The legal industry is at a pivotal moment, shaped by rapid technological advancements and shifting client expectations. On February 27th, 2025, a panel of legal leaders joined Legal IT Insider for a lively TalkingTech discussion on the biggest challenges and opportunities facing legal practice this year. If you missed the live session, here’s a recap of the key takeaways from the webinar.
Meet the Panelists:
- Sam Dixon – Chief innovation officer and partner at Womble Bond Dickinson
- Olivia Wyld – Legal transformation and innovation consultant, former global head of client delivery group at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- Alex Hamilton – CEO and founder of Radiant Law
- Doug Hargrove – Senior vice president for legal and professional services at OneAdvanced
- Caroline Hill – Editor of Legal IT Insider and panel chair
Key Discussion Points:
1. Biggest Challenges Facing Law Firms in 2025
The panel explored the most pressing concerns legal professionals are facing, including:- The challenges around GenAI adoption (fact v fiction and use cases)
- The pressure on pricing
- How firms will manage the sheer volume of change facing them
- Cybersecurity implications
- Is AI a red herring for lack of efficiency?
2. What will have the most significant impact on law firms this year?
This is a year for optimising operations and becoming more efficient, as well as focusing on talent retention and keeping lawyers embedded in the business. The panellists emphasised:- The growing role of AI in streamlining legal processes
- Increased demand for alternative fee arrangements
- The need for firms to differentiate themselves in a competitive market
3. How Law Firms Will Evolve in 2025?
Firms must embrace a culture of innovation to remain competitive. Predictions included:- Greater internal knowledge sharing
- A shift towards standard operating procedures (maybe at last)
- Greater collaboration between legal teams and technology providers
- Clearer GenAI use cases
- Enhanced focus on data-driven decision-making
4. The Role of Legal Software in Future Growth
Tech-enabled efficiency is no longer optional. Panelists discussed:- Some of the key lessons of the last few years
- The need for AI-powered document automation and contract management
- Cloud-based solutions for secure and efficient collaboration
- Data analytics tools for improved decision-making and efficiency