Agenda: LegalTech in Leeds Conference 2025

The LegalTech in Leeds Conference 2025 is set to take place on Thursday, 24th April 2025 at Cloth Hall Court, Leeds, bringing together over 250 legal and tech professionals for a full day of insights, collaboration, and innovation.

With this year’s theme, People & Technology, the conference will explore the evolving role of technology in the legal sector, the growing need for skills development, and the importance of diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing. Attendees will gain exclusive insights from industry leaders, legal innovators, and tech pioneers, while engaging in thought-provoking discussions and practical breakout sessions.

A Dynamic Line-up of Industry Experts

This year’s agenda features an impressive array of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and expert-led breakout sessions. Thought leaders from across law firms, in-house legal teams, LegalTech providers, academia, and professional education will share their expertise on AI adoption, legal education, and the future of legal services. ‍

08:30 – 10:00 – Arrival and Networking Breakfast

10:00 – 10:05 – Welcomes from LegalTech in Leeds

10:05 – 10:15 – Opening Address:  

• Nigel Brook, President, Leeds Law Society & Legal Director, Tyr

10:15 – 10:45 – The State of LegalTech in the UK: Trends, Challenges & Opportunities:

• Craig James Ashton-Chalmers, Global Product Owner, Linklaters
• Rob Hanlon, Senior Sales Manager – EMEA, Clio  
• Madi Robinson, Controller of Corporate Legal & Governance, Channel4  
• Alistair Maiden, Senior Vice President, Consilio  ‍
• Chloe Thompson, Consultant, Whitecap Consulting/LegalTech in Leeds (Chair)

10:45 – 11:05 – The Energy Policy Dimensions of LegalTech: A Crucial Foundation for a Thriving LegalTech Sector:

• Virág Blazsek, Deputy Director of the Centre for Business Law and Practice, University of Leeds

11:05 - 11:15 – West Yorkshire’s Ambition for Growth:

• Mandy Ridyard, Mayor’s Business Advisor, West Yorkshire Combined Authority  

11:15 – 11:45 – The Regional Landscape: Showcasing LegalTech Clusters:  

• Clare Streets, Founder, Post & Codes & Non-Executive Director, Tech WM
• Rachel Kenyon, Business Engagement Manager, University of Manchester - Manchester Law & Technology Initiative
• Chris Bull, Principal & ExCo Member, Edge International & Chair, Bristol+BathLegalTech
• Julian Wells, Director, Whitecap Consulting & LegalTech in Leeds  ‍
• Beth Fellner, Director, LegalGeek & LawtechUK (Chair)

11:45 – 12:25 – Shaping the Future Through LegalTech Innovation: Partner Presentations:

• Transforming Risk into Opportunity: rradar's Innovation, Growth, and Career Pathways: Stephanie Thirlwell, Head of Regulatory & Emma Yates, Head of Intellectual Property, rradar  ‍
• Unlocking innovation in Property Transactions: Angela Hesketh, Head of Market Development, PEXA ‍
• Walker Morris & Curvestone AI: Laura Pilkington, Innovation Lead, Walker Morris, Dawid Kotur, Co-founder & CEO & Amy Woodcock, Head of Consulting and Delivery, Curvestone AI. ‍
• Justice Unlocked: Empowering Small Law Firms with AI: Patrick Grant, Associate Professor in AI and Tech, The University of Law & Adam Roney, Founder and CEO, Calls9

12:30 – 13:00 LegalTech & Education: Preparing the Lawyers of Tomorrow:

• Patrick Grant, Associate Professor in AI and Tech, The University of Law  
• Dr Steven Montagu-Cairns, Associate Professor in Banking & Corporate Law, The University of Leeds  
• Dr Jessica Guth, Head of Law, Leeds Trinity University  
• Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo, Professor of Law and Technology, Leeds Beckett University  ‍
• Victoria Boothby, Trainee Solicitor - Real Estate, Schofield Sweeney (Chair)

13:00 – 14:30 – Lunch, Networking, and Ideas Exchange: Breakout Sessions (breakouts running 13:45-14:15):

• 1-1 Sessions - Bianca Spruit, Management and Leadership Coach, Sprout Coaching (booking required – limited spaces, first come, first serve) ‍
• Building Business Resilience: AI Literacy and Skills Evolution in the Legal Sector – Clare Grant, Commercial Director, BPP & Thea Lee, Customer Solutions Director, BPP ‍
• Leveraging AI in SME Law Firms: Opportunities, Challenges and Practical Applications - Keith Bermingham, Senior Account Executive EMEA, Clio & Supported by Danat Valizade, Professor of Quantitative Employment Research, University of Leeds  ‍
• Innovating In-House: How LegalTech is Transforming Corporate Legal Teams – Allan Smith, Founder, The Mint Consultancy & Madi Robinson, Controller of Corporate Legal & Governance, Channel4  ‍
• Leading the shift: Digitisation, AI and Property – Angela Hesketh, Head of Market Development, PEXA & supported by Eric Tom Mathews, KTP Associate - Machine Learning Engineer, University of Leeds  

14:30 – 14:45 – Innovate UK report: Future Innovation Opportunities in Professional & Financial Services

• Stephen Browning, Challenge Director – Next Generation Services, Innovate UK
• Julian Wells, Director, Whitecap Consulting  

14:45 – 15:40 – Pioneering Change: A LegalTech Innovation Showcase facilitated by Bradley Collins, Co-Founder & CEO, LegalTechTalk  

• Matterbee
• Katchr
• Quiss  
• Barrister Link  
• LegalTech India  
• TIPS accelerator (Oxford Brookes University)
• FileOps

15:40 – 16:00 – Building a LegalTech Unicorn: Clio’s Story

• Rob Hanlon, Senior Sales Manager – EMEA, Clio
• Susan Ford, Head of Knowledge, DAC Beachcroft  

16:00 – 17:30 – LegalTech Unwind: Post-Conference Drinks & Networking

17:30 – Event close

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The agenda includes engaging panel discussions on both the national and regional LegalTech landscapes, alongside sessions dedicated to the role of education in preparing future lawyers.

Additionally, the Innovation Showcase will highlight groundbreaking LegalTech solutions, with quickfire presentations from eight pioneering companies.

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Welcoming our New Sponsors

We’re excited to announce that Clio, Quiss, Matterbee  and Katchr have joined us as sponsors for this year’s conference. Their support reinforces the growing collaboration between LegalTech innovators and legal professionals, ensuring that attendees gain access to the latest insights and solutions in the industry.

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Networking, Collaboration & Hands-On Insights

Building on attendee feedback, we’ve expanded networking opportunities to foster even greater collaboration between law firms, in-house legal teams, and tech providers. Throughout the day, attendees will be able to engage in:

• Speed networking sessions

• 1:1 coaching with industry experts

• Breakout discussions on SME law firms, in-house legal, and mental health & wellbeing

• Live demonstrations of the latest LegalTech innovations

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Join the Community

The LegalTech in Leeds Conference is more than just an event, it’s a platform for driving innovation and strengthening Leeds’ position as a leader in the national and international LegalTech landscape.

📅 Date: Thursday, 24th April 2025
📍 Location: Cloth Hall Court, Quebec Street, Leeds, LS1 2HA
⏰ Time: 08:30 – 17:30

Don’t miss the chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of legal services.

👉 Register now and secure your spot

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