Nordic Legal Tech Day 2024 – 10th Anniversary Event in Stockholm
The 10th anniversary of the Nordic Legal Tech Day, held on October 10, 2024, was an event I had eagerly anticipated, as if it were my own birthday. Days of choosing outfits, sleepless excitement, and vivid dreams of the event had me energized as I prepared for the day. Naturally, there was some anxiety—would it live up to my expectations? But as soon as I arrived at Vasergatan 28, a beautifully restored post office from 1903, all my doubts vanished. The building, now a coworking space with arched ceilings and a perfect blend of modernity and tradition, set the tone for an inspiring day.
The Nordic Legal Tech Day began its journey in Stockholm, Sweden in 2015, with humble beginnings—just 10 exhibitors and around 70 attendees. Over the years, the event steadily gained momentum, culminating in an impressive 2023 edition, with 300 participants and 25 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge legal technology. Yesterday, the event celebrated a remarkable milestone—its 10th anniversary—back in Stockholm where it all started. This special birthday edition not only honoured a decade of innovation and growth but also reflected on how far the Nordic Legal Tech Day has come in shaping the legal tech landscape across the region.
The conference room featured a stage, comfortable seating, and a large screen, with balloons arranged to form the number “10” in celebration of the event’s anniversary. The atmosphere was enhanced by striking blue lighting, complemented by warm yellow bulbs, creating a vibrant and modern ambiance that gave the space a cool, energetic vibe.
Hosts Caroline Snellman and Sandra Jona kicked off the day with a playful skit, setting a lively tone. Their wit and humor kept the audience engaged between the various speakers and sessions. Charley Moore, CEO of Rocket Lawyer, delivered a keynote on how AI is being harnessed to support lawyers rather than replace them. He emphasized the role of AI in enhancing legal efficiency, rather than posing a threat to jobs.
Erik Vermeulen, a professor from the Netherlands, captivated the audience by introducing a unique way of ranking lawyers into three categories. At the third tier, he placed the “Legal Tech lovers”—lawyers who are passionate about adopting tools that solve everyday problems. The second category, “Cyborg lawyers,” represents those who have embraced advanced AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to enhance their work. At the top of the ranking are the “Artist lawyers,” a group Erik believes to be the future of the profession. These are the most creative and visionary individuals, constantly evolving, learning, and never satisfied with the status quo. They see AI not as a replacement but as a “companion” in their ongoing journey of improvement. In a nod to his past talk at Nordic Legal Tech Day, Erik expressed his excitement upon learning that Lawyal Tech is developing video games to help lawyers adapt to legal technology—something he had previously advocated for.
There were multiple panel sessions running simultaneously throughout the event, making it feel like Sophie’s choice trying to decide which one to attend. One notable session was “Getting on the Bandwagon – Why Become an AI:tist?” led by Leif Frykman from Legal Works. The panel included prominent voices like Malin Männikkö from DLA Piper Sweden, Carin Adebring from Stora Enso, and Kaden Smith from Netdocuments. Leif steered the conversation with thought-provoking questions, particularly around the use of AI tools like ChatGPT and the challenges of handling sensitive information with these technologies.
The discussion was highly engaging, with audience members actively participating and posing questions to the panel. Malin’s insights were particularly striking, stressing that now is the time for lawyers to embrace AI or risk falling behind. She cautioned against being overly cautious, especially regarding security concerns, as it could result in missed opportunities. The real danger, she suggested, lies in doing nothing. Malin conveyed that if lawyers don’t start using AI soon, they may find themselves at the mercy of market forces—on terms they could have influenced. Her message was clear: this is the moment for lawyers to take charge and integrate AI into their practice, rather than passively waiting for the industry to evolve without them.
The event was filled with interactive exhibits from legal tech startups across Europe. Companies like Henchman, Zefort, Legitify, Leya, Qura, and many more vendors showcased their innovative solutions, offering a glimpse into the future of legal practice. It was thrilling to see how AI is automating routine tasks, enhancing decision-making, and transforming how legal services are delivered globally.
One of the most memorable moments came from Sara Övreby of Google, who reminded us that “Crazy ideas often lead to Nobel Prizes,” encouraging attendees to think boldly. This sentiment mirrored the Nobel celebrations happening around the same time, and she even suggested visiting the Nobel Prize Museum if we had the chance while in Stockholm.
The event was impeccably organized by Mikaela Hegg and her team, who ensured everything ran smoothly and on time. The sessions were well-coordinated, and the day’s schedule was followed with precision, which played a key role in the event’s overall success. Every detail, from the talks to the demos, was carefully managed to ensure a seamless experience for everyone involved.
Mikaela Hegg – CFO of LegalWorks
The celebration continued at the afterparty, held at the Scandic Hotel, where attendees marked the 10th anniversary of the Nordic Legal Tech Day. After a whirlwind day packed with insightful talks, exciting demos, and hours spent manning booths, the afterparty provided the perfect breather. Attendees swapped stories, shared ideas, and finally had a chance to unwind. As the night wound down, some guests prepared for flights to the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, while others planned their journey home to Stockholm. It was the ideal way to cap off a day of innovation and connection, leaving everyone with memories and new friendships to take home with them.
