Neota Logic, creators of the world’s leading AI automation platform, announced today they are launching their first Microsoft Azure environment in Ireland with the University of Limerick, in partnership with law firm, McCann Fitzgerald.
Law students at the University of Limerick are mid-way through the school’s first ever legal tech module, partially sponsored by McCann Fitzgerald. The module teaches students how to build legal tech products to automate the delivery of legal services using the Neota Logic System.
The module is the first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland, and one of four such courses being run in the UK and Ireland this academic year. At the end of the semester, the students will present their finished apps to a panel of judges and a public audience in a pitch-style event and an overall winner will be chosen. The apps are being built in consultation with the Limerick Chamber of Commerce and are designed to assist small and medium-sized organisations in accessing regulatory and compliance advice on a number of topics.
One of the judges on the panel for the pitch event is Aisling Curtis, Commercial Director for Microsoft Ireland. Aisling was also a judge at the first Legal Apps Hackathon run by McCann Fitzgerald in March last year. Microsoft is known for its support of education initiatives, particularly those exposing girls and young women to STEM subjects and digital experiences in order to cultivate a sustainable pipeline of female STEM workers.
Aisling Curtis, Commercial Director, Microsoft Ireland said: “At Microsoft Ireland, we are committed to creating new opportunities to accelerate digital transformation and make new technologies accessible to everyone across Ireland. We are delighted to be partnering with Neota Logic, the University of Limerick and McCann Fitzgerald on this project which will enable law students to unlock new business innovations and efficiencies within the legal sector. Through events such as these, Microsoft Ireland is empowering every student and organisation to do more and achieve more through technology.”
“This is a very interesting opportunity for our Law students and they have displayed phenomenal engagement with the AI platform and the legal areas around which they are building their apps. The technology is so intuitive for them and their enthusiasm is infectious. This development with Microsoft is a superb enhancement of the module.” Sinead Eaton, School of Law UL.
Karyn Harty, Partner at McCann FitzGerald, said: “The business of law is undergoing revolutionary change and while legal expertise is still paramount, clients are now rightly demanding more innovation, efficiency and flexibility. Nearly two years ago we announced our exciting partnership with the University of Limerick and students are now mid-way through the school’s first ever legal tech module, the first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland. They are learning how to build the legal tech products of the future and we are delighted that they will benefit from the first Microsoft Azure environment in Ireland.”
“It makes commercial sense for us to have a Microsoft Azure environment available for our clients, but it is also important for us to build links with other tech companies who are contributing to progressive and inclusive education.” Maeve Lavelle, Director for Education and Community Programme at Neota Logic, works closely with universities in Europe to help them design and execute legal tech courses: “I think it is particularly interesting to note the scope for greater female representation in legal tech than other tech verticals. At entry level, most law firms have a 1:1 ratio of men to women, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be the same in legal tech. Having women like Aisling and Gráinne visible as role models for these students is so important in order for young women to see a career in tech as a viable option. We’re excited to see what they build this semester.”