Application

The following is a series of example demonstrations of competency for each domain of legal work. This is a non-exhaustive list to clarify this competency framework and provide examples of learning objectives/competency demonstrations for those seeking to create an educational program based on it. 

Please note: The author of these samples is not an advanced level user in every domain of work so there may be more appropriate ways of assessing the levels of skills and knowledge needed for each domain. 

Also, an actual program of competency training or assessment should build upon existing and newly learned skills and knowledge as one progresses through a type of tool (e.g., Excel) or knowledge area (e.g., DEI). There would also be several demonstrations of competency within each.

Finally, for demonstrations of intermediate and advanced knowledge and skills, one could consider blending knowledge domains. For example, find and install an open source version of an enterprise office software and then perform intermediate or advanced skills with them. 

At the end of this section will be resources for creating a customized learning path. 

Collection and Creation of Legal Information and Knowledge 

Sample Foundational Knowledge and Skills

• List the benefits of using a clause bank when drafting contracts.
• Name at least two tools that would enhance the writing quality of a brief.
• Name the types of research resources and coverage in your Westlaw subscription.
• Be able to explain the process of saving and retrieving documents to our DMS. 
• Name the type of tool best used when redacting documents and define what makes a successful redaction.
• Use formatting buttons to create changes in the appearance of text in a document in Microsoft Word.
• Explain the difference between Boolean and Natural Language Search.

Sample Intermediate Knowledge and Skills

• Draft a contract using a clause bank. . 
• Check out, edit, and re-save a document to a DMS with appropriate tags applied. 
• Analyze the license or copyright status of an image and determine if it may be used on a firm website.
• Draft a brief with the assistance of a tool such as WordRake or Briefcatch. 
• Analyze the types of documents frequently used in the course of business and determine which are appropriate for use in a document automating tool. 
• Apply a previously created style to a document in Microsoft Word. 

Sample Advanced Knowledge and Skills

• Evaluate the current tags used in a DMS, CLM, or other knowledge management tool that you have access to and determine if appropriate for your needs. Design a new taxonomy and revise if necessary (with permission from tool administrator, if applicable.) 
• Design workflows with a document automation tool to automate documents. 
• Adapt content from an existing boilerplate file into a clause bank using a commercial product. 
• Select appropriate feeds from a docketing service and create delivery endpoints such as email or DMS.
• Create forms or templates in Microsoft Word. 

Assembly, Analysis, & Application of Legal Information and Knowledge

Sample Foundational Knowledge and Skills

• Name at least two tools that could create data visualizations.
• Perform basic sorting and combination functions using excel. It is acceptable to refer to guides or help text while doing so.
• Explain the types of analysis generally performed by a contract review tool. List the benefits of this information.
• Explain the use and function of eDiscovery tools.
• Describe the difference between machine learning, unsupervised learning, and neural networks.
• Explain the difference between APIs and Webhooks.

Sample Intermediate Knowledge and Skills

• Use an enterprise translation tool such as Language Weaver to translate a legal document into another language.
• Use a redaction tool to locate and redact confidential or protected information.
• Use a connection tool such as Zapier to perform an automation, such as create a message in Slack when a DocuSign envelope is returned. 
• Import data from external sources into PowerBI and perform several manipulations of it. 
• Perform basic analysis using a tool or program such as Excel or Python. 
• Connect two services using an API.
• Perform and understand analysis in eDiscovery, contract review, or Judicial analytics tools. 
• Subscribe to RSS feeds using a feed reader or via email. 

Sample Advanced Knowledge and Skills

• Perform training on a contract review, eDiscovery, or other analytic tool to enhance out of the box offerings. 
• Create a variety of data visualizations appropriate to various data and output needs. 
• Design an automated workflow using APIs or webhooks without relying upon a tool like ITTT or Zapier 
• Create repeatable functions in Excel using VBA and/or macros. 

Delivery of Legal Knowledge and Services

Sample Foundational Knowledge and Skills

• List features often included in CLM systems.
• Add documents and engage with workflows in a contract management tool.
• List the types of content that a practicing lawyer could post on a blog or other type of social media.
• Explain the types of workflows or knowledge delivery that could be enhanced by an expert system.
• Name at least two no-code website builders.

Sample Intermediate Knowledge and Skills

• Compare and contrast the functions of an Expert System and a Document Automation tool. 
• Analyze the type of information that should be on a website for a law firm. Construct a website or blog using a no-code/low-code tool such as Wix, WordPress, or SquareSpace. 
• Analyze the steps and information needed by a Self-Represented Litigant and create an expert system designed for a non-legal professional. 
• Use a transaction management tool to locate signature pages and add eSignature capability and send to an opposing party or client. 
• Determine which arbitration matters currently involved in would be appropriate for an Online Dispute Resolution platform. 

Sample Advanced Knowledge and Skills

• Create a contract lifecycle with automated workflows in a CLM tool. 
• Automate workflows in a litigation management or similar tool. 
• Map and create an expert system capable of answering potential legal questions for clients or appropriate for in-house use. 
• Create a regular publication schedule and content calendar for a blog or social media service. 
• Design a website and demonstrate the ability to alter code and templates provided by website builder software. 

Business and Practice of Law

Sample Foundational Knowledge and Skills

• Name at least two options for process improvement. 
• Explain the types of workflows and knowledge contained in Matter Management tools.
• Describe what a Practice Management tool does. Explain the benefits of using a Practice Management tool. 
• Describe potential security and privacy issues with using a mobile device for work related activities. 
• List the types of workflows and other activities that can be enhanced by using a client portal.

Sample Intermediate Knowledge and Skills

• Differentiate between a secure communication platform and using email or a phone. Communicate with a colleague or client using a secure communication platform. 
• Organize a project into steps. Use a Project Management Software program such as Coda or Trello to map and assign elements to oneself or colleagues. 
• Analyze the security stance of a cloud-based tool used by your firm or organization. 
• Organize email inbox through the use of filters. 
• Analyze which clients need to have a KYC/AML review.
• Compare and contrast the offerings, benefits, and potential downfalls between vendors offering equivalent products. 

Sample Advanced Knowledge and Skills

• Action verbs associated with this level of competency are: combine, design, create, evaluate, measure, revise, adapt, alter, construct, and organize.
• Map and automate workflows in a practice or matter management tool. 
• Design and implement brand styling in one’s email system. 
• Evaluate and choose technology products based on compliance with ethical or privacy guidelines.

Legal Professional as a Human

Sample Foundational Knowledge and Skills

• Explain how a diverse team improves decision making capabilities. 
• Describe three sources of continuing professional education available for free or provided by employer. 
• Name at least one alternative professional social activity that does not involve alcohol. 
• Provide at least two reasons why resource management tools can improve attorney performance. 

Sample Intermediate Knowledge and Skills

• Relate the offerings from online learning platforms to individual professional development needs. 
• Analyze the DEI and ESG status of potential panels. This can be done using an RFP platform or other means. 
• Analyze deficiencies in one’s life and apply the concepts of well-being to enhance emotional health. 
• Analyze roadblocks to adoption or a process or tool and apply change management techniques.

Sample Advanced Knowledge and Skills

• Create an evaluation metric for DEI success in an organization. 
• Revise an employee well-being program based on evaluations of employee satisfaction surveys. 
• Create and deliver a professional development program based on professional expertise. 
• Design an equitable work assignment program using a resource management tool. 

New and Emerging Technologies and Ideas

Sample Foundational Knowledge and Skills

• Name open-source alternatives for common office applications. 
• Explain how open content can be beneficial to the innovation ecosystem. 
• List the areas of law affected by drug legalization. 
• Explain how a Smart Contract works. 
• Describe how ChatGPT and other LLM based tools differ from “traditional” artificial intelligence.

Sample Intermediate Knowledge and Skills

• Use a publicly available generative AI tool to create content (image, text, or otherwise) for use in a social media or blog post. 
• Distinguish bail reform from prison abolition. 
• Differentiate the various levels of autonomous vehicles for person and industry use. 
• Use a commercially available LLM based tool to summarize a collection of legal primary information. 
• Analyze if a blockchain based solution is appropriate for a specific use case. 

Sample Advanced Knowledge and Skills

• Using a LLM based tool created for the legal world (such as forthcoming tools from NetDocuments or Thomson Reuters), create specific chains of prompts to generate drafts of legal content. 
• Be able to provide reasoned analysis combining the potential benefits and drawbacks of a new topic such as autonomous appropriate for publication in a general interest publication. 
• Select an open license that best suits the individual or organization’s needs and apply to a piece of software or content.

Creating a Learning Path – Sample Worksheet

If you would like to create a learning path for yourself or others, I would suggest starting by creating a grid like the one pictured below. For each Domain, pick a type of tool or body of knowledge that you would like to improve. For example, for Collection and Creation of Knowledge, one could choose Microsoft Word or the Intellectual Property considerations of content found on the Internet. Then, review the types of demonstrations of knowledge and skills for each level as well as key action words.  Finally, create or find educational resources that allow an individual to gain those skills. 

The Grid

Domain	Specific Skill or Knowledge to learn	Foundational Competency   Goal: obtain Foundational Competency for at least one type of skill or knowledge in each of the six domains.	Intermediate Competency   Goal: obtain Intermediate Competency for at least one type of skill or knowledge in three of the six domains.	Advanced Competency   Goal: obtain Advanced Competency for at least one type of skill or knowledge in at least one of the six domains.
Collection and Creation of Knowledge
Assembly, Analysis, & Application of Information and Knowledge
Delivery of Knowledge and Services
Business and Practice of Law
Legal Professional as a Human
New and Emerging Technologies and Ideas

Sources of Online Educational Content:

Procertas https://www.procertas.com/ 

LinkedIn Learning https://learning.linkedin.com/

EdX https://www.edx.org/ 

Coursera https://www.coursera.org/ 

Skillburst https://www.skillburst.com/

Udemy https://www.udemy.com/ 

Codecademy https://www.codecademy.com/

Data Camp https://www.datacamp.com/