Kerry Howard Mwesigwa.
Kampala, Uganda – Legal practitioners and experts gathered in Kampala for the 6th Annual Law Conference, organized by the Uganda Law Society (ULS), to deliberate on the evolving legal landscape and the imperative need for legal professionals to adapt and specialize in response to the changing times.
Themed “Redefining Legal Practice in the Era of Disruption,” the conference provided a platform for insightful discussions on the challenges and opportunities that technological advancements and evolving client expectations bring to the legal domain.
Addressing the attendees, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka underscored the importance of specialization in various legal domains to effectively cater to clients’ needs and excel in an increasingly competitive environment. He noted that the traditional role of a general practitioner is evolving and suggested that legal professionals consider specializing in fields like energy law, procurement law, arbitration, and public interest law. Kiwanuka also proposed the restructuring of law firms into specialized departments to enhance both efficiency and client service.
Justice Minister Norbert Mao echoed the theme of adaptation in his address and emphasized the significance of embracing disruptions in the legal sector. He encouraged lawyers to reevaluate their goals, take charge of their career paths, and establish a solid foundation for growth and innovation. Mao stressed the importance of self-confidence as legal professionals embrace change and position themselves as effective agents of transformation within the legal fraternity.
Bernard Oundo, the President of the Uganda Law Society, highlighted the importance of adopting a client-centric approach amid technological advancements. He emphasized that comprehending clients’ business intricacies from local, regional, and global perspectives is crucial for delivering value-driven legal services.
The two-day conference extensively explored the nuances of adapting legal practice in the era of disruption, focusing on strategies for leveraging technology, embracing specialization, and fostering robust client relationships in the dynamic legal landscape.
With approximately 1,500 lawyers graduating annually from the Law Development Centre (LDC), the legal profession has witnessed saturation, making specialization a pivotal strategy for differentiation. The conference’s discussions centered on the professional evolution needed to navigate this new reality successfully.
The 6th Annual Law Conference in Kampala served as a productive platform for legal professionals to collectively ponder over the evolving legal landscape and the need to proactively adapt and specialize. The emphasis on client-centricity, technological integration, and specialization marked a turning point in shaping the future trajectory of legal practice in Uganda.
