Gilbert + Tobin has responded to the disruption of the legal market by partnering with NewLaw online firm LegalVision.
According to Gilbert + Tobin managing partner
Danny Gilbert, a response to legal industry flux is critical. The firm had looked a number of partnership options with legal tech companies before settling on LegalVision. He said G+T will ultimately look at using the partnership in order to present collaborative legal solutions to clients.
“We’ll begin with a cross-over in ideas – sharing what we’re seeing, what clients are looking for in our respective markets, and how each of us is using new technologies and processes to meet these needs,” Gilbert told
Australasian Lawyer.
Focused on high volume, low margin legal work, Gilbert said that online NewLaw services are an innovative part of the legal market.
“Our involvement can give us insight about these innovations and an understanding of how they might change all parts of the market,” he said.
“Secondly, we will look to find ways of helping our clients deal with their higher volume, more standardised legal needs.”
Gilbert + Tobin chief operating officer Sam Nickless will join the firm’s board as part of the strategic investment partnership.
“G+T wants to be an active contributor. With Sam Nickless, we can provide additional value as well as the connection to identify and act on opportunities for the firms to work together,” Gilbert said.
For LegalVision, the investment by a major law firm is an exciting new pathway.
“This was a strategic raise for LegalVision, giving us the opportunity to bring in Gilbert + Tobin as an investor and partner,” said LegalVision CEO Lachlan McKnight.
“While SMEs are our core focus and important to our continued growth, we're also looking to provide services to larger clients on a wide range of legal needs, which is the whole idea of working with Gilbert +Tobin.”
