Right now, the legal industry is at a crossroads, facing big questions about what the future of legal tech looks like. From navigating AI applications to bespoke software solutions and balancing innovation with security, the path firms choose to take will either set them ahead of the curve, or have them playing catch up.
Emerging legal tech solutions are transforming everything from compliance monitoring to client relationship management. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to overhaul your entire firm overnight. What you need is a strategic roadmap for the future.
We partnered with the brightest minds and experts in legal research, product innovation and consulting to unpack this year’s legal trends and identify five key actions that innovation-focused law firms should take this year.
These insights from our comprehensive Legal Tech Trends 2025 Report will help your firm push past the noise and create a rock-solid roadmap that will meet your unique and evolving needs both now and well into the future.
1. Implement Strategic Tech Roadmapping:
Forward-thinking firms are moving away from ad-hoc technology adoption toward strategic planning that considers scalability and future needs. Cheryl Wilson Griffin, VP of Advisory Services at Legaltech Hub, makes an important comparison on this topic.
She stated that although “law firms, by nature, are not software development shops. The strategic mindset and planning required for long-term success with technology are often the same as those needed in software development.”
We agree, Cheryl. And long-term success in legal tech implementation will require more than just adopting the latest tools.
Key Takeaways:
- Develop a clear, structured technology implementation plan aligned with broader firm objectives
- Focus on modular and scalable solutions
- Create measurable milestones and success metrics
2. Address Tech Adoption Barriers Head-On
Cultural resistance and adoption challenges remain significant hurdles in legal tech implementation. Taking a proactive approach to identifying and addressing these barriers through comprehensive analysis and targeted solutions will set you up for long-term success.
Key Takeaways:
- Conduct research-based diagnostics to identify specific adoption challenges.
- Harvard Law School Distinguished Fellow Dr. Heidi Gardner emphasizes that “diagnostics should integrate strategic and wide-ranging inputs—including legal industry benchmarks, client perspectives, and empirically coded firm member input.”
- Integrate feedback from all stakeholders, including partners, associates, and support staff
- Create targeted training programs to overcome resistance
3. Focus on Problem-First Innovation
Start with clearly defined problems. This approach ensures that any technology investments made will directly address real business needs and deliver measurable value.
Key Takeaways:
- Start with clearly defined problems rather than chasing trending solutions
- Prioritize technologies that solve immediate operational challenges
- Ensure all tech investments align with specific business needs
Matt Pollins, CPO at Lupl, notes that “If something doesn’t solve a real, pressing problem for your lawyers or their clients, it will not bring any value.”
4. Embrace Data-Driven Decision Making
Strategic decision-making in law firms starts with a comprehensive understanding of your data. Research shows that firms with well-structured data analytics capabilities are better positioned to track performance trends and make strategic decisions about practice areas and resource allocation. That sounds like a win-win, to us.
Key takeaways:
- Structure data to track outcomes and ensure partner accountability
- Implement predictive analytics for innovative pricing models
- Use data-driven insights to enhance client service delivery
5. Enhance Existing Workflows Through Automation
Rather than pursuing complete system overhauls upfront, firms should identify specific opportunities for automation that deliver immediate value, while maintaining existing workflows. Targeting task-heavy administrative processes through technological innovation allows firms to gain massive efficiency while maintaining focus on core legal services.
Key takeaways:
- Identify specific opportunities for process automation
- Focus on administrative tasks with immediate ROI potential
- Implement AI-powered tools that integrate seamlessly with current systems for time savings
Ready to dive deeper?
According to our expert contributors, 2025 isn’t just another year of incremental change—it signifies a significant tipping point where the gap between tech-savvy firms and traditional practices is becoming even wider.
Our comprehensive Legal Tech Trends 2025 report delivers:
- In-depth discussions on topics that matter most in 2025 from four leading legal tech experts
- Actionable strategies and advice you can start implementing today
- Expert insights on overcoming common challenges, adoption barriers and more
Download the full report now to:
✓ Stay ahead of emerging legal tech trends and sift through the hype
✓ Learn how to overcome resistance to change
✓ Understand where you can implement solutions for immediate impact
✓ Future-proof your practice for 2025 and beyond
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