The Times quotes Joe Cohen and Hasan Almosoy on our Russell Up scheme and how AI is changing the way lawyers work

As part of its 2024 Student Law supplement, The Times explores the theme of AI in an article, stating that "love it or loathe it [...] artificial intelligence is changing the way that lawyers work - and consequently the way that law firms are recruiting and training the next generation".

The piece goes onto explain that AI is both an opportunity and threat for firms. Just as it has the ability to rapidly speed up the tasks performed by lawyers, there are also potential issues in areas such as potentially biased data and inaccuracy, and raises issues around confidentiality and ethical standards.

To counter these risks, The Times explains that firms are increasingly looking for tech-savvy trainees and apprentices who are able to harness the benefits of emerging technology, as well as being acutely aware of the risks.

In the article, Joe Cohen, Director of Advanced Client Solutions, comments on our Firm's 'Russell Up' scheme - a programme launched earlier this year under which our trainees will deliver four innovation projects throughout their two-year training contract. Hasan Almosoy, an Associate in our Financial Services Regulation & Funds team who has been through the Russell Up scheme himself, also shares first-hand experiences.

Joe explains that several projects have been completed and adopted under the Russell Up scheme, including creating robots that digest court documents and automatically schedule deadline reminders, and other systems that summarise judgments or perform document reviews. As the scheme continues, he hopes that the programme will not only give recruits “first-hand experience of delivering their own innovation projects”, but have the effect of “organically creating a creative culture” across the Firm. 

Hasan adds: "Having a meaningful impact on the firm’s innovative development through the Russell Up project was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my training contract."

Read the full article in The Times here (subscription required).