Independent Australian law firm Lander & Rogers is set to embark on the next phase of its innovation agenda in 2018 with the appointment of barrister and lecturer, and expert in technology and the law, Dr. Philippa Ryan to its Board.
Dr Ryan is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Technology Sydney. She teaches Disruptive Technologies and the Law, Commercial Equity, and in the Master of Data Science and Technology course. She also teaches in the NSW Bar Practice Course. At UTS, her law students develop apps for social justice and learn how to use writing analysis software powered by artificial intelligence. Her PhD formulated a new classification for the liability of third parties to a breach of trust, and she is presently researching the regulation and status of cryptocurrencies, as well as smart contracts and trust protocols enabled by blockchain technology. She is a member of the Standards Australia Blockchain Technical Committee.
A regular media commentator and author on subjects such as technology and the law, blockchain and bitcoin technology and regulation, fintech startups, digital economies, and artificial intelligence, Dr Ryan is passionate about the role technology has to play in the evolution of business and the law, and innovation in legal services delivery.
In announcing the appointment, Genevieve Collins, Chair of the Board and leader of the firm's Working Smarter Committee, said the Board is very much looking forward to working with Dr Ryan to inspire and promote an innovation culture at the firm.
“Philippa is an impressive and engaging person. She has great expertise and shares our collective passion for improving client experience, and working with new technologies to enable smarter, more effective, and innovative ways of working.
“I have no doubt that our firm, our clients, and our people will benefit greatly from Dr Ryan’s expertise and tutorship as we continue adapting to a new normal and new ways of doing things,” she continued.
Dr Ryan joins Ms Collins and other current members of the Board: Chief Executive Partner Andrew Willder, joint head of the Family and Relationship Law group Mark Parker, and head of the Commercial Disputes group Greg McKenzie. She is filling a Board member vacancy created when a former long-term board member, Greg McCann, retired.
Ms Collins also discussed today a very recent initiative implemented under the firm’s innovation agenda — the implementation of a working smarter platform. This has been rolled out across the firm nationally, modernising new business intake, reducing commercial risk, and driving effective process and design execution.
“This is an impressive advancement in innovative technology and another evolution in our commitment to improved client experience.
"Great client service isn’t just about the tangible services we provide. It’s also about using our knowledge about our clients' businesses, industries, and commercial drivers to enhance how we work with them to achieve great things together,” Ms Collins said.
