The Legal Gathering

The Legal Gathering is an exclusive, invite-only private dining experience bringing together a select group of senior legal leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. Hosted in Manchester, this intimate evening will focus on the theme Law Firm of the Future, exploring how technology, culture, and transformation are reshaping the legal profession.

Curated and hosted by James Hill, our Change & Transformation hiring expert, the event is designed to go beyond surface-level discussions. Over dinner, we’ll create space for candid conversations, bold ideas, and valuable connections with peers who are driving change in the legal sector.

We'll be discussing

1. Are law firms innovating, or just chasing hype?

• FOMO vs. measured adoption - Are firms buying AI licenses and LegalTech solutions without clear ROI or governance?
• Vendor monopolies - Are mainstream platforms like Workday and Salesforce quietly outperforming “specialist” LegalTech vendors?
• AI is only as good as your data. Most firms struggle with data governance, quality and actionable insights. What are you doing about yours?
• If AI fails, who is responsible? Lawyer, firm or technology?

2. The biggest barrier to innovation isn’t technology, it’s the lawyers themselves.

• Lawyers are culturally hard to shift; shadow IT and citizen developers complicate adoption. How do we overcome resistance to change?
• Are BAs, Change Managers and Transformation leads truly able to influence decision-making in firms? If so, how have you done it?
• How do you deploy AI responsibly while maintaining client trust and service quality?

3.  Is the traditional law firm dying, or just being quietly reshaped?

• Is PE-driven acquisition reshaping law firms and fuelling innovation or hollowing out culture and partnership principles?
• AI and tech will augment roles, reduce pressure on junior lawyers and change the skillsets firms need. What are you predicting/forecasting?
• Will future law firms be truly tech-driven, or still fundamentally human in how they operate and deliver client value?