‘There is no life without tech support but in this era of digitalization, there is no sphere, no aspect, no lifestyle and precisely no job without technology involved in it and law remains no exception to it.’ Digital technologies are ubiquitous and play a role in all domains of the law. There is a growing need for lawyers with firm knowledge and understanding of the workings of these tools and their impact on the law. Professionals with expertise in Law and Technology will become the policy- and lawmakers of the future, as well as tomorrow’s legal practitioners. This is the era of startups. No matter how rich or poor you are, if you have the right product/service, your startup can boom. Shows like Shark Tank have made us realise the power of startups. There have been many examples of startups that have been started by former lawyers and are now successes.
Here are few areas where the future tech lawyers can have a bigger ambit of exposure-
1. Data privacy Attorney- An unfortunate reality of the modern digital world is the constant threat of data breaches in both the private and public sectors. This makes data privacy into a critical subject, while increasing demand for attorneys who know this area well. Data privacy attorneys can help protect a company’s data, ensure compliance with privacy laws, and advise the company when responding to a security breach. Aspiring tech-lawyers still in law school should seek out specialized coursework in cybersecurity, privacy law, and other related topics that might be available.
2. eDiscovery Consultant- Electronic discovery, or eDiscovery, refers to the litigation discovery processes for electronically stored information (ESI). eDiscovery deals with the collection, preservation, and storage of electronic data — making tech know-how an absolute must. An eDiscovery consultant helps firms navigate the digital maze of this complex area. While there are some attorneys who specialize in eDiscovery, there are also many non-attorney roles in this field. It is a consulting career move, which means that you will be responsible for marketing yourself and keeping clients.
3. Writing and legal research work opportunity- There is a greater need for socio legal research and technology lawyers can choose the career opportunity of legal research and writing in the field of technology law. If you are a technology law enthusiast and love to do research and write on topics related to technology law, then you must take advantage of this career opportunity. All you need to do is read more and keep yourself updated with all the latest rules and regulations that are framed by policymakers. You can make your own personal blog and start writing blogs related to technology law. Centre your research around all the trending topics in the field of technology law and start writing blogs. You can also join any journal or any other website that publishes legal articles or blogs.
4. Fintech Lawyers/Consultancy - With the advent of cashless transactions and digital currency trading, technology is transforming the financial industry, and those who transact in these fields require legal advice and professional expertise. The lack of knowledge about these transactions, combined with the prevalence of cybercrime and scams, has resulted in many people being unable to earn a livelihood. When it comes to navigating the murky waters of financial technology, a knowledgeable legal advisor can be invaluable. The following is an example of how legal professionals could structure their careers to ensure that solutions are provided and that advisory roles are distributed so that they can advance their careers.
5. Intellectual Property Rights Lawyer - A thriving legal market for lawyers who specialize in protecting innovators' inventions and intellectual property is required in a country known for its tech capital and unicorns, as there is a constant influx of new technological discoveries. Technology thrives in an environment that protects, secures, and respects inventions and innovations, and laws are essential in creating and maintaining such an atmosphere. Those who specialize in Intellectual Property Law or Solicitors who specialize in this area (technology) can find a lucrative career path in ensuring that intellectual property in technology is properly protected and secured through the legal system.
About the Author: Nitesh Kumar - Assistant Professor of Law, Vijaybhoomi University