Cem Ucan, the well-known Innovation Product Manager at Baker McKenzie, is making a bold move to join Leya, a genAI startup, in order to drive the change he wants to see in the legal market. Ucan, who is currently based in Istanbul, will be relocating to Stockholm to be closer to Leya’s headquarters in Sweden. He first started his career as an associate at Baker McKenzie before transitioning to the legal tech industry in 2022. Now, he is taking a leap of faith by joining a startup and leaving behind a stable job. When asked about his decision, Ucan explained, “I chose Leya because it stands apart. They focus on specific use cases for M&A and disputes, which will be very useful. They also have a fantastic product roadmap.” He also emphasized his desire to work with a company that is not just making small changes, but is truly “changing the game.” Ucan believes that making small improvements, such as being 10% faster, is not enough to truly transform the legal industry. Instead, he wants to be a part of creating a tipping point that will challenge the traditional billable hour model and force a reevaluation of how legal work is structured. “We need to change how we measure lawyer performance internally,” Ucan stated, highlighting the need to move away from time as the sole measure of value. It is refreshing to see a legal innovation expert openly discussing the flaws of the billable hour, as it is a widely held belief within the industry but not often openly acknowledged. Ucan also expressed his appreciation for his time at Baker McKenzie, stating, “Baker McKenzie is an amazing organization and I have been blessed to work with great people.” However, he believes that the structural barriers within the legal industry are holding back his hopes for true transformation. This is why he has chosen to join Leya, a legal tech startup that leverages genAI to provide efficiency gains in various areas of work. “They are laser-focused, they are attacking problems, and they are incredibly dedicated,” Ucan said, admiring the company’s dedication to making a difference. He firmly believes that AI has the potential to truly transform the legal sector by shifting the focus from time to the speed of delivery. Ucan’s decision to join Leya is a testament to his belief in the power of AI to bring about real change in the legal industry.