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Our guest today is Akber Datoo, CEO and Founder of D2 Legal Technology, and both technologist and private practice lawyer, adviser to financial institutions on how process re-engineering, use of legal technology and data can optimise business decisions and provide solutions to challenges.
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In this special episode we are joined by Akber Datoo, who discusses his career path as well as the future trends of the use of technology in law and in the businesses that lawyers support.\xa0 Akber talks about his initial studies in computer science, early career roles exploring banking technologies, his decision to retrain and qualify as a lawyer, and then applying this knowledge back in the financial services sector.\xa0 Also, Akber reflects how critical it was to work across the functions of a business to understand one is solving not just for legal problems, but business problems that just happen to have a legal component to them, using data and technology.
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Akber explains the importance of following one\u2019s passion, being curious, and of understanding the broader principles of one\u2019s area of expertise: challenging and asking \u201cWhy\u2026?\u201d things are done in certain ways, to drive better approaches.\xa0 In the discussion Akber also explores the cultural differences he noticed between sectors such as law, banking and technology.\xa0

In particular, how does innovation happen?\xa0 How comfortable are people with \u201cfailing\u201d, so that learning from initial attempts at a new solution are welcomed and celebrated, helping an organisation reach to an optimised and more efficient outcome.\xa0

Key skills Akber highlights include the importance of understanding the \u201croot cause\u201d of challenges, and also remaining sharply focused on the business, rather than the legal problem, in creating value for one\u2019s clients. Collaborating across functions and building one\u2019s own multi-disciplinary expertise to support one\u2019s career choices are also highlighted.\xa0

Actions and resources for listeners:
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Look at these insights into technology and law, and read one which interests you \u2013 and for all you studying currently, into which modules and assignments can you connect some of the insights?

Look at the transferable skills from the world of Computer Science.\xa0 Which of these are important to develop in the legal sector, to help clients to solve their business (not just legal) challenges? \xa0