#63 - Is 2025 The Year Law Firms Finally Transform? - A Conversation with Matt Sunderman, CEO of Harbor Global
Release Date: 03/04/2025
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info_outlineWelcome 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.