Sam Moore, innovation manager at Burness Paull, has been awarded ‘Accredited Legal Technologist’ status by the Law Society of Scotland.

The new professional standard is the first of its kind in the UK and was launched to reflect the growing impact of technology within the legal sector - and with it the emergence of specialist roles such as legal process engineer, legal analyst, and legal technologist.

Mr Moore is the first candidate to have met the criteria, which tests candidates on their knowledge of and experience in delivering legal tech innovation. A qualified and practising solicitor in Burness Paull’s technology & commercial team, he is also the firm’s first dedicated innovation manager.

Burness Paull managing partner Tamar Tammes said: “Until now ‘legal technologist’ has only been loosely defined, and while that’s been great for early adoption we think it’s positive to see the Law Society of Scotland putting a framework in place for a recognised specialism.

“Our hope is that many talented individuals like Sam who are involved in legal technology see this as a roadmap for their own development, and as a way to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to employers and clients alike.”

Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland, added: “Our view is that legal technologists will work with other legal professionals to deliver and present legal advice to clients differently, improve knowledge management techniques and reduce time spent on repetitive, labour intensive tasks.

“We hope that as the status develops over time this will become a quality mark that all working in legal technology will wish to hold as it provides assurance to the public, clients and to the legal profession.”