How do law firms choose the right technology for their business?

With the growth and consolidation within legal technology it can be a minefield for firms to navigate how to choose the best technology for their business which both serves them now and supports with their future plans. 

Even experienced professionals can find the balance between investment, efficiency and compliance challenging. Its a topic on which Cathy Kirby and David Baskerville, legal technology consultants from Baskerville Drummond LLP are well placed to provide their expert insight as the latest Today's Conveyancer Podcast unpacks the complexities of legal tech, infrastructure, and strategic planning for law firms navigating digital transformation.

The discussion explores how law firms often underutilise their existing technology, likening it to using only 5% of Microsoft Word’s capabilities. Cathy and David stress the importance of understanding infrastructure readiness, data governance, and internal processes before adopting new tools or AI solutions.

They highlight the challenges of integrating systems across departments with differing workflows, and the resurgence of “best of breed” strategies as firms seek more specialised solutions. The conversation also covers the limitations of APIs, the risks of data leakage, and the importance of knowing where master records reside.

One topic they are both unequivocal on is cybersecurity, urging firms to prioritise due diligence, supplier audits, and accreditations like Cyber Essentials and ISO. They note increasing pressure from insurers and regulators, and the growing role of these standards in tenders and M&A activity.

The episode closes with a powerful reminder: law firms must invest in their IT teams. Cathy and David advocate for mentoring, training, and realistic expectations - emphasising that no single IT manager can be expert in everything from security to strategy.

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors PEXA and VacantC Legal Recruitment.