With preparations for the 2024 CEE Legal Matters Hungary General Counsel Summit in full swing, Schoenherr's Miklos Klenanc talks about the upcoming event and the panel he'll be moderating.
CEELM: Why did Schoenherr decide to participate in this year's edition of the CEE Legal Matters Hungary GC Summit?
Klenanc: Schoenherr has always been eager to be at the forefront of legal technology. But beyond that, it's important to understand the "why." When I first became involved in legal tech over 15 years ago, I remember sitting in front of a desktop computer, trying out one of the early online translation tools. It was laughable then, but today, we use various translation tools daily. The evolution in legal tech is happening at a similar pace, but the change is much faster now. We won't have to wait 15 years to see widespread adoption; it's already becoming part of our daily routine.
On a personal note, I often admire circus artists for their ability to perform extraordinary feats, knowing there's a safety net beneath them. As attorneys, we need to be that safety net for General Counsels. They should feel confident that we are there to back them up, but that trust isn't built overnight. It's something they need to test, feel, and experience for themselves. Interacting with GCs, staying engaged, and understanding their industry-specific challenges is crucial. This is why we choose to participate in forums like the HU GC Summit. It allows us to connect with our clients and potential clients, not just present solutions we think are best, but to understand and address what truly affects them.
CEELM: Why did you choose to focus on legal tech in your discussions at the summit?
Klenanc: The choice was straightforward. In almost every conversation I've had with GCs over the past few months, AI has come up. They're curious about AI-related developments and want to know if we have firsthand experience with these tools. At Schoenherr, we're using Harvey on a daily basis, and we're constantly testing new solutions. The first wave of AI tools were broad, catch-all solutions, but now we're seeing more specialized tools that are tailored to specific needs. It's important to not only explore these tools from a technical standpoint but also to consider how they will reshape the relationship between lawyers and GCs in the future.
This change is inevitable. With the help of these new technologies, attorneys can offer better, more value-added solutions. It's not about offloading all our work to software; it's about using technology to provide seamless legal services that go beyond the basics. It's about building deeper relationships with clients, truly understanding their needs, and helping them articulate those needs.
CEELM: What are you most excited about for the HU GC Summit?
Klenanc: I'm really looking forward to meeting both familiar faces and new colleagues. The chance to have meaningful conversations about the future of our profession is what excites me most. Being a lawyer is extraordinary, especially now, as our profession undergoes significant changes. Being part of this transformation is a gift, and I'm eager to engage in discussions that will shape the future of legal practice.
CEELM: Can you give us a sneak peek of what to expect from your panel?
Klenanc: The panel won't be a traditional, scripted discussion. Instead, it'll be a candid conversation where the panelists share their real-life "war stories" with these new technologies. We're not looking to instill fear but to address concerns—because it's natural to be concerned when facing something new. By sharing our experiences and understanding the root of these concerns, we can connect with these tools differently, and often, those concerns quickly diminish.
The 2024 CEE Legal Matters Hungary General Counsel Summit is sponsored by Jalsovszky, Oppenheim, Schoenherr, Addleshaw Goddard, DLA Piper, and PONTES Budapest and is organized in partnership with the Hungarian Corporate Compliance Society. Find out more about the event here or register to attend here.
