As part of our Meet the Team and Women in Tech Series, we catch up with Charis Cowap, our newly appointed Legal Content Specialist.
How do you feel the pandemic has changed the legal tech landscape?
When I found myself about to qualify as a solicitor during the pandemic, it was clear that the legal industry that I was entering was going to be vastly different to the one I had anticipated when starting my training two years prior, as lawyers were forced to embrace technology and adopt new ways of working.
How did you begin your legal career?
I was first introduced to legal tech as a paralegal working in legal operations, where I gained huge insight into project management and process improvement, which sparked an interest in finding new solutions to improve the way we work.
Later in my career, in a busy environment as a corporate lawyer where I was constantly juggling urgent tasks, I often found myself having to consider the most efficient way of doing something, whilst not compromising on the high standard of work. I ultimately realised that I wanted to be part of the change to the legal industry and to help modernise it to keep up with the rapid pace of growth of technology, so I made the decision to move into legal tech.
What made you choose ThoughtRiver?
I was originally drawn to ThoughtRiver as I could see the huge potential the product had, particularly as a tool to empower junior lawyers and business professionals. Even in my initial interactions with the business, it became apparent that ThoughtRiver is a company that doesn’t rest on its laurels and is continuously improving and striving to be better, which for me was a big attraction.
What is a typical day like for you?
In my role at ThoughtRiver, I am able to combine my interest and knowledge in law that I have developed in private practice and through secondments to in-house client teams, and use this to creatively solve pain points experienced as part of the contracting process. It’s exciting to be able to use my legal experience in a different way to help shape a product and to be part of a team where your opinions are truly valued.
How have you found working as a woman in the legal tech sector?
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by incredible female mentors who have been hugely influential for me in my development, especially working in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Making the move away from practicing law into legal tech was always going to be a leap of faith, but made easier by the encouragement of those that I have looked up to and learned from, and with the knowledge that it is becoming a well-trodden path that many women before me have helped to carve out.
I have always loved meeting aspiring female lawyers and offering my advice and insights into a career in law. As I enter the next phase of my career in tech, I hope to continue to encourage the next generation of women entering the profession and to celebrate women making a change in the industry and leading in the tech space.
