LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025 – Akil Hunte – E05

You can hear Rob and Akil discussing:

Connect with Akil here: 

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

Transcript

00:00

Welcome to the Legally Speaking podcast, LegalTechTalk Uncovered Mini Series 2025, sponsored by Clio.

00:07

We’re back with our red mic for a behind the scenes series all about legal innovation at Europe’s largest legal tech event.

00:15

So we’re granted access to meet some of the greatest speakers, sponsors, brands in the whole legal tech world.

00:22

We’ve got 300 speakers with over 70 sessions with over 4,000 attendees from all across the globe, hittingus here over the next two days at LegalTechTalk live in London.

00:33

From AI to access to justice to smart compliance, you name it, we’re covering it all.

00:38

This isn’t just another conversation or another conference.

00:41

It’s a blueprint for community and transformation.

00:45

So buckle up.

00:45

We’re speaking with some incredible people about policy change, change makers, legal innovation, and so much more over and out.

00:55

Welcome to the Legally Speaking Podcast, recording live at LegalTechTalk.

01:00

I am joined by name, title and organisation.

01:02

Thank you so much, man.

01:03

My name is Akil.

01:05

I am chair of NRG Lawyers and it is a blessing to be on Legally Speaking Podcast.

01:10

I’m a lifelong fan of yours and your mission, everything you’ve stood for and watched your own journey and seen you grow and you’re still just getting started.

01:17

So in one sentence, what problem are you trying to solve in legal?

01:21

Yeah, so the problem I’m trying to solve in legal is how do we build genuine and authentic connection and community insights to modernise law, bring more non-Rossbroots into graduates onto the table to lead for the future.

01:35

Yeah, I love that.

01:36

And I know you did a recent event and I’d love for you to tell people about that.

01:40

it was all about.

01:41

Yeah, yeahSo the event was last night that we did.

01:43

So we did a side event for LegalTechTalk.

01:46

It was called Bring Law to the 21st Century.

01:48

So it was a very specific title.

01:51

We wanted it to be a conversation that transcended time, and it definitely was.

01:55

We had an absolutely stellar panel.

01:57

We had general counsel such as Kate Tyers, who are incredible at their work.

02:02

We had Vanessa Whitman from CMS.

02:04

We had Haja Bagbadarani, she’s a legal specialist at Robin AI.

02:08

Atalanta from Robin AI, who helped to support theevent as well.

02:11

And we also had Miriam Owusu, who was speaking on the panel too.

02:14

So an illustrious panel, powerful woman, you know, sold out event.

02:19

So many people were attending and showed up for us.

02:21

So beautiful evening with beautiful people.

02:23

Yeah, and it’s a testament to you and what you’re building and all the great work you’re doing with NRG Lawyers.

02:28

This year’s themes at LegalTechTalk are Law and Tech, Evolution Revolution, Access to Justice, Purpose Driven Law, Collaboration, Smart Compliance.

02:37

Which of those stand out to you the most and why?

02:40

So I’d definitely say collaboration is definitely something, because you’re a big fan of collaboration over the years.

02:46

And you’ve actually taught me the power of collaboration in terms of how to work together with ecosystems so we can thrive as a modern industry.

02:53

And I think for us, we’re very collaborative.

02:55

We’ve never excluded anyone from our room.

02:57

Actual fact, a lot of our panelists yesterday were from Russell Universities.

03:00

So people who are from Russell Universities genuinely love what we do, but they’re thinking, What?

03:05

You want to get non-Russell Group in the room?

03:07

I’m in, because they love the fact that we’reso clear about our mission and we love what we do.

03:13

So very collaborative, very forward thinking.

03:15

I want to make it genuine and authentic.

03:16

So that’s what we want to do.

03:19

And you’re doing a great job.

03:20

And I always say we is greater than me and this collaboration, domination.

03:23

Our listeners have heard me say that a million times.

03:25

And you’re doing it so well as of today.

03:27

What’s been your biggest surprise so far of LegalTechTalk 2025?

03:31

Biggest surprise?

03:33

Biggest surprise is there’s a list of them.

03:36

But for me, the biggest surprise I’ve had is how amazing, amazingthe team and the sponsors all work together for one specific mission.

03:45

I think I was so surprised because I didn’t come last year.

03:48

I was unable to attend just due to my own circumstances.

03:51

However, I think coming this year, seeing the work the team are doing, I’ve just been like, you’ve got the right guy doing the podcast.

03:59

You’ve got the right people doing the speaking.

04:02

You’ve got me or one of the hosts as well as part of this event.

04:04

It’s just like, we’re all together in the same space, just doing what we’re here to do, which is to serve theindustry, and that’s what I love, and I love it.

04:13

Let’s look forward then, because you’re on a mission, you’re someone who’s exceptionally driven, you’re passionate, and you’ll knock down walls to get what you need to do in terms of doing good for community and helping others.

04:23

What do you hope will be gone and finally fixed in the world of law?

04:26

Let me break it on from both perspectives.

04:27

So what I want to be gone for legal industry is the idea that we are not equal.

04:35

I want us to be gone.

04:36

We are all equal.

04:37

Two, I want it to be gone that people who are not part of an already established network cannot forge those networks.

04:48

I want it to be gone.

04:49

I want everyone to be able to develop a network no matter where they’ve come from.

04:52

But three, and most importantly for me, I want what’s to be gone and finally fixed is the idea that we should not haveindustry that represents 2025.

05:02

That’s what I will finally go on.

05:03

I want us all to represent that because once we all represent that as an industry, this is not an echo chamber.

05:10

This is a catalyst for legal transformation and that’s what I want to make sure that is the next step in us making sure we make it happen.

05:18

Beautifully said and we fully support that here at the Legally Speaking podcast.

05:21

So before I let you go, what’s been your biggest aha or standout moment of LegalTechTalk thus far?

05:27

You know what?

05:28

I’m not even just saying this because I’m here butactually seeing you in your element and seeing you connecting with people.

05:33

I’ve met different people today and I’ve had beautiful conversations that some of them were very private and personal conversations and some of them were very, you know,What do you do?

05:41

What do I do?

05:42

How do we work?

05:43

But when I came here, I actually haven’t been anywhere as long as I’ve actually been near to your stall because people actually resonate and connect with you because of who you are as a person, not necessarily because of just your brand or just because you have a podcast, but you were doing this before you had a podcast that was sponsored by Clio.

05:59

You were doing this before everyone knew what you were doing.

06:02

I remember how you guys started.

06:07

Before the pandemic, I saw your setup.

06:09

It was literally, I just want to share.

06:11

Keeping stories, and that’s what you’ve wanted to do longer than the past five years, so your story is just so inspiring for me, just seeing everyone connect with you and just care about you, and what you do.

06:23

And we appreciate that.

06:24

I’m really honoured to be part of NRG Lawyers and be an advisor to that organisation and what they’re doing and what you’re leading.

06:31

And so before we wrap up, where can people go to find out more about NRG Lawyers or if they want to support or get involved?

06:37

Oh gosh, yeah, NRG Lawyers, find us on the website, nrg-lawyers.com.

06:41

You can also find us on social media.

06:43

So LinkedIn is the best place.

06:44

We’ve got over 2000 followers on LinkedIn.

06:46

So find us on LinkedIn, find us on Instagram.

06:49

We’ll always act on Instagram.

06:50

I’m not really using Instagram very much myself.

06:52

and even as my team.

06:53

So, you know, you’re probably going to find us at our events, find us on our mailing list.

06:57

We probably send more emails than we actually send our Instagram posts.

07:01

So, we’re very, very loyally like.

07:04

So, yeah, I’ll find us there.

07:05

But I’ll find me as well, LinkedIn, wherever you find me.

07:08

And finally, finally, before I let you go, because I always get inspired by you and learn from you, what’s one piece of wisdom you’ve picked up over the years that you always like to share with people or would like to share with our listeners?

07:18

One piece of wisdom?

07:22

I think that we are all idiots.

07:28

I think that’s one piece of wisdom is we are all idiots.

07:31

I include myself in the we.

07:34

I think we are all idiots because quite frankly, none of us have the solution.

07:38

None of us know what we’re doing.

07:39

And I think just us understanding that we are all idiots, we do not know what is going to happen tomorrow, anything can happen to us.

07:46

I can’t even make air.

07:48

If I can make air and breathe on my own, then I am a genius.

07:52

But until I can make air, I can make an earth, I can make a moon, I cannot do anything.

07:58

I think we are all idiots.

07:59

And quite frankly, the wise thing I can say is, if you think that you’re not an idiot, it probably makes you even more of an idiot.

08:06

So I would definitely call myself an idiot.

08:08

You know what I’m saying?

08:09

Well, from one idiot to another, thanks so much again for joining us.

08:15

We’ve also had him on the League’s Beam podcast for a full episode, go and check that out as well.

08:19

But for now, from all of us on the League’s Beam podcast, over and out.

08:22

Listen.

08:24

Thank you for listening to this week’s episode.

08:27

If you like the content here, why not check out our world leading content and collaboration hub, the Legally Speaking Club over on Discord.

08:36

Go to our website, www.legallyspeakingpodcast.com for the link to join our community there.

08:44

Over and out.