In the latest edition of our “Meet the Team” series, we caught up with Paul Hugel, Senior Solutions Consultant at Xperate. Paul shares how his background in IT and data shaped his career, what drew him to a more collaborative, end-to-end role, and how he approaches complex challenges in legal tech. He also reflects on the impact of AI on data migration and gives a glimpse into some of his more adventurous hobbies outside of work.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your career background.
My background has always been in IT and data. It started early when I was at school studying system analysis and design. As part of that, I had to find a client and design a solution for them, which is what first got me interested in this space.
Since then, my career has developed through a range of roles focused on data, migrations, and technical delivery. I have worked in legal technology and professional services, including leading teams, training colleagues on migrations, and delivering complex projects. Throughout that time, the common thread has been solving problems and working with data in a practical, structured way.
Why did you want to join Xperate, and what does your role involve day to day?
One of the main reasons I wanted to join Xperate was the opportunity to work on the full picture rather than just one part of a project.
In some previous roles, I would speak to a client once and then go away to build and deliver the solution. What I enjoy more is staying close to the client throughout, understanding the problem properly, and making sure what we deliver is exactly what they need.
Day to day, that means collaborating with both clients and the Xperate team, working across different types of projects, and contributing to solutions that go beyond just data migration.
Having joined in early March, I am still getting up to speed. I have been working on various things, shadowing client meetings, and preparing to take on my own projects. I am also working through certifications and looking forward to getting hands-on with full implementations, particularly involving new systems that I have not worked with before.
What challenges may you face in your role, and how could you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges is communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
In the legal tech space, there can sometimes be a gap between what is initially understood and what is actually delivered. My focus is on making sure everyone is aligned from the start and throughout the project.
That comes down to clear communication, regular check-ins, and making sure expectations are realistic and understood on both sides.
What motivates you to achieve success?
What motivates me most is coming across something new that I have not seen before.
If a challenge is unfamiliar, it pushes me to figure it out and find a solution. Earlier in my career, I worked on a migration for one of the largest law firms in the world, where I had to write scripts from scratch. It was completely new to me at the time, and that challenge is what drove me to succeed!
How have you seen the legal technology sector change over the past 20 years?
The biggest change by far has been AI.
Tasks that used to take significantly longer, such as writing scripts or handling complex data processes, can now be completed much faster. In some cases, it can reduce the time required by a third.
That said, AI is still a tool. It is a time-saver, but it is not something you can rely on without review. Particularly in the legal sector, everything still needs to be checked and validated. There is a long way to go, and human oversight remains essential.
How do you unwind outside of work?
Outside of work, I am a big fan of board games, both in person and online. A couple of my favorites are Wavelength and Blood on the Clocktower.
I also enjoy fishing and camping, particularly winter camping. I have camped in temperatures as low as -50°C (-58°F) and have learned how to build igloos and snow shelters.
I have travelled extensively across Canada and have visited every province and territory, which is something not many people can say. Earlier in life, I was also involved in a rock band, working on sound and lighting, which ties back to my interest in the technical side of things and also enabled me to travel extensively across Canada.
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn here.