Legal professionals discuss value creation

Legal professionals in France are discussing how legal departments can contribute to a company’s value, moving beyond traditional roles. Events like Legal Performers Day are being held in different regions to explore this topic and encourage collaboration among legal teams.

Event organizers and participants

The Legal Performers Day event was co-organized by EDHEC Augmented Law Institute and Village de la justice. The next edition will take place in Lyon in December 2026, following an event in Strasbourg led by Jérôme Frizzera-Mogli, Head of Innovation at EDHEC Augmented Law Institute. Notable participants included professionals from firms like Merck Group, Septeo Legal Suite, and LEGI TEAM.

Value creation in legal work

Participants emphasized that value creation, usually linked to finance, is now a key concept in legal professions. Daria Buch from Merck Group noted that legal departments create value by supporting company strategies, advising teams, and helping with strategic decisions. Trust, reliability, and creativity were highlighted as qualities that differentiate human legal professionals from AI.

AI’s role and limitations

AI was acknowledged as a useful tool for tasks like document creation and information retrieval, but it was stressed that it cannot replace human judgment. Maxime Diot from Lamy Liaisons pointed out that AI lacks the ability to question its own conclusions, emphasizing the need for critical thinking. Aurélie Klein from Fidal noted that legal advice requires discernment and responsibility, which AI cannot provide.

Performance measurement and automation

Simon Blanchard from Septeo Legal Suite mentioned that technology now allows the automation of routine legal tasks. He stressed the importance of using data to show the impact of legal work. Legal departments are increasingly expected to track performance indicators and demonstrate their value in economic terms.

Strategic alignment and business knowledge

Antoine Schmitt from Steelcase highlighted the need for legal departments to align with company strategies, acting as "connectors" within organizations. Daria Buch added that understanding the business is crucial for legal professionals to ask the right questions and support decision-making effectively.

Training and future skills

Participants agreed that training is essential, especially in mastering AI. Jérôme Frizzera-Mogli stressed the need for strong technological infrastructure and a culture of continuous learning. Skills like agility, creativity, and client interaction were identified as key differentiators in an evolving legal landscape.

AI’s risks and responsible use

The discussions also warned against over-reliance on AI. Jérôme Frizzera-Mogli mentioned risks such as cognitive dependency and data sovereignty issues. Participants stressed the need for proper training and support to ensure AI is used responsibly and does not lead to value destruction.

Future of legal professionals

A consensus emerged that while AI is changing how legal work is done, it does not replace the unique human qualities of legal professionals. The future will depend more on their ability to interpret, create meaning, and build connections, rather than on traditional tasks like document creation or information retrieval.