LegalTechTalk 2026: The Future Laywer Isn’t Who You Think It Is – Henry Nelson-Case – E02

You can hear Rob and Henry discussing:

Connect with Henry Nelson-Case here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrynelsoncase/

Transcript

Welcome to the Legally Speaking podcast sponsored by Clio recording live here at Legal Tech Talk 2026 and I’m joined by a very dear friend and fantastic guest, returning guest, name, title and organisation please. Hello Rob, thank you for having me. My name is Henry. I am a non-practicing lawyer, a content creator and a well-being advocate. You absolutely are and it’s incredible the work that you do and yeah, I just want to sort of say plus one to the great work you do, the authenticity you bring ⁓ in and around the world of law.

We’re here at Legal Tech Talk 2026. You and I were both here on year one. What’s brought you back? Obviously the Legally Speaking podcast. No, that aside. There’s just so many amazing people here to speak to, good friends to see, see what’s going on in the world of legal tech. And as always, a fun day out to see everybody. Yeah, absolutely. It’s great to see you are here in the media area with us. ⁓ this year, Legal Tech Talk all about transformation. in your view, what’s the single biggest shift?

Happening in legal industry right now that people perhaps can no longer afford to ignore? I think the obvious answer is obviously AI. Everybody’s talking about AI in the legal space and the legal tech space and how it’s being implemented across different firms at different times, is really interesting to see. And here at ⁓ Legal Tech Talk, there’s so much innovation going on. ⁓ It’s just about then how do we actually take this innovation and these solutions that are being put on offer and out to.

market, how do we actually bring them into the law firms and actually see the benefits of that? And also how does that help sort of young talent, the next generation of talent, and what does their roles look like with the implementation of all of that? Yeah, very true, because things will change, things will evolve naturally. I know you talk very openly and do great work on wellbeing, so I’d probably like to channel in on on this because what’s one legal problem or challenge perhaps it is well-being that you’re really passionate about solving and why does it truly

I think for me one of the biggest things is looking for and advocating for junior talent. Because when you are sort of that end of the profession, the power dynamic is very much stacked against you. And we are often taught just to get your heads down, grin and bear it, get on with it. And we we’ve all heard the horror stories from our supervising partners. It would say, when I was a junior we’d be doing X, Y, and Z. And it’s almost kind of that because that happened to us.

It needs to happen to you and we need keep going through that. So it’s harder for juniors to kind of advocate for themselves, but

Those that are more senior in the profession, they have the power to make change, they sign the checks, they make the decisions. So it’s actually about speaking with those higher up in the profession saying, come on, let’s actually do something. How can we help? sort of what changes can we actually make? Yeah, because if nothing changes, nothing changes. And I strongly agree with that, that generations gone past, why should it stay and sh why should people suffer? Why should people forego ⁓ family events or you know, why should they have such high anxiety levels coming to a Sunday evening?

That they’re worrying about going to work. Why can’t we fit change and you know bring that enjoyment? And you know, you speak very openly about this as as well. Just tell us more about the real sheer importance of this. Yeah, I think people people will leave the profession. We will see great talent leave the profession, which is really unfortunate. You’re what we’re seeing at the moment that we’ve got these amazing juniors come in, amazing trainees qualified, but actually they go off and leave. Yeah. They go off and do other things because they think

Is it actually worth it? Where is the value? Where is the sort of wh where was what I was promised? And I don’t I don’t have that. I don’t see that in my future.

Not gonna tolerate that anymore. And it’s really disappointing because these people could have had incredible careers. But if they’re not given the correct support, if they’re not given the safe space to kind of learn and grow, then that’s unfortunately what’s gonna happen. But I guess aside from that, you have the obvious that people will burn out, people’s mental health will take a toll, people’s physical health will take a toll. ⁓ and we’re seeing it in the legal press, people lawyers taking their own lives, it’s sad, and that’s the ultimate cost of ⁓ how stress for

And how sort of aggressive this profession can be. So true, and and I know you do a lot of work with with with Law Care and we’ve had ⁓ former CEO Elizabeth Rimmer come on to the great work as well and we know how under pressure they are in terms of being oversubscribed, you know, and the resources that they need, the extra funding to support the profession. So I think this is a a point that we can no longer you know we need to continue to stress. Okay, the human impact now. We’re at a conference which is all about technology, innovation, automation.

What’s the real human impact here? How will this potentially improve life of the lawyers? Hopefully looking at it from a more optimistic perspective, life for legal clients and overall society if we get it right with tech? Well, I think if you take legal tech talk, for example, what is that, like 5,000 attendees? That’s a lot of people. And I do think there is a real value in in-person events like this.

I think we’re seeing a growing shift towards community. Obviously you know with the legally speaking broadcast. Yep. In the incredible communities that you’re building, people really value that connection, but connection outside of the traditional sense. Yeah. outside of just sitting around having beers and talking about

pipeline and stuff, it’s actually getting to know people, getting to know what their problems are in terms of the workspace, kind of what could the solutions be, and actually really developing those relationships so we’re not kind of operating in kind of isolation. And and I think that’s where we’re going to see events. Hello. ⁓ events like this. ⁓ have such a huge importance because not only are there lawyers here, there are clients here, there are future clients here.

and I think it’s just that collaboration, and as you always say, collaboration is key. ⁓ actually collaboration is domination is your your your line. ⁓ and I I fundamentally agree with that. Yeah. No, and and that’s why we’ve been so aligned through over the years and it’s been great to see you carry that through into other cross industry work that you do as well, which is super well received. Okay, staying in your legal hat, if you have the attention of every managing partner, every law firm leader, general counsel, legal operations professional, watching and listening to this podcast right now.

What’s one action they should take over the next ninety days to prepare themselves for a better future? Talk to your juniors. Okay. That’ll be my biggest thing. Ask them what they can do to support them, not just in terms of like well being and stuff, but also around sort of actually practicing what tools, what solutions would they like and how can they kind of benefit from that. I think no one appreciates more being seen, heard and value. So talking, listening to them and actually then showing them that. And actually do something. Don’t just say, what can we do and then to be like lol Joe?

We’re to ignore you, actually implement changes. Yeah, very well said. Okay, a conviction question now. Who? You can be as controversial as you like. What’s one belief about the legal profession, legal technology, future of law that you hold very strongly that most people will disagree with? ⁓ that I hold very strongly that most people would disagree with. I don’t think people would disagree with

What do you I think I think the biggest thing I would say is that you can be successful without being a dick. And I think that’s not controversial. I think people wouldn’t necessarily disagree with that. But in the legal profession it’s so kind of cutthroat or it’s so

It from from even from a training contract it’s your on a two-year job interview when you’re applying for training contracts on your LPC it’s why have they got one? Why don’t I have one and you’re just kind of against each other all the time and actually it doesn’t need to be like that. Yeah, yeah. Switch the narrative and actually if you do, good things happen as a result of it. And the point of nothing changes nothing changes. Let’s change those old habits, those old ways and create a nicer environment where we all can win together. Okay, a final question. You know the show is all around inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures on legal speaker.

So what one behaviour, mindset or skill you believe will separate tomorrow’s legal leaders from everyone else? ⁓

Aside from you can be successful and kind, they’re not mutually exclusive. I think we’re at legal tech tool, so utilising technology in a way that actually adds value and not just using it for the sake of using it, ⁓ I think can really go a long way. Yeah, well said. Okay. Before we let you go, where can people I’m not going anywhere. I sat here all day. Yeah, I mean we could chat the breeze. I mean you’ve done so many incredible things over recent months, but I want to let people know where they can find you if they’ve been living under a rock, particularly on socials, ’cause you’re doing so much wider work as well around

World of law. So where can people find you? On social media, feel free to share any websites. ⁓ shout them out and we’ll share them with this episode for you too. Yeah, you can find me on LinkedIn and my website, which is just my name, Henry Nelson Case. or you can find me on TikTok, Instagram, at that corporate lawyer. Absolutely. Just leads me to say, welcome back. Thank you for joining us once again here live at Legal Tech Talk. Look forward to more conversations in the future. But from now, from all of us, over and out.