AI, Strategy and Legal Tech: Is the Legal Profession Ready for What’s Next?
Legal Innovation Summit Sets the Agenda – Richard Susskind, the keynote speaker for the Legal Innovation Summit 2025, is leading the call for local legal minds to lead from the front.
On 28 August 2025, Johannesburg will play host to one of the most important legal conversations on the continent. The Legal Innovation Summit 2025, hosted by Naomi Thompson, legal innovation expert and Managing Director of CatalyNT, in partnership with Business Day and Financial Mail, brings a powerful message: The strategic and urgent evolution of South Africa’s legal profession and the reshaping of its business of law. The legal industry in Africa is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by rapid technological advancement, shifting economic forces, and evolving regulatory expectations. South African organisations, law firms, and regulators are uniquely positioned to leapfrog into next-generation legal solutions, with innovation grounded in local realities and scalable across jurisdictions.
The Summit brings together a blend of international expertise and local leadership in the form of legal executives, general counsels, and legal industry leaders at the forefront of change, to unpack how technology is reshaping the Practice and Business of Law. While global interest in the event is growing, local corporate legal teams and South African law firms are encouraged to show up, step forward, and be proactive drivers of innovation, compliance, and growth.
Joining virtually, world-renowned legal futurist, Professor Richard Susskind will open the summit with a keynote on “The Future of Law – Global Trends, Local Impact”. Professor Susskind is the author of author of eleven books including The Future of Law (1996), Tomorrow’s Lawyers (2013, 2017, 2023), The Future of the Professions (with D Susskind, 2015, 2022), Online Courts and the Future of Justice (2019, 2021) and How to Think About AI (2025). His address will explore how global trends in innovation, AI, and client expectations are transforming the legal profession and what this means South African firms, corporates, and counsel.
Why South African legal professionals should attend
The agenda is not just international in focus. It features influential South African voices from across law, banking, insurance, FMCG, mining, and the public sector. Sessions include:
- AI in Africa: Legal experts from Nedbank, Baker McKenzie South Africa, Webber Wentzel, and Sandvik discuss responsible AI governance and legal use cases in Africa.
- Cybersecurity and Privacy: A keynote by a top South African CSO from ABSA explores how legal and security functions are converging to manage digital risk, respond to cybersecurity threats, and protect organisational integrity in an AI-driven world.
- In-House Lawyers as Strategic Drivers: A panel featuring legal executives from organisations like L’Oréal South Africa, Alex Forbes, and mothers2mothers on how in-house legal teams are becoming strategic business catalysts.
- Mental Wellbeing and Legal with Resilience: A unique fireside chat on resilience, mental health, and how to lead in high-performance legal environments.
- Practical Use Cases in Legal and Cross-Industry Transformation Case Studies: Real examples of lessons learned in the implementation of AI in law firms and across industries.
The Summit concludes with rooftop networking and drinks, allowing delegates to connect with peers, tech providers, and industry disruptors in a more informal setting where they can further explore how the legal function must evolve to stay relevant, strategic, and effective.
Limited Seats available
As global registrations continue to rise, South African legal professionals are urged to secure their places. The Summit provides not only professional development and knowledge-sharing opportunities but also strategic networking across industries and jurisdictions.
If your legal team is serious about staying relevant and competitive, then the Legal Summit is the only 2025 event that you cannot miss. Register Legal Innovation Summit
28 August 2025
The Empire I Parktown I Johannesburg
Keynote by Professor Richard Susskind (Virtual)
For more information contact:
Naomi Thompson | MD, CatalyNT | naomi@catalynt.co.za
Odette George | Arena Events | georgeo@arena.africa
Visit the website: https://legalinnovationsummit.co.za/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/legal-innovation-summit-africa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legalinnovationsummit/
