Law Tech Lessons for Small and Growing Firms

When people think of “Big Law,” they often imagine sprawling offices in the City, billable hours stacked like bricks, and armies of junior lawyers in tailored suits. For SMEs—especially those working with lean budgets and agile teams—it can feel like a world apart. But as someone who works closely with small businesses and keeps a sharp eye on how larger firms are using technology, I can tell you this: there’s a lot we can learn from big law firms—without copying their mistakes.

This post kicks off my Law Tech series with one clear message: technology is a great leveller, and there’s never been a better time for SMEs to borrow smartly from the strategies of larger legal players.

1. Invest in Systems Early

Big law firms invest heavily in infrastructure—practice management software, secure client portals, digital knowledge bases—and they do it because they understand the long-term value of operational efficiency.

As an SME, you might not need (or want) the complexity of enterprise-level tools, but you do need structure. Whether it’s Clio, LEAP, or Access Legal, there are affordable, SME-friendly platforms that can help you:

  • Manage client files securely
  • Automate repetitive tasks (like engagement letters or reminders)
  • Track deadlines and compliance obligations

If you're still relying on spreadsheets and email folders, it's time to upgrade. Don’t wait for your caseload to grow to the point of chaos.

2. Avoid Their Mistakes with Overengineering

Here’s the flip side. I've seen large firms overcomplicate their systems with overlapping software, internal bureaucracy, and custom builds that are difficult to maintain. SMEs can avoid that by keeping it simple, but scalable.

Choose platforms that integrate well, require minimal onboarding, and actually serve your core business. You don’t need a dashboard for the sake of having a dashboard—you need tools that solve real problems and give your team time back.

3. Prioritise the Client Experience

Top-tier firms understand that clients expect more than legal advice—they want clarity, communication, and control. That’s why you’ll see them offering online portals, automated updates, and digital document sharing.

You can do the same—at a fraction of the cost.

I’ve seen SMEs delight clients simply by:

  • Using e-signature tools (like DocuSign or Adobe Sign)
  • Offering Zoom/Teams meetings instead of in-office appointments
  • Providing easy-to-read summaries alongside formal documents

Client satisfaction is no longer just about results—it’s about the journey.

4. Explore AI (Yes, Even Now)

I get it—AI can feel like a buzzword. But many large firms are already integrating tools like Harvey AI, Luminance, and even ChatGPT-based solutions to support drafting, document analysis, and legal research.

SMEs can benefit too.

I’ve personally used AI to:

  • Generate first-draft contracts and internal policies
  • Summarise legal decisions and create blog content
  • Spot patterns in case data or client queries

The key is not to replace your judgement—it’s to give yourself a head start.

5. Learn from Their Security Focus

Cybersecurity is one area where big law often leads. With reputations and client data on the line, they’ve had to get serious about encryption, two-factor authentication, and robust data policies.

SMEs are just as vulnerable—if not more so. Even a single phishing email or data leak could damage your reputation beyond repair.

If you’re not sure where to start, focus on:

  • Cloud storage with end-to-end encryption (Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 Business Premium are solid bets)
  • Two-factor authentication on all devices
  • A clear, written data handling policy

Final Thoughts: Learn, Adapt, But Stay Authentic

I’m not suggesting small firms mimic big law or lose the agility and authenticity that makes them so effective. But we can absolutely learn from the best parts of their playbook—particularly when it comes to how they use tech to streamline operations, enhance client service, and protect their practices.

In this Law Tech series, I’ll keep diving into practical ways we can build modern legal services that work for real people and real businesses—without the jargon or the overhead.

Onward, with clarity and code.