Given the heightened market competition, higher client expectations and macroeconomic developments putting pressures on law firms, the hunt for greater productivity is now a top priority for firm leaders. In this issue, we explore what elements are essential to keep law firms running like a well-oiled machine — and how to effectively overcome the top barriers threatening the efficiency of your firm.

In this edition:

• Law firm leaders from Merali Beedle, Thomas Flavell & Sons and Underwood & Co share their approaches for maintaining and boosting productivity — a delicate balancing act for SME firms.

• Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) CEO Sean Stuttaford discusses the potential impacts of the government’s plans to raise funds through an Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts Scheme in England and Wales.

• Alice Roseman, practice manager at Jonathan Lea Network and head of operations at Balance in Business, explores the missing piece in discussions about gender equality and highlights steps law firms can take to improve gender outcomes.

Plus:

• Sean Howarth, head of sales at TA-Triumph Adler, explores how a well-managed print environment can strengthen a law firms’ security system.

• Ben Aslet, marketing manager at SOS Legal, explores the power of integrated technology in enhancing collaboration, workflows and client experience.

• John Yardley, founder and CEO at Threads, highlights the transformative potential of AI-enabled call transcription while offering guardrails against issues of privacy and security.

• Lucy Gosling-Myers, senior client development manager, people solutions, at Lockton explains how strategic collaboration between HR and risk management teams can mitigate against the effects of poor mental health outcomes.

• Vivian O’Brien, head of marketing at Clio, discusses the common problem of legal software fragmentation, and outlines how integrations can help your firm build the dream legal tech stack.

• Brian Rogers, regulatory director at Access Legal, explores how law firms will be impacted by the significant recent and impending developments in conveyancing law.