SILL ABIGEL
PARTNER, HEAD OF DATA PROTECTION AND EMPLOYMENT, KNP LAW
BACKGROUND
Abigél Sill is the head of KNP LAW's Data Protection and Employment Practice Group, specializing in commercial and transactional projects. Her expertise encompasses labor law, data privacy, marketing, advertising, and consumer protection. She possesses extensive knowledge of both the pharmaceutical and automotive sectors. After completing her legal studies at ELTE, she pursued postgraduate studies specializing in data security and data protection. She interned at the Corporate Department of a multinational law firm’s global headquarters in London.
Outside the office, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, playing as well as watching sports and listening to music, particularly hard rock and metal. She is an avid runner and has a keen interest in car racing events. AI IS DISRUPTING THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT. HOW HAS YOUR FIRM BEEN ADAPTING TO THIS TRANSFORMATION TO HARNESS THE ADVANTAGES OF THE TECHNOLOGY? The legal industry has always been open to technological advancements, but the recent emergence of large language models — commonly known as AI — is transforming legal work in unprecedented ways. From contract analysis to legal research and client communication, these models are rapidly becoming an integral part of legal work.
“Our experience shows that client expectations are evolving toward greater value, transparency, and technological sophistication — areas where ambitious boutique firms can effectively outmaneuver larger competitors.”
As a law firm dedicated to delivering high-value legal support, we actively explore how to leverage the benefits of AI technology. By utilizing AI-based tools, we aim to enhance efficiency while ensuring that our professional competence – still reliant on the essential “human touch” – remains intact. HOW DOES THE WIDESPREAD USE OF DIGITALIZATION AND AI AFFECT YOUR HEADCOUNT AND REVENUES? AI-driven tools have revolutionized the legal industry by automating routine tasks such as document review, legal research, and compliance checks, prompting a shift toward more value-added work. As the focus on repetitive tasks diminishes, attorneys at all levels can concentrate on the substantive merits of their assignments and the creative aspects of legal practice - creating legal strategies and identifying broader connections. This shift not only makes legal work more challenging but also more enjoyable. We are witnessing an increased demand for highly skilled professionals, as digital tools can efficiently manage mundane, routine tasks. But digitalization has also positively impacted our revenue model, enabling us to serve more clients and handle more complex cases without growing our headcount.
WHAT IMPACT IS THE EU AI ACT GOING TO HAVE ON THE HUNGARIAN LEGAL LANDSCAPE AND THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF YOUR CLIENTELE? As a regulation directly enforceable throughout the EU, the AI Act is set to significantly influence the Hungarian legal landscape, much like the GDPR did in 2018. One of its main impacts will be heightened awareness in this area. As a lawyer specializing in data protection, I find the interplay between the EU AI Act and the GDPR particularly intriguing and look forward to addressing the questions that may arise from the simultaneous application of these two regulations, alongside the specificities of Hungarian law. We also expect the AI Act to have a significant impact on our clients, as a majority of them come from the pharmaceutical industry, where AI will play an increasing role in the fields of drug development, clinical trials or even in promotional activities. We are ready to proactively guide our clients through the complexities of the new regulations, ensuring compliance with the rapidly evolving legal framework.
THE RULE OF LAW HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN HUNGARY FOR SOME TIME NOW. HOW CAN LAW FIRMS OPERATE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES TO PROTECT THEIR CLIENTS AND THEIR OWN BUSINESS? In uncertain times, cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders, including regulators, can provide a considerable advantage. We focus on establishing connections in these areas to better anticipate potential legal shifts. By staying informed, law firms can offer early warning systems, enabling clients to adjust their strategies proactively. It is also crucial to maintain clear and honest communication. Clients must be able to rely on their legal support during times when a shifting legal landscape may lead to unforeseen challenges
IS THERE MORE CONSOLIDATION ON THE HORIZON, OR DO INDEPENDENT BOUTIQUE FIRMS HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE IT BIG WITH THE HELP OF CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY? As an independent boutique law firm, we embrace the potential of AI tools to enhance our clientele while ensuring that our daily tasks remain engaging and challenging. Our experience shows that client expectations are evolving toward greater value, transparency, and technological sophistication — areas where ambitious boutique firms can effectively outmaneuver larger competitors.
