MLS at the cutting edge of innovation and technology

Melbourne Law School’s work advancing legal innovation in education has received industry recognition, with former MLS Dean Professor Carolyn Evans named in the 2017 Legal Innovation Index.

Professor Carolyn Evans, former MLS Dean and current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Graduate) at the University of Melbourne, was recognised in the 2017 Legal Innovation Index for her work advancing innovation in the legal industry.

The Legal Innovation Index, launched by Janders Dean and LexisNexis in 2013, recognises the most innovative firms and legal organisations in Australia and New Zealand.

Professor Evans said the recognition is testament to Melbourne Law School’s position as a leader in the field of technology and the law, and reflects the work of a number of colleagues across the Law School.

A suite of subjects recently introduced into the JD program explore the relationship between the law and technology, equipping students with the skills to work in a changing legal industry.

Students in New Technology Law explore the implications of emerging technologies on the law and legal practice, while Start-Up Law provides students with skills to advise start-up companies on the legal issues they are likely to face in their formative years.

In Law Apps, students design and build web-based applications to provide legal information to the not-for-profit sector.

A number of opportunities for students to explore legal innovation also exist at extra-curricular level, including the King & Wood Mallesons #Breakinglaw Corporate Law Hackathon and the Law Without Walls international legal problem solving event.

“New technologies are rapidly changing the way that law is being practiced,” says Jenny Morgan, Interim Dean of Melbourne Law School.

“Recognition in the Legal Innovation Index demonstrates that Melbourne Law School is at the cutting edge of innovation and technology.”

By Tess McPhail

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