Legal Education in the Blockchain Revolution

39 Pages Posted: 23 Mar 2017 Last revised: 4 May 2017

See all articles by Mark Fenwick

Mark Fenwick

Kyushu University - Graduate School of Law

Wulf A. Kaal

University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law

Erik P. M. Vermeulen

Tilburg University - Department of Business Law; Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting) - Legal Department; Tilburg Law and Economics Center (TILEC); European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI); Kyushu University - Graduate School of Law

Date Written: March 22, 2017

Abstract

The legal profession is one of the most disrupted sectors of the consulting industry today. The rise of Legal Tech, artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, and, most importantly, blockchain technology is changing the practice of law. The sharing economy and platform companies challenge many of the traditional assumptions, doctrines, and concepts of law and governance, requiring litigators, judges, and regulators to adapt. Lawyers need to be equipped with the necessary skillsets to operate effectively in the new world of disruptive innovation in law. A more creative and innovative approach to educating lawyers for the 21st century is needed.

Keywords: Legal Education, Legal Profession, LegalTech, FinTech, Disruptive Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Blockchain Technology, Platform Company, Platform Economy, Decentralization, Decentralized Autonomous Organization, Social Media, Technology, Trust.

JEL Classification: D20, D23, F60, G30, K20, K22, L20, L25, L29, O10, O30, O40

Suggested Citation

Fenwick, Mark and Kaal, Wulf A. and Vermeulen, Erik P.M., Legal Education in the Blockchain Revolution (March 22, 2017). U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 17-05, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2939127 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2939127

Mark Fenwick

Kyushu University - Graduate School of Law ( email )

744 Motooka, Nishi-ku,
Fukuoka, Fukuoka 819-0395
Japan

Wulf A. Kaal (Contact Author)

University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law ( email )

MSL 400, 1000 La Salle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 55403-2005
United States

Erik P.M. Vermeulen

Tilburg University - Department of Business Law ( email )

Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting) - Legal Department ( email )

Amstelplein 2
Amsterdam
Netherlands

Tilburg Law and Economics Center (TILEC)

Warandelaan 2
Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) ( email )

c/o the Royal Academies of Belgium
Rue Ducale 1 Hertogsstraat
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Kyushu University - Graduate School of Law ( email )

6-19-1, Hakozaki, Higashiku
Fukuoka, Fukuoka 812-8581
Japan

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
2,199
Abstract Views
7,415
Rank
12,839
PlumX Metrics