SMU signed memorandums of understanding with the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) and the Info-communications Media Development Authority yesterday as part of SAL’s launch of the Future Law Innovation Programme. SMU will be SAL’s academic partner for issues relating to legal innovation and the future business of law. The move is part of an effort to push the legal profession to utilise tech innovation as well as groom legal tech start-ups and incubate new business services or models conceived by law firms. SMU law students will get opportunities to identify problem areas faced by the legal industry. A panel of experts including Dean of SMU School of Law Associate Professor Goh Yihan stressed the importance of law firms and in-house counsel embracing technology during a panel discussion yesterday morning.