Innovation guided by people, process and technology is how the practice of business law is embracing the changing legal landscape. Students got an in-depth view of how it all works at the latest BizBasics session organized and hosted by Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP on February 25.

Firms have been challenged “to do different and to do better,” said Simon Wormwell, Osler’s Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer. “It’s incremental improvement that brings value.”  

The new industry trends, explained Simon, forced firms to change in response to disaggregated legal work, to face growth by alternative providers and to be in lock step with new technology. 

Jennifer Cao, Law’17, a junior associate with the firm, shared her insight about how technology has influenced and aided her own corporate practice. The innovations in technology and working models have, she said, “simultaneously created jobs for lawyers and facilitated existing ones. 

“How do you do due diligence without staying up until 3:00 am for two weeks?” she asked. “Technology!” It’s Osler’s own OWT department she credits for much of her ability to balance administrative tasks and substantive areas of her practice. Emphasizing her optimism about the changing legal landscape, Cao sees big firms using new methods in technology and process to meet young clients’ innovative digital needs, while still embracing a more traditional style for clients that prefer pen and paper. 
 
In this third of four sessions of this year’s Osler BizBasics series, Wormwell and Cao went on to explore the new sophistication of client demands and to discuss what big firms are doing to make the legal market more accessible. The series, now in its third year, provides first-year Queen’s Law students with foundational insight into the knowledge, skills and acumen necessary for the successful practice of business law. 

The continuing popularity of BizBasics is evident in the number of students who finish their first year with certificates in hand that recognize their participation in all four parts of the series. Julie Banting, Director of the CDO, predicts that the trend will continue this year with approximately 70 students receiving certificates. 

Shira Crawley, Law’21, who is on track to earn a certificate, says she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to see what the business law work environment entails. “My background is in health science, so to have the opportunity to dip my feet into business law at this early point in my law career opens a lot of doors.” 

After the first two sessions demystified the practice of business law, Crawley appreciates the way that that this session “gave a unique perspective on the innovative way that technology and new industry trends challenge professionals to think outside the box. It was encouraging to see a young lawyer like Jennifer Cao immersed in that process.” 

The final Osler BizBasics session of 2018-19, to be held on March 12, will feature Elli Weisbaum, a mindfulness practitioner and teacher.  

By Quinn Brown