Pearls On, Gloves Off

#63 - Is 2025 The Year Law Firms Finally Transform? - A Conversation with Matt Sunderman, CEO of Harbor Global

Mar 4, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Matt Sunderman, CEO of Harbor Global and a veteran of the legal industry, shares his insights on law firm transformation. He reveals the spectrum of readiness among firms, from those poised for change to those lagging behind. Matt emphasizes that while technology is a catalyst for transformation, it's not the sole answer. He also dives into market consolidation trends and the implications of KPMG's entry into the U.S. legal market, highlighting the evolving landscape and the urgent need for innovation in legal services.

49:46

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Matt Sunderman

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Quick takeaways

The legal industry's transformation landscape varies significantly, with some firms lagging behind while others aggressively pursue technological advancement.

Despite financial success providing comfort, many law firms face pressure to innovate, thereby grappling with a trade-off between traditional models and modern demands.

As the legal tech market evolves, investor interest rises, spotlighting the potential for disruptive technologies that could reshape the future of legal services.

Deep dives

Spectrum of Transformation Readiness

There is a varying degree of transformation readiness among legal departments and law firms, reflecting a spectrum from those still operating with outdated practices to those aiming for advanced technological integration. This disparity is often attributed to different organizational priorities, with corporate law departments grappling with increasing demand for legal services while firms enjoy financial success, which can create inertia against change. As many firms have experienced consistent revenue growth over the past two decades, the motivation to innovate becomes less pressing, making it challenging to instigate change. Consequently, while some organizations are eager to adopt new strategies and technologies, others feel secure in their current successful models, creating a complex landscape for transformation.

Intro

1min

Navigating Change: Perspectives on Legal Industry Transformation

2min

Navigating Transformation in Legal Services

12min

Transforming Legal Operations

13min

Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Legal Innovation

2min

Navigating Change in Legal Services

17min

Navigating Legal Procurement Dynamics

4min

Welcome to another episode of Pearls On, Gloves Off with your host, Mary O'Carroll, Chief Operating Officer at Goodwin. In this episode, Mary sits down with Matt Sunderman, CEO of Harbor Global, to explore the current state and future of legal transformation across law firms and corporate legal departments.

Matt Sunderman brings over two decades of experience in the legal industry, leading Harbor Global, the newly branded combination of HBR Consulting, LAC Group, Wilson Allen, and others. His unique position at the intersection of law firms, corporate legal departments, and technology providers gives him invaluable insights into the ecosystem's evolution.

In this episode:

· The Spectrum of Transformation: How organizations vary widely in their readiness and approach to change, from those racing toward 2030 to those still operating like it's 1998.

· Drivers of Change: Understanding what's accelerating transformation in both corporate legal departments and law firms, and why some resist despite mounting pressure.

· The Technology Paradox: Why technology alone isn't the answer, but serves as a powerful catalyst for broader organizational change.

· Market Consolidation: Insights into the consolidation trends across legal tech, service providers, and law firms, and what it means for the industry.

· The Big Four's Impact: Analysis of KPMG's entry into the U.S. legal market and its potential implications for traditional law firms.

· Investment Opportunities: Why investors remain bullish on legal tech and services, despite the industry's unique challenges.

· Change Management: Practical advice on balancing current operations (80%) with future transformation (20%) and creating effective enterprise-wide change.

· 2025 Predictions: Why this year could mark meaningful advancement in both tech adoption and process transformation across the legal ecosystem.

For anyone interested in the future of legal services, technology adoption, or organizational transformation, this conversation offers valuable insights from one of the industry's most experienced voices.

Goodwin at HumanX

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