The Wadlow Solicitors partner reminds his peers that clients come to be heard and understood
For Blake Wadlow, legal practice is more than just about understanding the law – equally important is understanding the people in the system.
Earlier this month, the Wadlow Solicitors partner talked about why being a lawyer means offering comfort, strength and hope to people; in the second part of this interview, he explains why it’s crucial for lawyers to be more empathic and discusses producing good legal work in the age of instant gratification.
What should the profession focus more on?
I think the profession would do well to remember that the law is more than the application of rules. We must remember that our clients come to us not only for legal solutions, but to be heard and understood. We cannot serve our clients very well, if we do not understand both the law and the people that act within it. Too often, the profession is in such a rush to resolve problems that we forget to listen. We owe it to the profession, and to our clients, to be more empathic.
To junior lawyers I would add: don’t be afraid to take on more difficult tasks and don’t be too nervous to appear in court. My advice is that we need to continue to challenge ourselves and take on new and demanding tasks in order to continue to strengthen our skills.
What challenges are particularly pressing in the country’s legal industry?
We are living in a fast-paced age of instant gratification - where clients have been conditioned to want answers now and solutions yesterday. The challenge is to meet those demands, and manage those expectations, without sacrificing good legal work. The profession must find a way to balance urgency with quality – because ultimately speed is meaningless if it comes at the cost of justice.
What are your thoughts on new technology and its impact on the legal profession?
Technology, particularly, AI will inevitably transform the way we work. Many routine tasks will become faster, and I suspect legal drafting will be increasingly undertaken by AI. But being a good lawyer is more than just process – it’s about trust, empathy and the human ability to interpret not just the facts, but the feelings behind them. I suspect AI is going to have difficulty incorporating that personal piece, that one-to-one interaction. I think lawyers need to focus more on developing those “soft skills” that include interpersonal connection, social psychology and effective communication. Lawyers who can develop these sorts of skills will be able to thrive in this new landscape.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
This year is all about building on all the momentum we’ve created here at Wadlow Solicitors. With the very recent move into our newly purchased premises and the addition of some fantastic new people to the team, there is an exciting sense of energy and shared purpose. I look forward to settling into our new office space and I’m excited to see our team at Wadlow Solicitors grow even more, not just in size, but in skills and experience.
