In the recent Law360 Pulse article, “The Other Talent War: Firms Vying for Tech Pros In Hot Market,” Jonathan Redgrave discusses the benefits of Redgrave LLP’s non-traditional approach to acquiring and retaining tech talent.

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Jonathan Redgrave, managing partner of Redgrave LLP, said that while the firm has hired many technology and data specialists who are already familiar with the technology space, it has also benefited from a broader search. For instance, the firm hired a programmer from the Federal Reserve.

"The law wasn't exactly on their radar, but they've absolutely been able to transition and be terrific," Redgrave said. "It's really being able to be smart, and be at the top of their field, and then be able to plug into our world and learn more about the law, just like the lawyers learn a lot about technology, software and hardware applications."

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Redgrave said that the firm has for many years consciously brought on professionals who are not lawyers but understand data science, as well as actual hardware and software. And most importantly, Redgrave said, the firm has elevated these professionals to powerful positions in the firm, making them directors, managing directors and advisers.

Therefore, when the firm announced it was opening a data unit to help clients with legal tech, it was just a "continued extension" of the firm's approach to the marketplace.

"You need multiple disciplines," Redgrave said. But many firms are going to struggle with giving these other disciplines the same respect as attorneys, he said.

"I think that the challenge for the traditional firms is whether or not they can really break the tradition of the lawyers being the ruling class," he said.

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This goes back to the idea that law firms have to fully welcome a diversity of disciplines to not just attract talent but retain it, Redgrave said.

"I think [firms] can create a dynamic culture that really allows all the other non-JD professionals to say, 'Hey, I've got a voice. I've got a say. I can be here. And I'm really rewarded for it,'" he said.

Read the full Law360 Pulse article here.