Pearls On, Gloves Off #81 - The New Structure of AI Powered Law Firms
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Nov 11, 2025 David Duncan, a seasoned author and advisor on disruptive innovation, and Tyler Anderson, CEO of Disruptive Edge specializing in AI strategy, dive into how AI is radically transforming law and consulting firms. They discuss the shift from traditional staffing models to an 'obelisk' structure and the need for firms to adopt AI at their core rather than as an add-on. The duo also tackles the challenges of pricing, talent development, and the advantages nimble AI-first firms have over legacy systems, urging a proactive opportunity mindset towards AI.
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AI Erodes The Pyramid Base
- AI accelerates tasks that entry-level roles traditionally performed and can deliver similar outputs much faster.
- This capability forces firms to rethink staffing, career paths, and how expertise is created.
Design Around AI, Don't Retrofit
- Build services around AI capabilities instead of merely tacking AI onto old processes.
- Design new AI-first products and workflows that change how problems are solved for clients.
From Pyramid To Obelisk
- The pyramid staffing model will narrow into an 'obelisk' with fewer levels and more parity between roles.
- Firms will retain doing, project management, and senior client roles, but with different skill sets.
