Student-led innovation podcast series launched at Linklaters

Magic circle firm Linklaters has launched a new innovation podcast series, Linkubator, aimed at students who want to develop their understanding of how the legal sector is being transformed by innovation and emerging technologies.

Produced and hosted by Linklaters trainee Hamza Zaveri, each episode will feature a conversation between an industry expert and a Linklaters specialist, with topics including design thinking, data analytics, smart contracts and AI. Among the guests are:

• Nicole Bradick, founder and chief-executive officer of Theory and Principle, a New York-based legal technology product design and development firm;

• Richard Mabey, co-founder and chief-executive officer of Juro, a cloud-based contract management platform; and

• Richard Cohen, legal product architect and general counsel at Nivaura, a digital platform that streamlines and automates the process of issuing financial instruments.

Global head of innovation at the firm Shilpa Bhandarkar supports the podcast. She said: “Innovation at Linklaters is all about harnessing the creativity of our people and empowering them to make the change they want to see happen. Working with Hamza as he brought this fantastic initiative to life exemplifies both the firm’s approach, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit of our people.”

Podcast host Zaveri explains his thought process behind developing the podcast and his intentions: “As a student, I didn’t have much insight into how technology was driving a huge amount of change in the legal industry. Once I started at Linklaters, I could see for myself the pace of innovation that is transforming how lawyers work, approach legal issues and advise their clients. I wished I had some of those insights before I came into the industry, and that’s how the concept of Linkubator came about.

“With the encouragement of senior partner Charlie Jacobs, the graduate recruitment team and the innovation team, we have brought together esteemed experts operating on the boundary between law and technology, alongside Linklaters specialists, for an exciting and fresh new podcast series. I hope it will help to shed light on some of the biggest trends in legal tech for those considering a career in law, as well as help to shape their commercial awareness.”

To listen to the seven-part podcast series head to the Linklater website. The episodes are also available on Apple and Spotify.