President’s Message: Helping Lawyers Navigate the New, Together
As a tidal wave of new technological tools reshapes the landscape, leaving lawyers to figure out how this groundswell might support, rather than supplant, them, the OBA has been steady ground – advocating for the space where lawyers are central to service delivery; providing the understanding that will empower them to chart an effective course; and seeking the expertise of innovators known for leading through change. In this effort, LDD has been a critical ally.
With a tidal wave of new technological tools and applications coming to market over the past few years – and an accompanying cacophony of voices touting benefits and issuing cautions – comes a lot of confusion and trepidation as lawyers figure out how this groundswell might elevate their work rather than supplant them. More than merely a beacon, the OBA has been the steady ground for lawyers finding their footing in this changing environment – advocating for the space where lawyers are central to service delivery and providing the understanding that will empower them to chart an effective course. But the Association hasn’t done it alone. We’ve sought the expertise and support of innovators known for leading through change – those with the experience and vision to appreciate the powerful pairing of trusted lawyer skill with transformative technological tools. In this effort, LawyerDoneDeal (LDD) has been a critical ally, allowing us to do this work for the profession
In 2020, when the justice sector advanced modernization at breakneck speed – out of sheer force of necessity, in a new world – the legal profession looked to those who had been devising solutions well before the need became pressing. Not coincidentally, it was that year when then OBA President, now Superior Court Justice Colin Stevenson bestowed the OBA’s President’s Award upon LDD founder Maurizio Romanin for blazing trails in innovation and providing the tools, know-how and platforms that would bring lawyers up to speed right alongside him.
He was cited at that time for his forward-looking leadership in real-estate law, his influence in the implementation of electronic registration for title documents, and for his game-changing work at the helm of LDD in providing web-based productivity tools and systems to Canadian lawyers. Importantly, all these achievements were in service of a central goal, executed with uncommon insight: leading lawyers to new heights in service efficiency and client satisfaction with time-saving technology.
Since then, as the age of AI has advanced, LDD and the OBA have developed new ways for lawyers to optimize their practices through use of effective tools and to remain in the driver’s seat as the Lawyer-Technology partnership evolves. Intensifying and amplifying this shared and abiding commitment, last year, the OBA and LDD entered into a unique partnership as LDD became an exclusive organizational sponsor through our Lawyers in Partnership with Innovation (LPI) initiative.
This partnership is significant for the practical support it lends to all that the OBA does to equip lawyers with understanding and avenues to make best use of new technology – including offerings ushered forth under our Real Intelligence on AI banner – as well as to our organization-wide work to expand and innovate member services and to spearhead advocacy that advances the interests of the profession and the public we serve.
But LDD’s LPI sponsorship has further-reaching implications. It recognizes a partner who has, from the get-go, consistently carved out the space for lawyers to grow – by giving them the benefit of tools that would solidify and expand their impact – and it unites forces in creating a legal-practice future where lawyers flourish amid the winds of change.
