b) Process Examples of process innovation in Welsh law firms and law firms with a substantial presence in Wales are scarce. Eversheds Sutherland has been using Luminance, a leading machine learning contract-analysis software, since 2018. 182 Further, the firm has partnered with Open Text, in 2017, to create E/S Locate, an e- discovery platform used internally for technology-assisted document review. 183 Blake Morgan, in 2018, transitioned to the Peppermint software platform to achieve efficiencies in time recording, billing, and archiving. 184 Some law firms have invested in facilities in order to provide legal advice through a different medium, such as Gamlins Law, whose move to a new head office in 2021 provided the opportunity for the Crime team to add a dedicated video conferencing facility for online hearings. 185 c) Position Our research has identified three main areas of position innovation: (i) subscription-based services, (ii) legal education and collaboration, (iii) demonstrable commitments to legal innovation and technology. Subscription-based services denote a new approach to the legal market but appear limited to major law firms that can leverage highly-specialised expertise in particular areas: this suggests that subscription models may come with high initial investment costs (to create the bundle of services needed) and be accompanied by equally high ongoing costs (to support a large client based on an ongoing basis), which are significant obstacles for small- and medium-sized law firms. The rise in forums, podcasts and other initiatives meant to increase access to legal guidance and foster collaboration is an important positional development. It appears to lower barriers to engagement, while providing opportunities for law firms to reach new clients and strengthen their brand, leveraging technologies that are widely used and available to consumers and companies. Similarly important is the commitment to legal innovation and technology that is evidenced by awards, marketing and recruitment. We found several examples of position innovation in this respect, although these exhibit the usual bias towards South Wales and major law firms. Overall, it appears that some law firms in Wales seek to diversify their innovation strategies, including by transforming their engagement with existing and potential clients, the general public, and society. They also appear to value their reputation as innovators or early technology adopters. However, these strategies 182 Global News, “Eversheds Sutherland joins forces with Luminance” (16 July 2018), available at https://www.legalitprofessionals.com/global-news/10776-eversheds-sutherland-joins-forces-with-luminance. 183 Artificial Lawyer, “Eversheds Launches Own eDiscovery Platform with OpenText” (18 May 2017), available at https://www.artificiallawyer.com/2017/05/18/eversheds-launches-own-ediscovery-platform-with-opentext/. 184 Legal Futures, “Blake Morgan live on the Peppermint Platform” (9 April 2018), available at https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/associate-news/blake-morgan-live-on-the-peppermint-platform. 185 Lisa Baker, “Gamlins Law crime team invests in new technology” (News From Wales, 13 May 2021), available at https://newsfromwales.co.uk/gamlins-law-crime-team-invests-in-new-technology/.
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