Michalsons South Africa hosted the global Lexing Network’s 2023 AGM in Cape Town, South Africa on 16 and 17 November 2023. Bringing together data protection, IT and AI specialist attorneys from seventeen countries from around the world, this event allowed us to take stock of the actions carried out during 2023, explore the evolution of the network and agree on our focus areas for the future (including AI law, NewSpace Law and virtual reality). Members made several decisions during these two days that will enhance our ability to deliver practical legal solutions to clients across the globe.

Lexing is an international network of lawyers dedicated to digital and emerging technologies law.

We believe that the Lexing Network is the largest group of information technology lawyers in the world, with hundreds of tech lawyers in many countries. There are almost one hundred just in France alone.

We explored the latest in lawyers using generative AI to practice law, legal design including feedback from the Legal Design Summit, and got an overview of The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project.

Key takeaways for clients and members

Lexing is uniquely positioned to help global organisations with universal issues.

  1. Our strength is our global approach, including a particular focus on Africa. (Lexing Africa now has representation from seven key African countries.)
  2. We’re perfectly positioned to understand, distil and respond to the global regulatory challenges of cutting-edge technology introductions – especially around generative AI.
  3. We finalised our new website to showcase the value we can add.
  4. We have offices in the metaverse, which enables us to collaborate like we’re in the same room and service international clients.
  5. We’re also primed to leverage our abilities by incorporating AI into our practices.
  6. Programmes are essential tools for our clients to learn, plan, implement and sustain their regulatory practices.
  7. Clients benefit from our access to skills and insights from around the world – the Lexing Network comprises members from about 35 countries who meet monthly in the metaverse.
  8. Spending time in person building relationships and discussing common interests is time well spent.

There was also time to connect and network

We timed the AGM so that members could attend the Africa Tech Fest 2024 where they were able to learn more about the latest technologies and network with industry leaders.

Lexing members collaborate, share and help each other.

Of course, we loved sharing beautiful Cape Town, hikes up Lionshead, fun dancing at Gold Restaurant, a cablecar trip up Table Mountain, the ubiquitous Clifton sunset and delicious meals at various wine estates.

Where are the next Lexing meetings?

The next AGMs will be held in Paris on 4 and 5 November 2024 and in London in 2025.

The 68th UIA Congress will take place in Paris (France) from October 30 (Wednesday) to November 3, 2024 (Sunday) at a venue which is next door to Lexing Alain Bensoussan Avocats offices. The Lexing Network AGM is held in Paris every second year which means that 2024 will be in Paris. Lexing France proposes that the next Lexing Network AGM be on 4 and 5 November 2024 in Paris at their offices. This will enable members to attend both events and make the most of the trip.

Leading information technology lawyers attended

Many of the Lexing lawyers. Pictured above at Steenberg in Cape Town: Padraig Walsh – Hong Kong; Szabolcs Perlaki, Zsofia Olah, Miklos Oban – Hungary, John Giles, Nicci Giles – South Africa, Jean-Francois Henrotte – Belgium, Katarina Bohm Hallkvist – Sweden; Annick Imboua-Niava – Ivory Coast; Jan Mulligan – USA, Frederic Foster – France; Dudley Kneller – Australia, Danny Preiskel – United Kingdom, Sina Bader – Germany; Toomas Seppel – Estonia, David Luyt – South Africa, Anthony Peralta – Philippines, Alain Bensoussan – France, Marc Gallardo – Spain.

Note: Lexing® is a registered trademark of the Lexing Network.