Less than 24 hours before OU Law is “wheels-up” on our way to Chicago for the 2019 ABA TECHSHOW, and I could not be more excited. Not only will this be my first time attending the conference, but this will actually be my first trip to Chicago, assuming layovers at O’Hare don’t count.

Chicago has been on my “short list” of cities to visit for a few years, but especially since starting law school. Chicago is one of the country’s most prominent hubs for intellectual property law – my chosen specialty – making it an even more exciting trip outside of the great things I’ve heard about last year’s TECHSHOW experience.

Prior to attending law school, technology and the efficient integration of technology, was a major part of my work as an electrical engineer; both in the design process and the nature of the projects I was responsible for. I have seen first hand the efficiencies that can be realized through thoughtful integration of technology and developing a working knowledge of how the technology operates. Alternatively, I have seen the handicaps on productivity as a result of poorly-executed integration projects.

In transitioning into the legal field, I am looking forward to learning more about the different ways technology can be used to maximize the use of available resources, while keeping the focus on client interaction and a user-friendly interface.

It is my hope, through a strategic use of legal technology, I can improve interactions with future clients. While form based legal practice has been a recent trend, I believe there is a balance between reducing inefficiencies in document drafting while maintaining a client specific solution to their legal needs.

I can’t think of a better opportunity to start this exploration than TECHSHOW in Chicago. Not only to begin networking with current professionals in the legal technology field, but also to attend the conference sessions being offered, specifically those related to design thinking, practice management for efficiencies, and how technological advances can be made to improve both the internal process side and the client interface.

I consider it a privilege to attend the 2019 ABA TECHSHOW as a representative of OU Law and am ready to get this thing started!

Sydney N. Forsander, P.E., 1L

Articles Editor, Technology and Legal Innovation Society at the OU College of Law