Alana Ashe is excited for the profession's future as the continued integration of AI creates more possibilities
One of the biggest nights for New Zealand’s legal profession draws closer as we are just a couple of short months away from the 2024 NZ Law Awards gala night. Earlier this month, the 2024 NZ Law Awards Excellence Awardees were revealed to great excitement, ramping up the anticipation for the reveal of the industry’s best.
Last week, Alana Ashe, general manager of operations for event partner LEAP NZ, told us to expect “a vibrant celebration of legal excellence”. In the second part of this interview, Ashe shares to NZ Lawyer why LEAP is putting the spotlight on mid-size law firms, and why the future of the legal profession is promising.
What are you expecting from this year’s crop of nominees?
We expect this year’s nominees for the NZ Law Awards will showcase an impressive range of talent and innovation within the legal profession. We look forward to seeing firms and individuals who have excelled in their practice areas and demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to legal services. As the legal landscape evolves, especially in technology integration and client service, nominees will highlight their adaptability and excellence in navigating these changes.
With fierce competition on the horizon, we’re eager to see how this year's nominees have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in their fields.
LEAP is sponsoring the Mid-size Law Firm of the Year award – what makes the company want to spotlight this particular category?
Sponsoring the Mid-size Law Firm of the Year award aligns perfectly with our mission at LEAP - to help the lawyers who help people. Mid-size firms often occupy a unique position within the legal market, combining the agility and personalised service of smaller firms with the reach and resources of larger ones. Technology like LEAP empowers firms like these to compete with larger firms, particularly AI, which reportedly saves our law firms up to 2 hours per user per day.
Highlighting these firms allows us to recognise their significant contributions and innovations. We’re particularly interested in celebrating firms that are effectively leveraging technology to enhance their services and drive growth. By spotlighting this category, LEAP aims to acknowledge the crucial role mid-size firms play in the legal ecosystem and encourage ongoing excellence and innovation in this segment.
What is your outlook on the future of the legal profession?
The future of the legal profession looks incredibly promising, marked by rapid technological advancements and evolving client expectations. As law firms increasingly embrace AI and productivity solutions, we expect to see greater efficiency, enhanced client service, and new opportunities for innovation. As the profession explores AI on a more practical level, we expect some to resist change as others adapt to maximise its benefits.
While these changes will bring challenges, they also offer exciting possibilities for growth and development. Overall, we’re optimistic about the future and confident that the legal profession will continue to thrive and evolve in response to these dynamic changes.
The 2024 NZ Law Awards winners will be announced at a black-tie gala ceremony taking place on 28 November at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland. The event will be hosted by comedy star Urzila Carlson. The venue will open for networking drinks at 7pm, with the awards ceremony beginning at 7:30pm. To book a table, click here.
NZ Lawyer would like to extend special thanks to event partner LEAP Legal Software, as well as to event sponsors LexisNexis, Chisholm Clarke, Realaml, Robert Walters, Fluid Legal Recruitment, James & Wells, Russell McVeagh, Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, and Artemis Executive Recruitment for supporting this event and the recognition of legal excellence.
