The Lawyer’s Profession in a Digital World

Dirk Van Gerven

doi:10.54195/FMVV7173

The Lawyer’s Profession in a Digital World

Authors

Dirk Van Gerven

Nauta Dutilh

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54195/FMVV7173-CH09

Synopsis

Dirk Van Gerven explores the use of software tools in legal work, highlighting the importance of human oversight to ensure accuracy and avoid legal liabilities. Dirk addresses professional codes of conduct in the digital age, focusing on confidentiality and ethical standards in lawyer-client communications. He also examines the concept of digital legal entities and the potential role of artificial intelligence in legal proceedings and makes us wonder about whether the future will be one in which there are digital clients and digital lawyers. Dirk concludes by advocating for modernization. He points out the obligation of the state to update the judicial system, but also emphasizes the need for lawyers to embrace digital literacy and continued education necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of the legal profession in the digital era.

Author Biography

Dirk Van Gerven, Nauta Dutilh

Dirk Van Gerven is Former Bar Leader of the Brussels Bar and current Managing Partner, Brussels office of NautaDutilh. Dirk has extensive experience in all areas of corporate and financial law. He regularly assists larger companies with reorganisations, acquisitions and other transactions. Dirk advises listed companies on a wide range of financial and corporate issues, including corporate governance and handles matters relating to corporate crime and corporate litigation. He also acts as an arbitrator in Cepani, ICC and ad hoc arbitrations. Dirk has published widely in the fields of corporate and financial law and ethics, and has previously presided over the supervisory board of the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA).