“It’s really important that law is able to keep up with (technological developments), and by doing law and science, you’re in a better position to interpret and know those things,” Ms. Rahme said. She said her STEM degree proved attractive to companies during the competitive internship process.
“A diverse skill set”
Another legal science student, Michelle Chen, agrees. “I think there’s definitely something (law firms) see in us…it’s probably that diversity of skills and openness to change,” she said.
Riley Vaughan, a final year legal engineering student, said the dual degree was “a huge differentiator”. “It’s instantly something new and different, rather than just a standard business degree,” he said.
Beyond the novelty factor, using STEM-trained lawyers would be helpful to businesses learning to understand the impact of technology on the future of legal work.
“The legal profession will not be left behind, but will be completely transformed by artificial intelligence and other technologies,” Mr. Vaughan said.
“Businesses are starting to understand that if you have a technological understanding, you will not only be able to do your own work more efficiently, but also connect better with modern customers.”
With renewable energy, healthcare and intellectual property taking up a growing share of large firms’ businesses, the ability to offer their clients lawyers with technical expertise and sector-specific knowledge creates a competitive advantage.
“No one wants to be stuck with a dusty old lawyer,” Mr. Vaughan said.
saving time and money
Students said they have already used their technical skills to create the kind of efficiencies cost-conscious law firms seek.
Mr Vaughan wrote code to remove footnotes from High Court judgments, reducing a five-hour task to 10 minutes. Chen was able to save her company the cost of hiring a specialist consultant on a case by using her scientific training to more effectively research and interpret information from scientific journals.
Students agreed that their background in science and technology made them less likely to fear the impact of artificial intelligence and automation on the legal profession and their own future careers.
Madeline Kan, in the fourth year of a law engineering degree, said her background in technology made her more confident about the future uses and benefits of AI in the legal field.
“If you’re able to understand certain parts of the code and why certain mechanisms are in place, there’s a lot less scaremongering,” she said.
