Walker Clark Worldview
commentary and insights for law firm leaders
Past the Pilot Stage: What Small and Midsize Law Firms Must Do About AI in 2027
In January 2026, we wrote that over the next three years AI tools would move from standalone apps into the tools lawyers already use, and that even "late adopters" would encounter AI during normal work whether or not their firm had an official AI program.
That three-year forecast took about nine months to come true.
Is Your Law Firm Ready for a Thought Experiment?
Law firms are under pressure from shifting client expectations, new technologies, and non‑traditional competitors. In this environment, a glossy five‑year plan is not enough; firms need a way to understand and rehearse the future before it arrives. Strategic thought experiments offer a practical way to do exactly that — not just to see into the future, but actually step into it.
When Good Legal Work is not Good Enough
As they move into the late 2020s and beyond, law firms that want to stay relevant and profitable can no longer define success as simply giving accurate legal answers on time and on budget.
They must reposition themselves as strategic partners who help clients achieve business outcomes, not just resolve legal issues.
