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Mark Webber: Scaling Legal Innovation in the Heart of Silicon Valley



When it comes to the intersection of law and technology, law firms are adopting different approaches to innovation.


Based in Silicon Valley, Mark Webber, US Managing Partner at Fieldfisher, is leading the charge—spearheading the firm’s AI Taskforce, advising legal tech startups, and tackling the complex challenges surrounding AI, data, and intellectual property.


Mark has played a pivotal role in Fieldfisher’s adoption of AI, including the development of its internally trained LLM, Maxton, which is designed to enhance efficiency and transform legal workflows. The firm’s holistic approach integrates technology with personalized client service, while prioritizing continuous training, communication, and cybersecurity to maintain the firm’s high legal standards.


With San Francisco as the backdrop of our dynamic legal innovation event, we sat down with Mark to explore the role of AI in law firms, the challenges of tech adoption, and the strategies that will define the future of legal services.


Mark will join us on June 11th during our Private Practice day for the panel discussion, ‘AI and The New Normal for Innovation Teams.’ Until then, enjoy his in-depth insights!


 

How do you see the role of law firms evolving in response to the rapid technological changes in the legal industry?


The role of law firms is set to evolve significantly with the rapid adoption of legal technology. AI, bots, and automation will transform existing lines of business and create new opportunities.

Enhanced client services will become a hallmark of technologically enabled law firms. Clients will have access to real-time information, advice, documents, and virtual consultations as standard offerings. Lawyers will need to blend this technology with their human-centric skills to guide clients through the complex technical landscape. Good lawyers will be known for their execution, not just their knowledge.

Law firms will also evolve into hubs for market-focused analysis. By combining vast amounts of data with bespoke analytics and human insight, firms can provide precise, client-centric opinions.

To remain competitive, law firms will need to make strategic decisions. They will either specialize their services to carve out niche markets, align with tech organizations to leverage cutting-edge technologies, or become volume generalists to cater to a broader client base.


How is your firm embracing new technologies, and what challenges have you encountered in the process?


We are generally cautious about big-bang roll-outs due to the risk of fragmentation from numerous third-party tools. Our biggest challenge is keeping up with the diverse preferences of our lawyers. While Windows, Outlook, and Teams may not be the most exciting, they are reliable and scalable workhorses. There's always a new, shiny tool that catches the eye of individual lawyers, but we must consider if it's scalable, compatible, and secure.

For important roll-outs, we identify internal champions across the firm who get early access and thorough training. They test the new technology and provide feedback. If necessary, we pivot and iterate based on their input. Alongside these pilots, we initiate change communications to drive proper adoption.


With clients increasingly demanding more efficiency and cost-effectiveness, how do you balance the use of technology with maintaining high standards of legal counsel and personalised client service?


Clients have sought cost-efficiency and effectiveness for years. Some clients bring us their own technology to interact and project manage. In practice, few clients demand specific technology from us – that's changing.

Much of the law remains a people business and trust and relationships remain the primary drivers of work. Fieldfisher balances the use of technology with maintaining high standards of legal counsel and personalized client service by leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, ensuring personalized client interactions, investing in continuous training, prioritizing open communication, and maintaining strong cybersecurity measures. This holistic approach allows us to meet our clients' demands for efficiency and cost-effectiveness while delivering exceptional legal services.


How do you think technology is impacting the career paths of lawyers, particularly with the rise of automation?


Honestly, the full impact of automation on lawyers' careers is yet to be felt, but it's coming fast. Technology will likely transform junior lawyers first, as simpler and more repetitive tasks become automated. Roles will change, and those who are digitally literate will adapt, potentially finding new legal-hybrid roles.

My biggest concern is legal training. Traditionally, lawyers have learned and become competent through repetitive tasks and on-the-job experience. If these early stages are automated, how does a new lawyer become capable? Finding a replacement for this training is crucial. I've seen demos of AI bots creating deal environments for practice, which is an alternative, but it's not very human.

While automation will streamline many tasks, it also poses challenges for our ongoing training and development. The key will be finding ways to integrate technology without losing the essential human elements of legal training and mentorship. Anticipating the impact on our people is a key pillar of Fieldfisher's internal innovation strategy.


What advice would you give to law firms that are just beginning to explore legal tech?


For law firms beginning to explore legal tech, it's essential to approach it strategically and focus on long-term success. Here’s my advice:

Align Tech with Business Strategy: Ensure your tech investments align with your firm's strategy. Avoid getting distracted by the latest trends or "shiny toys" that may not add real value. Focus on technologies that positively impact your bottom line, even if they aren't the most cutting-edge. The best investments are those that are adopted, understood, and used effectively by your team.

Choose Scalable Solutions: Opt for scalable solutions that can grow with your firm. This will save you from constantly switching systems and ensure your technology infrastructure supports your firm's expansion.

Invest in Change Management: Technology is only part of the equation. Often, the best investment is in change management activities, including training and support for your staff. It's not just about the tech itself, but how well your people can use it.

Pilot, Pivot, and Iterate: Start with pilot projects to test new technologies on a smaller scale before rolling them out firm-wide. This approach allows you to identify issues early and make necessary adjustments. Be prepared to pivot and iterate based on feedback and results.

Most importantly, leverage your internal experts. I'm a leader and lawyer with ideas, not a technologist.


What are the key strategies for successfully implementing a legal tech product rollout, and how can you effectively measure its tangible benefits?


The real secret to successfully implementing a legal tech product rollout isn't just the technology itself - it's the training and adoption. Lawyers are creatures of habit. While some push the curve, most need to be led and trained, then trained some more. It's not enough to add a widget to the desktop and give an hour of training. Adoption levels for new technology often hover around 20% because many lawyers don't take the time to learn and experiment, while others quickly try something and become detractors.

One of our early GenAI tools, an internally trained LLM called Maxton, had a soft launch with noticeable latency but added value. Many who used it got frustrated and criticized it. Over time, it became a tool I use daily. However, many wrote it off early and haven't returned, while others heard it was "bad" and never tried it.

Building a habit is crucial. Research shows good habits take months to form. Successful implementations drive habits. Measure and identify successes, and when observed, share them with everyone.


 

Secure your First Release Ticket today to hear from Mark and our other industry leading speakers at Legal Innovators California 4.0!






Credits: 

Content Curator: Phoebe Simpson

Graphics Designer: Charles Kabunga


 
 
 

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