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Dreaming of a law/startup summit

By Michael Rice

I was reflecting on today's Saturday House experience while I was running errands tonight. I loved the way the conversations moved fluidly. A few intriguing ideas came up, and they circulated effortlessly. Who cares where they went? Startup Weekend was somewhat similar, if more chaotic and less focused.

But what's the role of "legal" in all this?

I think first response to that question is another question: why ask? After all, lawyers have been around a lot longer than web two oh (being the second oldest profession, and all) and the profession will likely proceed as is for the foreseeable future. Cf. Richard Susskind, End of Lawyers? Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services.

So, I'm asking because I'm worried about the relevance of lawyers in this new world of startups. For example, unsurprisingly, at times (very rare) I felt naked hostility and suspicion towards our tiny "legal team" at Startup Weekend. I don't mind being the bad man in the room. After all, I did a lot of that with clients that couldn't understand why their little enterprise toy couldn't be built in a week. What I do mind is that my future role might be marginalized as a lawyer.

Why do I need to be Eben Moglen or Larry Lessig to fit in? Can't I serve both communities? Can't I understand and add value to both? Of course. But these guys don't see it that way. So what can we do? Right now I'm dreaming of some kind of law firm and startup summit.

Full post as published by Coderights on February 02, 2008 (boomark / email).