In October 2019, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada amended its Model Code rule on competence to include explicit reference to technological competence. Several provincial and territorial law societies, including Alberta, have incorporated this amendment into their respective codes. The fact that there now exists a formal duty of technological competence raises the question of what, exactly, does this duty entail? What does this duty require from lawyers?
We were so pleased to have Professor Amy Salyzyn present for us the “6As” taxonomy for thinking about lawyer technological competence – modern lawyers need be Automated, Aware (of technological risks), operate as Avatars (i.e. competently deliver services digitally), use AI to Augment their legal practices, be Acquainted with emerging AI technologies, and be Attentive to how AI in being used in the justice system.
Professor Salyzyn is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section at the University of Ottawa and a Faculty member of the Centre for Law, Technology and Society. She received her J.S.D from Yale Law School for her dissertation exploring the judicial regulation of lawyers in common law jurisdictions. She also received her LL.M. from Yale Law School and her J.D. from the University of Toronto. She has written extensively in the area of legal ethics, lawyer regulation, the use of technology in the delivery of legal services, and access to justice.
This webinar was part of our Alberta Legal Technology Conference. Click here for the on-demand program.
