Wouldn't you like to peek into the future to see what a lawyer's life would be in 20 or
even 100 years? Luckily, several well-known futurists have launched their guided tours into the future of the legal profession, so buckle up and prepare for some time travel.
The new issue of The Complete Lawyer focuses on "Viewing The Law In 2020." Jonathan Peck delivers the good news that "The Knowledge Revolution Will Make You Healthier":
In 2029, an American will wake up in the morning, do Pilates, take a couple of pills, put on his suit and head to work. The pills will dissolve and be absorbed into his bloodstream, sending nanoparticle probes to various parts of his body. These nanoparticles will collect information about his health and transmit the data to sensors in the man’s jacket; the data will then be recorded on his electronic medical record accessible online. If any irregularities are observed, a computer program will search information from resources all over the web and deliver health recommendations specifically tailored to suit his genome.
Peter Bishop reads "An Open Letter From A Retired Lawyer To His Great-Grandson, Who Is Turning One":
We liked being "unplugged" once in a while, but today of course that is unheard of. At the same time, your mother’s generation developed customs that solved some of the problems that we found so annoying, like too many emails, cell phones ringing in the middle of meetings, and wireless connections that would not connect. The implant that you will receive at your Bar Mitzvah will handle all your communication needs. It’s amazing, but "thinking will make it so" in your world. You will be truly wired, all the time, but you can control your connectivity to the outside world as easily as you control your hand or foot, once you get the hang of it. Truly amazing!
Bill Cobb asks the question "Are You Ready For The Revolution In Legal Services?"
Lawyers will acquire problem-solving skill sets using multiple skills not taught in law schools, such as client relationship development and project management. They will also be able to become more efficient in the way they deliver legal and legal related services.
Charles F. Robinson reveals his vision of how "Elder Law Attorneys Can Help Humanize The Future Of Health Care." Read his predictions and learn about three crises that are going to influence the elder law practice in 2020.
At the same time, in London, The Times offers the extracts from Richard Susskind's forthcoming book "The End of Lawyers?" and invites you to join the debate over the future of the legal profession "Will lawyers exist in 100 years?" (Hat tip to Idealawg). You can read what others think in the comments and share your opinions. Frances Gibb writes:
In a new book (to be published next year by Oxford University Press) Susskind argues that lawyers and the legal profession in their present shape face extinction – or at least are "on the brink of fundamental transformation". He sees a future, as he puts it, when "conventional legal advisers will be much less prominent in society than today, and, in some walks of life, will have no visibility at all".
How do you envision the legal profession in 20 or 100 years?
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