The head of IT at leading Scottish law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has become the first non-lawyer to be awarded a new accreditation for legal technologists run by the Law Society of Scotland.

Steve Dalgleish becomes the fourth accredited legal technologist under the scheme, which was launched last year, and aims to promote and develop the role played by technology within the legal profession.

The scheme recognises the emergence of a range of new roles within the legal sector, including legal process engineer, legal analyst and legal technologist.

Skills recognised include excelling in data security, collaboration and knowledge management and applications are approved by an advisory board.

Dalgleish is co-head of the firm’s faster working unit, which aims to improve processes such as document automation, and was recognised for his role in developing and implementing technological infrastructure and solutions for legal services.

“This accreditation reflects the work we do to help our clients address complex legal and business issues through the use of people, process and targeted technology,” he said.

Rob Marrs, head of education at the Law Society of Scotland, said Dalgleish had a “strong track record as a leader in legal technology and is highly respected within his organisation and across the legal and tech sectors for his knowledge, skills and drive to innovate”. 

He added: “We hope that our accreditation will become something that those working in legal technology around the globe will wish to hold as it provides assurance to the public, clients and to the legal profession.”

The first person to win accreditation was Sam Moore, innovation Manager at Burness Paull.