Linklaters has started moving associates into permanent roles in its specialist tech operation, in a bid to help its developers and lawyers communicate more effectively.

Associates from a number of the firm's offices – including Singapore, New York and London – have recently completed six- and 12-month secondments with the firm's AI platform Nakhoda, before moving back to their practice groups. But the firm has now said it is now aiming to sign up one or two associates for permanent, non-legal roles within the team.

Linklaters moved its first associate into such a role in the team last April, with the lawyer in question moving from the firm's London derivatives practice.

In their new roles, the lawyers will act as a bridge between the wider firm and Nakhoda's developers, who work on bespoke legal tech products for clients and the firm itself.

Linklaters banking partner Edward Chan said Nakhoda was looking for "high-calibre" associates who "know exactly what lawyers are talking about", who can then explain to the developers what needs to be built.

"Individuals with a good understanding of legal practice and who are also conversant in tech to quite a high degree are quite scarce in the market," he said.

Individuals with a good understanding of legal practice and who are also conversant in tech to quite a high degree are quite scarce in the market

"We have queues of people wanting to do this," Chan added. "The associates we take on are all highly regarded by their home practices, which is important because we want someone who has credibility and can speak to front-line lawyers in various practices.

Edward Chan, Linklaters

"Sponsorship from the practices is absolutely key to making this work. It's a delicate negotiation with their business needs."

Chan said the quality of Nakhoda's developers is another reason for only using "high-calibre" associates. "Our developers are all highly impressive individuals in their own right," he explained. "They need to work with lawyers that they visibly respect."

Moving into any such role would be considered a career change for any lawyer, but Chan added a return to private practice "remained open" for any associates joining.

Recent initiatives undertaken by Nakhoda have included teaming up with the International Swaps and Derivatives Association to develop and pilot an online tool called Create-IM. Nakhoda's first full-time associate has been involved in developing and piloting the product.

Nakhoda is led by managing director Partha Mudgil, who is also a former Linklaters associate. It comprises approximately 20 developers, as well as about five to 10 other members of staff.