout of the book enables readers to dip into the book and benefit from its insights

New to this Edition:

This paperback edition is an updated version of the previous hardback version, including an updated introduction

The End of Lawyers?

Rethinking the nature of legal services

Revised Edition

Richard Susskind OBE

Description

This widely acclaimed legal bestseller has provoked a tidal wave of debate within the legal profession, being hailed as an inspiration by some and as heresy by others. Susskind lays down a challenge to all lawyers, and indeed all those in a professional service environment. He urges them to ask themselves, with their hands on their hearts, what elements of their current workload could be undertaken differently - more quickly, cheaply, efficiently, or to a higher quality - using alternative methods of working. The challenge for legal readers is to identify their distinctive skills and talents, the capabilities that they possess that cannot, crudely, be replaced by advanced systems or by less costly workers supported by technology or standard processes, or by lay people armed with online self-help tools.

In the extended new preface to this revised paperback edition, Richard Susskind updates his views on legal process outsourcing, courtroom technology, access to justice, e-learning for lawyers, and the impact of the recession on the practice of law. He analyses the four main pressures that lawyers now face (to charge less, to work differently, to embrace technology, and to deregulate), and reveals common fallacies associated with each. And, in an entirely new line of thinking, Susskind argues that law firms and in-house departments will have four business models from which to choose in the future, and he provides some new tools and techniques to help lawyers plan for their future.

Susskind argues that the market is increasingly unlikely to tolerate expensive lawyers for tasks (guiding, advising, drafting, researching, problem-solving, and more) that can equally or better be discharged, directly or indirectly, by smart systems and processes. It follows, the book claims, that the jobs of many traditional lawyers will be substantially eroded and often eliminated. Two forces propel the legal profession towards this scenario: a market pull towards commoditisation and a pervasive development and uptake of information technology. At the same time, the book foresees new law jobs emerging which may be highly rewarding, even if very different from those of today.

The End of Lawyers represents a compelling vision of the future of the legal profession and a must-read for all lawyers. Indeed this book should be read by all those whose work touches on the law, and it offers much food for thought for anyone working in a professional environment.

The End of Lawyers?

Rethinking the nature of legal services

Revised Edition

Richard Susskind OBE

Introduction
1:The beginning of the end
The challenge for lawyers
Four thoughts
A journey
The Future of Law
Progress over the last decade
The flow of this book
2:The evolution of legal service
The path to commoditisation
The pull of the market
Shedding light on various conundra
Decomposing legal service
Resourcing the evolution
Two case studies
3:Trends in technology
Exponential growth
Information satisfaction
Community and collaboration
The net generation
Clicks and mortals
Disruptive technologies
4:Disruptive legal technologies
Document assembly
Online community
e-learning
Personalised alerting
The electronic market
Online legal guidance
Embedded legal content
5:The client grid
The asymmetry of lawyers and clients
The law firm grid
The client grid
Three possible models
Meeting clients' challenges
The role of clients
6:Resolving and dissolving disputes
Litigation support revisited
Electronic disclosure
Electronic filing
Case management
Online dispute resolution
Dispute avoidance
7:Access to law and to justice
Public information policy
Critique
Current systems
Promulgation
A law unto itself?
Afterword

The End of Lawyers?

Rethinking the nature of legal services

Revised Edition

Richard Susskind OBE

Author Information

Richard Susskind OBE, IT Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales; Honorary and Emeritus Law Professor, Gresham College, London; Visiting Professor in Internet Studies, Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford University

The End of Lawyers?

Rethinking the nature of legal services

Revised Edition

Richard Susskind OBE

Reviews and Awards

"Anyone who wishes to understand where the profession has been and where it is going shoudl read the book" - Jonathon Groner, www.freedman-chicago.com

"Review from hardback edition His advice cannot be ignored by those lawyers who want to survive the economic turmoil" - Joshua Rozenberg, The Law Society Gazette

"I feel Susskind has made an excellent start by opening up the debate'" - Phillip Taylor, The Barrister

"The End of Lawyers is a fascinating and timely book" - Bruce MacEwen, Adam Smith Esq

"This book is addictive! Susskind has done it again with an extremely engaging blend of advice." - Patrick McKenna

"I believe anyone working in a professional service form could find useful examples of what can be accomplished in their own profession, throughout this book" - Patrick McKenna

"Richard Susskind's predictions of 1996, in The Future of Law, can now be seen to be coming to pass. I am confident that those in this new work, where he looks even further into the future, will likewise come to pass, given the extraordinary depth of knowledge, analysis and reasoning he has brought to bear and which this book demonstrates on every page" - Lord Saville of Newdigate, President of the Society for Computers and Law

"Richard Susskind speaks to the issues facing law firms big and small, in-house legal teams, legal publishers, training establishments and individual lawyers. He has a lucid style informed by personal experience and observation and deep connections within the legal profession. This book should be compulsory reading for all who care about the future of the law." - Mark Harding, Group General Counsel, Barclays

"If you don't quickly absorb what Susskind has to say, you'll already be behind in adapting to the modern legal profession, in-house as well as private practice. You can't and won't agree with everything here, but you must read it all and think about it all. It would be irresponsible (and self-destructive) to avoid reflecting on the voluminous arguments and examples presented here." - David Maister, consultant and author, The Trusted Advisor

"Susskind remains the only the writer today who can put the future of lawyers and the legal professions on the agenda at the highest levels of government, the judiciary, the legal institutions, major corporations - and law firms" - Charles Christian, editor, Legal Technology Insider

"In The End of Lawyers?, Richard Susskind brilliantly and passionately shows us how to think about practising law in the 21st century. The book's inspirational outlook and yet practical approach make it a must-read for any lawyer aspiring to achieve professional success and make a difference for his or her clients." - Dov Seidman, Chairman and CEO, LRN, and author, HOW