By Legal Futures Associate Osprey Approach
This podcast coincides with many law firms planning new software investments for early 2026 and offers practical insight into how firms can successfully select, implement, and embed legal technology for long term benefits.
In episode 27, Amy Bruce, marketing director at Osprey Approach, is joined in conversation with David Langdon, legal tech consultant, speaker, and author of Beyond the Features. Drawing on nearly 30 years’ experience in the legal sector, David shares practical guidance on planning, vendor selection, data migration, and change management to help firms modernise without unnecessary disruption.
This latest podcast includes:
- The key principles of effective legal tech implementation
- How to define your needs before buying software
- Why vendor selection should go beyond features
- Practical tips for managing data migration
- Change management strategies that drive adoption
David stresses that preparation is the foundation of successful implementation – too often, firms rush into purchasing software without clearly defining the problem they are trying to solve: – “If you don’t understand what you’re trying to achieve, even the best technology won’t deliver value,” he explains, urging firms to focus on outcomes rather than tools.
He also challenges the idea that technology projects are purely IT-led. “Technology changes affect everyone in the firm,” David notes, emphasising the importance of involving partners, lawyers, secretaries, IT, and finance from the outset. Building a broad stakeholder team ensures solutions align with real workflows and business needs, not just technical requirements.
Looking beyond features is another key theme. David encourages firms to assess how systems integrate with existing tools, meet security and compliance requirements, and fit firm culture. Strong vendor relationships, clear roadmaps, and realistic demonstrations of real-world scenarios are often more valuable than long feature lists.
Watch the full interview with David Langdon now to hear practical examples and adoption playbooks tailored to mid-sized and growing law firms. David also shares real-world advice on vendor conversations, managing data migration, and ensuring technology investments deliver long-term value.
Future episodes of the Empowering Law Firm Leaders podcast series will feature industry experts including the return of Simon McCrum, author of the Perfect Partner, and more advice on legal tech adoption from Shona Kaye at Laterna Consulting.
