Face the change

The pandemic isn’t the only seismic shift law firms have had to contend with in recent years. From geopolitical instability and economic headwinds, to the ‘war on talent’ and technological innovations, the legal landscape is transforming — and rapidly. For our September feature, editor Reem Khurshid speaks to leaders at Ampa, Foot Anstey, Osborne Clarke and Shoosmiths about responding to risk in turbulent times, sizing up opportunities amid challenges, and core pillars driving their strategic growth plans — talent and technology.

• Get Briefing September 2023 via our app on Android
• Get Briefing September 2023 via our app on iOS
• Read Briefing September 2023 on your web browser

And as we approach Briefing Knowledge Leaders 2023 next month, editor-in-chief Richard Brent chats with co-chair Claire Stripp at Browne Jacobson about the ‘O Shaped’ vision to humanise legacy legal mindsets. Speaker Antoinette Dale Henderson, author of Leading with Gravitas, offers valuable tips for developing a key leadership skill. At Shearman & Sterling, Jessica Schokman and Jon Beaumont talk through transforming the firm’s approach to matter knowledge.

Also in this issue, Lauren Bridgen, global head of clients and sectors, shares Simmons & Simmons’ journey setting up its award-winning client programme, and Sarah Barnard at Linklaters explores what it means to embrace innovation responsibly in an ever-evolving regulatory and risk landscape.

Ahmed Shaaban, founder and managing director at Fulcrum GT, speaks to us about how he wants to help bring law firms and clients together in a joined-up marketplace. And at NetDocuments, chief product officer Dan Hauck explains why its recent AI offer, ndMAX, prioritises both security and flexibility.

You’ll find commentary from Edward Wilson at Autologyx on considering certainty when involving generative AI in process, Duncan Hannigan at Elite on the need to stay cyber-vigilant while adopting cloud-based solutions, and Katchr’s Graham Moore on using predictive analytics to empower strategic planning.

Elsewhere, a broad range of legal business analyses and perspectives include:

• Simon Farthing at LexisNexis Enterprise Solutions — talks liberating and empowering talent through technology.
• Maurice MacSweeney at Harbour — offers advice to litigators looking for new opportunities to add more value to their firm.
• Sam Elrazek at Datolite Solutions — explores leveraging the power of data analytics for better business intelligence.
• Chris Jefferson at Peppermint — outlines how taking a data-driven approach can improve employee retention rates.
• Paul Foster at sa.global — discusses the importance of understanding your market and what clients truly want.
• Lisa Walsh at Bundledocs — makes the case for reducing tedious and time-consuming work through automation.
• Rafi Shure at Aderant — talks redirecting IT resource to more strategic advantage by moving your PMS to the cloud.

EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT MATTERS

Jessica Schokman, product manager, and Jon Beaumont, head of business technology, discuss the global knowledge & research team’s rigorous journey to transform Shearman & Sterling’s approach to matter information.

BUILDING DEEPER TIES

Lauren Bridgen, global head of clients and sectors, shares Simmons & Simmons’ journey of setting up its client programme and how it has helped drive its growth strategy.

FACE THE CHANGE

Leaders at Ampa, Foot Anstey, Osborne Clarke and Shoosmiths discuss how key disruptors of the (so-far) turbulent 2020s — changing talent expectations and digital transformation — are core drivers of strategic growth in the post-pandemic future.