what is new professionalism?

Back on the sofa in THA Towers, Paul and Andreas are re-watching Better Call Saul. Saul isn’t any sort of role model, but would you say he’s Old or New Professional?

New Professionalism doubles down on the distinctly human things that we can do and AI can’t - communication, empathy, creativity, ethics, imagination, humour, discretion, taste. New Professionalism is our umbrella term for the skills and virtues that build trust and win clients.

Your present value, for example, as a top legal practice depends not only on the speed and efficiency of your systems and processes but also on the exceptional knowledge, experience, and quality of your people. Their brains, war stories, judgment and hard-won, long-lasting relationships with clients, opponents and colleagues. Year after year, case by case. You can’t just swap them and the power of your team working together for outputs from machines that sound like everyone else and aren’t 100% reliable, legally watertight or insurable right now.  

A much better idea is to use all the extra time and options that AI gives you far more selectively and creatively to build deeper, more personalised and valuable long-term relationships with old and new clients. Because more thinking, researching, listening and connecting with the people who are buying your services is the surest way to genuinely lead in the brave new world that’s coming.

Even if you are sharing a cell with them.