Legal Design Thinking: Providing the Human Element in a World of AI
Tracks
Concurrent Stream 1
| Thursday, September 10, 2026 |
| 11:25 AM - 12:10 PM |
| Wala Mirr Theatre |
Overview
The evolving opportunities afforded by AI require law firms to quickly adapt and rethink how they have traditionally delivered legal services and legal operations. However, in the rush to adopt new technologies, law firms must remember that legal innovation starts with people, rather than technology.
How does a law firm adopt these technologies while maintaining human connection? By using the principles of legal design thinking and human-centred design to ensure new technologies remain aligned with the needs, values and purposes of the people they are intended to serve.
This session covers the principles of legal design thinking and what it means to be human-centred, provides practical examples of how legal design thinking can identify opportunities and implement AI, gives attendees an opportunity to workshop a practical scenario, and includes time for questions and discussion.
Speaker
Mrs Carlie Andrews
Senior Associate
Hive Legal
Legal Design Thinking: Providing the Human Element in a World of AI - Co Presenter
Biography
Ms Melissa Lyon
Executive Director And Experience Designer
Hive Legal
Legal Design Thinking: Providing the Human Element in a World of AI
Biography
Mel:
Melissa is the Executive Director & Experience Designer, Hive Legal, an innovative law firm which, over the last 11 years, has inspired change in the legal ecosystem by introducing value pricing, legal design thinking and truly flexible work practices. Melissa is an innovation specialist committed to assisting the legal ecosystem to think differently about the delivery of legal services, pricing and ways of working. Melissa is committed to sharing her experiences and insights with the legal ecosystem and is a strong advocate for those with skills other than legal and the vital roles they play.
Melissa is a member of the Centre for Legal Innovation’s Advisory Board, and her work has been recognised at the Australian Law Awards with her winning Business Development Professional of the Year (2017) and Innovator of the Year (2020).
