Defining the First Mile: What Mumbai’s LegalTech Meetup Revealed

Admin ILTN
Apr 12
2 min read

In a space often dominated by conversations around tools, platforms, and AI breakthroughs, one question rarely gets enough attention: Where do you actually begin?

At an ILTN LegalTech Meetup, held on 11th May 2024, in Mumbai, this question took center stage.

Led by Nikhil Mahen, Practice Lead – Innovation at Network Science, the session explored what it means to define the “first mile” in LegalTech—identifying real problems before jumping to solutions. And in doing so, it shifted the conversation from technology to intent.

The AI Conversation—Beyond the Obvious

There is no denying that AI is reshaping the legal landscape. From research and drafting to case management and analytics, its impact is already visible.

But what stood out in the discussion was not just the scale of this transformation, but the nuance. AI is not simply a layer added onto legal work—it is gradually redefining how that work is structured, delivered, and valued.

The opportunity is immense. So is the responsibility.

Rethinking Value in Legal Services

As technology changes how legal work gets done, it inevitably changes how that work is valued.

Traditional billing models, particularly those tied to time spent, are beginning to feel misaligned in a world where efficiency is increasingly driven by automation. This raises difficult but necessary questions:

What does value look like when time is no longer the primary input?
How should legal services be priced in an AI-enabled environment?

The answers are still evolving—but the need to ask these questions is immediate.

What’s Driving Change?

Another thread that ran through the conversation was the source of change itself.

Is LegalTech adoption being driven by clients demanding faster, cheaper solutions? By competitive pressure within the industry? Or by the intrinsic need to modernise?

The reality, as the discussion revealed, is that it is rarely one factor alone. Change in the legal industry is layered, influenced by market expectations, internal culture, and technological possibilities, all at once.

The Challenge of “LegalTech” Itself

Despite how frequently the term is used, “LegalTech” remains an ambiguous concept for many.

Part of this stems from the profession itself. Law has traditionally been risk-averse, built on precedent and precision. Introducing new systems—especially those that automate or augment decision-making—naturally invites hesitation.

The result is a paradox: Technology is advancing rapidly, but adoption often lags behind understanding.

The Real Takeaway: Start with the Problem

If there was one idea that defined the session, it was this:

LegalTech does not begin with technology—it begins with clarity.

Before tools are evaluated or systems are implemented, there must be a clear understanding of:

The problem being solved
The workflow it fits into
The people it impacts

Without that, even the most advanced solutions risk becoming misaligned or underutilised.

Looking Ahead

The Mumbai meetup was not about showcasing tools or predicting trends. It was about grounding LegalTech in reality—where constraints, questions, and trade-offs are just as important as possibilities.

A sincere thank you to Nikhil Mahen for leading such a thoughtful and engaging session, and to everyone who joined and contributed to the discussion.

As the legal industry continues to evolve, conversations like these remind us of something simple but essential:

Innovation is not just about moving forward. It is about knowing where to begin.