A New Dawn

I am excited about this year, the year 2023. I have a lot of things coming to fruition that I look forward to sharing soon.

I want to kick off this year by sharing some thoughts on my mind as this year begins in earnest.

1) The legal industry needs all sorts of people with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, skills, and perspectives. Do not be led astray by those who push you away for having unusual experience, experience that is not law-related, or thoughts that others find disagreeable or ideas that some dismiss as seemingly impossible. The impossible is often possible.?

2) Technology remains a force. Rather than continue to resist technology, embrace it. Know, though, that people are what allow for technology to have the impact that it can does have: both the people who create the technology and, critically, the people who use the technology.?

3) Law schools. Law school is not the only path into the legal industry. I would not be where I am or doing what I do without meeting, connecting with, becoming friends with, and learning from those who didn’t go to law school and work in the legal sector.

4) Data continues to become ever more valuable. Technology continues to make strides in using data and applying analytics derived from data in increasingly powerful ways. Powerful doesn't necessarily mean just good or bad. There is often a fine line and a lot of gray between the two.

5) Others may seem like they are doing whatever they can to get you to be who they want you to be. Do not give in to them. Be who YOU want to be. Do what YOU want to do. Forge your own path. Conformity is overrated.?

6) People matter. Relationships matter. Do not squander any opportunities to learn from others and connect with others. Build and maintain your reputation. A good reputation combined with a powerful network of connections can be the greatest gift one can have.

7) Ask the question why. Ask it often. Listen to not just what is said in response but how it is said as well.

8) Curveballs are everywhere. You can either live in fear of them or accept them as part of living life. They are not all nasty curveballs and they can be deceiving in terms of their helpfulness.

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9) Legal tech isn’t just about technology. It’s also about those who create it, sell it, and use it to help others.

10) Take care of yourself. There is only one you. Make the most of yourself.

I look forward to sharing more about the projects I alluded to late last year in my next issue.

These include my forthcoming new website, some big and exciting writing projects, and some new services I will be offering to help others find their way in the legal tech ecosystem.

Stay tuned and, as always, thank you for your inspiration, insights, and support. I am not able to do what I do without all of you.

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