Building resilience to future-proof your legal business
In episode 19 of Osprey Approach’s Empowering Law Firm Leaders podcast, Kate Burt – founder and CEO of Hive Risk and a leading expert in risk management and compliance – joined Amy Bruce, marketing director at Osprey Approach, to explore how law firms can future-proof their practices by building resilience
From developing strong leadership and vision, to embedding robust compliance frameworks and leveraging technology, Burt outlines the strategies firms need to navigate today’s fast-changing legal landscape.
Three fundamentals of resilience for SME law firms
Resilience is not just about surviving disruption, but thriving in it. Burt highlights three core pillars that underpin a resilient law firm:
1. Vision and leadership
At the centre of resilience is clarity of purpose. “You’ve got to have the vision of what you’re all in it for,” Burt explains. “There has to be a why — what is this law firm in business for?”
Firms need leaders who communicate that vision clearly and consistently, aligning staff, clients, and strategy around a shared direction of travel. This creates confidence and cohesion, even in uncertain times.
2. Risk management
Every law firm has its own unique risk profile, and resilience starts with understanding it. “Who are we as a firm, and what kind of work do we want to do?” Burt asks. From there, firms can anticipate vulnerabilities and put protective measures in place.
A proactive risk management framework should include robust policies and procedures, supported by training and technology that enhance compliance and efficiency.
3. Strong operational framework
Finally, resilience depends on well-designed systems that support both growth and stability. From marketing and business development to expert service delivery and financial discipline, firms need processes that work together seamlessly.
“Your sales and marketing functions have got to be strong,” says Burt. “Once you’ve got the work coming in, you’ve got to make sure you’re servicing that work well — having the right experts to deliver, and ensuring the quality is there.”
Three quick wins to improve resilience today
Burt stresses that building resilience doesn’t always require wholesale transformation — there are simple steps leaders can implement immediately.
1. Strengthen compliance
A solid compliance framework, backed by board-level buy-in and staff training, is the foundation of long-term resilience. “Getting the framework right and accurate, and getting buy-in from the board, is essential for establishing a robust compliance culture,” Burt advises.
2. Leverage fractional expertise
Resilience doesn’t mean doing everything in-house. Outsourcing critical functions — such as HR, IT or finance — to specialists provides access to high-quality support at a fraction of the cost of full-time hires. This allows firms to stay agile while still benefiting from deep expertise.
3. Invest in technology
The right tech tools can transform how firms work, driving efficiency and enhancing client service. From compliance checks to workflow automation, Burt explains that “technology plays a significant role in building a resilient law firm – improving operational efficiency and enhancing client service delivery.”
The role of technology in resilience
Technology is a recurring theme in Burt’s advice – not as a luxury, but as a necessity for firms that want to stay competitive.
- Operational efficiency: Digital tools reduce friction, automate processes, and free staff to focus on high-value tasks.
- Compliance and risk management: Standardisation through technology strengthens compliance and helps firms manage risks such as client due diligence and sanctions checks.
- Client experience: Technology enables faster, more seamless client journeys – an increasingly critical differentiator in a competitive marketplace.
- Scalability: Emerging innovations, including AI, create opportunities for firms to scale operations and meet evolving client demands more effectively.
As Burt notes, “The rise of AI, the rise of innovative tools, and the changing way that consumers want to buy legal services is completely different to what it used to be. To be successful in law, you need to be at the forefront of what you’re doing and have the vision to bring that to the marketplace.”
Building a culture of resilience
While frameworks and technology are vital, Burt emphasises that resilience is also cultural. Leaders must foster environments where staff feel supported, engaged and empowered to take ownership.
“If you can crack that and win the hearts and minds of the staff and the board as well, you’re really in a good place,” Burt says. Transparent communication, collaboration, and a focus on continuous improvement help firms respond with agility when challenges arise.
A future-ready law firm
From clear leadership and proactive risk management to operational discipline and technology investment, resilience requires a joined-up approach. For Burt, it comes down to vision: “You’ve always got to be working on yourself as a business leader. How can you show up better? How can you clear away the noise so you can see the vision?”
For law firms, resilience is not a one-time project but an ongoing journey. By committing to that path, leaders can position their firms to withstand uncertainty, seize opportunities, and secure long-term success.
Watch the full interview with Kate Burt now to discover more guidance on how to build resilience in your law firm. You’ll also hear her exclusive advice on the practices and behaviours that set successful, competitive firms apart.
