LLM Law and Digital Innovation

University of Galway

Several drivers of change are influencing how law itself, the practice of law, and the business of law operate. These include information and communications technology (particularly so-called ‘artificial intelligence’) globalisation, the rise of in-house lawyering, outsourcing, off-shoring, equality, inclusion and diversity issues, and environmental, social and governance challenges. The law, the courts, and the legal services industry are under greater pressure than ever before to adapt to the new possibilities that technology affords.This programme takes all of this into account and focuses on ‘lawtech’: the uses of technology for legal practice – from basic tools like word processors and spreadsheets to sophisticated ‘artificial intelligence’ applications that some claim will replace lawyers and judges.The LLM in Law and Digital Innovation is the only Masters of its kind in the Republic of Ireland. The use of technology, software tools and artificial intelligence are transforming legal practice and creating new career opportunities. Employers are keen to hire individuals with skills in both law and technology. The LLM in Law and Digital Innovation responds to this through the provision of high quality, research-led teaching that bridges the disciplines of law, information systems, and data analytics. This programme will be of interest to law, business or STEM graduates who are seeking to develop a career in lawtech, and legal practitioners who are seeking to upskill or change careers. Its approach is inherently international: the same winds of change blow through legal services markets worldwide, and the law that will be learned is almost entirely from the European Union (and thus globally relevant due to the ‘Brussels effect’).