Dr. Balthasar Strunz on the Evolving Legal Profession

The legal world is built on tradition - but in an era of rapid technological change, innovation is reshaping the field like never before. At Libra, we love speaking with legal professionals who are driving this change.

In this interview, we sat down with Dr. Balthasar Strunz, Head of Legal Commercial at Solaris SE, a Berlin-based banking-as-a-service provider at the forefront of financial innovation. We talked about his career journey, his unique perspective on the role of technology in law, and his vision for the future of the profession.

Balthasar, let’s take it from the beginning: What first sparked your interest in pursuing a legal career? 

It all began with a high school course called Economics and Law, where I first became fascinated by legal concepts—especially the mechanics of something as fundamental as a sales contract: how it takes shape and what makes it legally binding. On the one hand, these concepts are highly technical, on the other hand, they’re deeply connected to everyday life. 

I think that’s what captivates many of us legal professionals: seeing everyday interactions through a legal lens and understanding how this legal framework that overlays our society structures and shapes our daily lives. 

I found that incredibly fascinating, and I still do. Of course, as you dive deeper into legal philosophy and history, you also begin to appreciate the broader significance of the legal profession - the role it plays on a global scale and its fundamental importance in upholding the rule of law.

Tell us more about this global perspective. What role did your international experiences play in your career journey? 

They were truly transformative. My time in Belgium and South Africa has fundamentally shaped my understanding of law and its role in society. I saw firsthand that legal frameworks are never universal—they reflect the societies they govern, and what works in one context may not work in another. 

Take competition law, for example. In Europe, it is primarily driven by economic efficiency, while in South Africa, it also serves as a tool for social policy, addressing economic inequality and promoting broader development goals. In regions with widespread poverty, legal priorities inevitably shift. The law must adapt to these realities, or it risks becoming detached from the very people it is meant to serve. And when that happens, it cannot be a meaningful legal system anymore. 

That’s why I’m also convinced that understanding the law requires looking beyond textbooks and courtrooms. It’s about seeing how legal systems operate in practice, how they respond to societal challenges, and how they shape—and are shaped by—the world around them. 

Legal systems can never exist in a vacuum; they must conform to the lived realities of the people they’re meant to govern.

What excites you most about your work in law? 

For me, the essence of law lies in people. Human interaction is what drives me—far more than the technical exercise of law itself. Law doesn’t exist in isolation; it is shaped by those who create, apply, and respect it. That’s why I see the role of lawyers not just as rule-makers or enforcers, but above all as communicators. We don’t own the law—we guide others through it. We are navigators, helping people understand and engage with the legal system.

In this people-driven profession, how do you see the role of technology?

There’s a natural tension between opportunity and challenge when it comes to technology in law. Some fear that automation might replace human judgment, but I see it differently. Given that the world is becoming more and more complex, I believe that technology has a fundamental role to play in keeping the law that governs the world manageable. Technology, when used correctly, can make complex legal structures more accessible—whether through intelligent assistance systems, automated analysis, or new ways of sharing legal knowledge.  

I believe the key is not to replace the human element of law but to strengthen it with technology. 

How do you view the integration of AI in legal practice?

Modern AI technologies can help legal professionals navigate intricate legal landscapes while keeping human expertise at the core. 

If lawyers act as navigators for their clients, then modern technology can serve as the navigator for us lawyers. 

In an increasingly complex legal environment, this role is more critical than ever.

In general, the potential for AI to streamline legal processes is immense. It’s no longer just theoretical—AI is delivering real efficiency gains for legal professionals, not just for casual users asking ChatGPT about trivia. And I’m truly excited that AI is here, especially with Libra, because we now have the chance to leverage these technologies in a way that aligns with our real legal workflows.

With these rapidly evolving possibilities, what’s your approach to legal innovation?

I believe that openness is key in this context. I’m eager to explore how AI can transform the work of my team—not by replacing us but by complementing the human aspects of our work. The goal is to enhance our practice, make it more efficient, and ensure that human insight remains central.

My approach is pragmatic: I focus on real, practical use cases for me and my team. If a solution doesn’t work, so be it—but I’m genuinely excited about the potential. With Libra, we now have an AI solution that doesn’t just exist in theory but actually delivers value in daily legal practice. What makes the difference is that your team isn’t just technically sophisticated — you also truly understand the realities of how lawyers work and ensure that your product fits seamlessly into our workflows.