Our Mission

 

The city of Toronto is a leader in the field of legal technology and legal innovation. Many of the cutting-edge technologies driving the growth of the profession have been conceived of and developed in our backyard. University of Toronto students, staff, and faculty have been at the forefront of this global shift in the legal profession, whether through new ideas, publications, or ventures.

 

The Future of Law Lab is a hub of interdisciplinary inquiry and activity - from academic and guest talks, to workshops and events, to externships for students - providing initiatives and information about the changing face of the legal profession. The Lab will promote, support, and develop programming relating to the intersection of law, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. The University of Toronto is a hub of knowledge and innovation, and the Future of Law Lab is built on the same ethos.

How do we accomplish our mission?

WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

The Future of Law Lab provides initiatives ranging from speaker series, hack-a-thons, workshops, and more. 

Check out our What's Happening page for more information on upcoming events.

 

COURSES & FACULTY RESEARCH

COURSES & FACULTY RESEARCH

The Future of Law Lab spotlights and supports the many courses offered at the Faculty that examine the future of law, ranging from Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to Data Governance, to Law and Emerging Technologies. 

The Faculty also has world-renowned Faculty members who are investigating the questions that will drive society’s responses to technology and its impacts. Check our Twitter for links to recent publications.

 

CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

The Future of Law Lab promotes experiential and cross-disciplinary learning as an opportunity for students to develop their skillsets, both during the academic year and in the form of summer employment.

What is the Future of Law Lab Focused On?

The Future of Law Lab’s activities will focus on five key themes: 

1. The Legal Industry

 

How will the profession change amid new developments in law, policy, regulation, business models, delivery methods, partnerships, and global competition? How will law firms be structured? What will the profession look like and which skills will lawyers need to thrive in the future? 

2. Technology

 

How will technology affect the lives of citizens and how will the legal system need to respond? How will technology affect the way laws are made and how they are understood by citizens? How will technology change the legal profession and the way legal services are delivered? How might direct-to-consumer legal technology services impact the profession? What role will data analytics, machine-learning, and artificial intelligence play? 

3. Innovation

 

How will legal processes evolve in the coming years? How can we best develop laws and technologies that will benefit society? How can lawyers better deliver value to their clients? How can we cultivate a spirit of innovation in law students today? 

4. Entrepreneurship

 

What do entrepreneurs need to know about the law to set themselves up for success? How will legal policy influence entrepreneurial ventures? How can small business owners better interact with the law? How can we encourage creativity and experimentation among law students? 

5. Access to Justice

 

Can we redesign the justice system to better suit the needs of Canadians?