How to build a tech-first law firm: insights from Osprey Approach’s podcast series
In episode 15 of Osprey Approach’s Empowering Law Firm Leaders podcast, Peter Ambrose, founder and CEO of The Partnership and Legalito, speaks to Amy Bruce, marketing director at Osprey, about the critical elements of building a tech-first law firm, the importance of failing fast, and the benefits of legal technology
There are three key ingredients for successful modern law firms, believes Peter Ambrose, founder and CEO of The Partnership and Legalito:
- Understand and manage risk: Peter believes that complacency is detrimental and that law firm leaders must “Understand risk, face it down”. By identifying where problems might arise and proactively addressing them, firms can mitigate potential threats and operate more smoothly.
- Protect your people: This is a cornerstone of Peter’s leadership philosophy. “Not enough law firm owners understand the importance of protecting people and pay lip service to it,” he says. Ensuring that employees feel supported and valued not only boosts morale but also enhances overall firm performance.
- Commit to continuous improvement: Peter advocates for a relentless pursuit of improvement and encourages firms to adopt a mindset of always striving to do better. “Whatever you’re doing today, accept that it’s okay, but you’ve got to do better,” he asserts.
The importance of accountability
Peter attributes much of his success to his hands-on approach and accountability. “You’ve got to be in it with your colleagues. You can’t lock yourself away and say, ‘I’m too important for that problem’,” he states.
This approach extends to dealing with clients and ensuring that issues are addressed promptly. “If you make a mistake, tell someone,” he insists. “There’s nothing worse than sticking it in the bottom drawer and hoping it’ll go away. It never goes away.”
Peter also emphasises the importance of humility and shared responsibility. “Everyone does the binding,” he says, referring to the practice of assembling documents. “We’re never too big. We’re never too important to do that.” This philosophy ensures that all team members, regardless of their position, contribute to the firm’s success.
Adopt a ‘fail fast’ mindset
Peter is a strong advocate for the “fail fast” approach — a concept he brought from his tech background into the legal sector. “If you see something that’s not right, fix it quickly,” he advises.
“One of the problems [the sector has] is the concept that you couldn’t fail. You couldn’t make a mistake. Things couldn’t go wrong because the consequences were so massive,” he says. “It’s only in recent years where we’ve had the confidence to say, actually, you know what, if something’s not right, then you need to recognise it and fix it.”
Peter emphasises the need for continuous review and improvement of processes to ensure firms remain agile and responsive to changes.
Harnessing tech to mitigate risk
For Peter, the primary driver for implementing new technology is risk reduction. “Always start with risk reduction. Where can we go wrong, and what can we put in place to make sure we don’t go wrong?
“Stop the human element of rekeying, because that’s where the risk lies…that’s where the mistakes are made,” he says. By focusing on reducing risks, law firms can also achieve greater efficiencies and productivity as a natural consequence.
Peter believes that an unsung benefit of technology is its ability to support lawyers by providing them with the data they need to defend themselves against client accusations. He explains that clients can often be hostile and make accusations about delays or mistakes. Technology can help lawyers by offering clear, disarming data that sets out the timeline of events and the action taken.
He emphasises that this benefit is often overlooked — yet it is crucial for maintaining lawyer confidence and ensuring efficient handling of complaints. This use of technology helps protect employees and supports a more transparent and accountable working environment.
Tech-first approach for sustainable benefits
Building a tech-first law firm requires a combination of the right mindset, continuous improvement, failing fast and should always focus on risk management. By embracing technology and fostering a culture of accountability and respect, law firms can position themselves for success in the modern legal landscape.
Watch the full interview with Peter Ambrose now to discover more advice and guidance on building a tech-first law firm. You’ll also hear Peter’s exclusive advice on becoming a more agile law firm and hear further lessons learnt from his own journey to building The Partnership to a successful, 85-strong team.
