The partnership, coordinated by the University’s Law School and Employer Partnerships team, provides students with opportunities to gain knowledge and experience of the increasingly prominent role that technology plays in the delivery of legal services. It will also ensure that Leeds Trinity is regularly engaging with leading legal and tech businesses to stay up to date with modern practices — influencing the teaching materials delivered to students on relevant courses. From the 2025/26 academic year, final year students in the Law School will have the option of taking a LegalTech module as part of their studies. 

The announcement of the partnership renewal was made at the LegalTech in Leeds annual conference on Thursday 18 April, which attracted more than 230 people from across the legal and tech sectors with the aim of exploring the latest technology trends. The conference, and general work of LegalTech in Leeds, supports and encourages firms to modernise the way they work and other practices across the sectors. 

This year’s line-up included two prominent speakers from Leeds Trinity University — Dr Jess Guth, Head of the University’s Law School, and Dr Simon Best, Associate Professor of Law. They were joined by representatives from key law firms in the region such as Addleshaw Goddard and Walker Morris as they shared insights about legal tech and social justice in legal education. 

The popular annual conference took place at the Esther Simpson building, on the outskirts of Leeds city centre, and attracted attendees from across the country.  

Leeds Trinity University will open its Leeds City Campus in the 2024/25 academic year. The new city centre presence, complementing its Main Campus in Horsforth, will enable the University to work more closely with key partners, such as LegalTech in Leeds and employers including law firms, to bring new opportunities for its students, contribute to the continued growth of Leeds city centre and support demand for skills. LegalTech will also be moving next door to the campus at 1 Trevelyan Square, as the city establishes itself as the legal tech hub of the north. 

Dr Jess Guth, Head of the Law School at Leeds Trinity University, said: “The conference allowed us to see the latest innovations in legal tech and learn about how law firms are using technology to help their clients and connect with a variety of stakeholders in the industry. It also provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Leeds Trinity approach of combining education, law and technology to help our students be a force for good in the world. 

“LegalTech in Leeds provides a great network for knowledge exchange and support for the wider region when it comes to investing in our students so they can become the next generation of forward-thinking law professionals serving the community. The strategic partnership between Leeds Trinity University and LegalTech means our students have more opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge, benefitting them in their studies and future careers.” 

LegalTech in Leeds is an initiative coordinated by Whitecap Consulting created in 2022 to help foster an open and inclusive community in the Leeds region. It aims to bring together the legal and tech sectors in the area, with three core objectives: help facilitate the digital transformation of the legal sector; support tech entrepreneurs seeking to engage with the legal sector; and enhance access to legal services for consumers and businesses in the region. 

Chloe Thompson, Consultant at Whitecap Consulting, said: “The region has got an internationally renowned legal sector as well as a vibrant tech sector, and bringing these together aims to catalyse collaboration and digital transformation and put Leeds firmly on the map for its LegalTech capabilities. We have just seen the third annual successful LegalTech in Leeds conference, where we exceeded what we achieved last year whilst bringing together an audience from legal, tech and education to hear from experts in the field, showcase innovators and tech entrepreneurs, and connect with like-minded people. 

“We’re delighted that students make up an increasing proportion of the LegalTech in Leeds community and we’re aiming to create more activity focused on fostering future talent across the sector.” 

For more information about Leeds Trinity University and its Law courses, visit the dedicated law page on the website. 

To find out more about employer partnership opportunities with the University, contact employerpartnerships@leedstrinity.ac.uk.