Iain Telford, Head of Innovation at Maples Group, has outlined his approach to building a deliberate career in legal technology. His focus is on driving meaningful change across the legal industry — not just introducing new software, but reshaping how legal services are delivered.
Why deliberate career choices matter
Telford's insights center on intentionality. Instead of following a standard trajectory, he encourages professionals to think carefully about each career move. That means seeking roles where you can have an impact, not just climb the ladder. In legal tech, that could mean working on projects that automate routine processes or improve client access to legal resources. The goal is to avoid drifting into a job and instead build a career around what you want to change.
Driving meaningful change in legal industry
Change doesn't happen quickly in the legal sector. Telford emphasizes the value of persistence and a clear vision. At Maples Group, his role involves identifying where technology can solve real problems — whether that's streamlining document review, creating better client portals, or improving compliance workflows. The aim is to make legal work more efficient and more accessible. Telford argues that true innovation requires more than a pilot project; it demands a sustained effort to integrate new tools into everyday practice.
What this means for legal professionals
For lawyers and technologists considering a move into legal tech, Telford's message is simple: be deliberate. Know what you want to achieve and find an environment that lets you do it. The industry is hungry for people who can bridge law and technology. But that bridge doesn't build itself — it takes professionals who are willing to learn, adapt, and push for change.
How the legal sector will absorb these career strategies remains an open question. As firms compete for tech-savvy talent, the coming years will test whether deliberate career building becomes the norm or stays a niche approach. Telford's own path suggests that intentional choices, not luck, drive lasting change in legal innovation.
