Attending the Future Lawyer UK conference reinforced a crucial shift I’ve been seeing: legal teams are moving beyond operational support and embracing a strategic role within tech-driven businesses. From leveraging data for value creation to rethinking contract structures, the legal function is transforming. Here are my biggest takeaways from the event – and how legal tech is enabling this transition.
Legal Tech: The Right Problem, The Right Solution
The legal tech market is evolving rapidly, but one fundamental question remains: What problem are you actually trying to solve? More than ever, the focus is on tools that integrate effectively into existing workflows rather than adding complexity. For legal teams in the tech industry, that means adopting solutions that enhance efficiency, compliance, and collaboration – without disrupting what already works.
Legal as a Value Driver, Not a Cost Center
Historically, legal teams have been viewed as a necessary expense. That mindset is shifting, with data reinforcing legal’s role as a value creator. Secure, compliant products enhance brand trust, well-structured contracts improve customer retention, and legal insights drive smarter business decisions. At Stelia, I see this firsthand – leveraging data to showcase legal’s strategic impact is long overdue. 
NDAs: More Than Just Paperwork
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are often dismissed as routine formalities, but they serve a deeper purpose. Beyond the legal protections they provide, NDAs signal commitment and trust between potential partners. At Stelia, we view them as a foundation for strong business relationships, and it’s encouraging to see this perspective gaining traction industry-wide.
Future Contracts: From Documents to Data
Are contracts becoming obsolete? While the traditional contract structure isn’t disappearing overnight, there’s growing momentum toward data-driven negotiations. Legal teams are increasingly using structured playbooks and automation to streamline contract workflows. At Stelia, we leverage legal tech to standardise and document preferences, ensuring agility in negotiations. The potential for machine-readable contracts and dataset-based agreements is enormous – reducing disputes and saving valuable court time.
The Near Future
Legal teams in tech are stepping into a more strategic role, and the right technology can accelerate this shift. By leveraging automation, data, and integrated legal tech solutions, legal departments can drive business value rather than just mitigating risk.
Want to learn more? Feel free to reach out at connect@stelia.io to learn more about our distributed intelligence platform and how it can accelerate your AI projects.
By Imogen Armstrong, Chief Legal Officer for Stelia
