In continuing with our deep dive into the various facets of the legaltech world, we’ve embarked on a new endeavor: creating categorical lists. Our recent outlook under this initiative investigates a somewhat esoteric aspect of the legal tech realm – hosting legal tech panel discussions. This task, though perhaps seeming benign on the surface, entails a myriad of challenges, often kept out of polite professional conversation.
Crafting an effective panel discussion requires consensus building amongst all involved parties, an initiative that can prove frustrating. Attempting to coordinate varying perspectives, conflicting priorities, and divergent opinions can often seem like a herculean effort, often drawing parallels with the notorious task of herding feral cats.
Next on the list of issues is the inevitable technology glitch. Regardless of how smooth the preparatory run-through went, it seems an unshakeable constant that some minor (or potentially major) tech hiccup will arise during the actual presentation. Whether it’s a video feed dying mid-discussion or an internet connection failure, as a moderator, you must always be prepared to smoothly navigate these hurdles.
Refer to this example to understand the precarious handling of a tech glitch during a panel discussion.
Another common pitfall is engaging in discussions about topics that you are not well-versed in. As a panel moderator, you might be selected for your affable personality and neutral stance, but diving into technical conversations without adequate knowledge can quickly reveal ignorance. It’s best to facilitate discussions, ask the important questions, and leave the intricate details to the respective experts.
Overbearing attendees contribute to yet another thorn in the side when hosting legal tech panels. Individuals who incessantly seek the limelight while gaining Continuous Learning Education (CLE) credit can be particularly troublesome. Constructive participant interaction is always welcomed, but it’s necessary to keep it balanced and relevant.
Hygiene practice also surprisingly makes the list. The pandemic era workforce has enjoyed the flexibility of working from home, often overlooking basic personal hygiene, like regular showering. However, hosting a web conference necessitates that you look presentable, which means getting back into those pre-pandemic self-care routines.
In closing, while the task of hosting a legal tech panel discussion might seem straightforward, it encompasses complexities revolving around consensus building, technology reliability, discussed topic familiarities, attendee management, and even personal hygiene.
The complete commentary by legal technology expert Jared Correia can be found here.