The Legal Tech Agenda is not about chasing shiny tools or being first to adopt AI. It is about creating a disciplined, strategic roadmap for technology adoption that starts with the fundamentals: driving productivity per unit of lawyer effort through low-tech solutions first.

Why low-tech first? Because the fastest wins often come from simple process improvements, templates, and workflow clarity - not expensive platforms. These changes deliver immediate efficiency and prepare your team for digital transformation.

The golden rule applies: if a process doesn’t work offline, it won’t work online. Automating chaos only creates digital chaos. A Legal Tech Agenda ensures your processes are optimised before technology is layered on top.

Finally, legal will never be the determinative voice in enterprise tech decisions. Major platforms will be chosen by IT and business leadership. Your agenda must therefore prioritise apps and systems that integrate seamlessly with existing or planned enterprise technology roadmaps. Compatibility is not optional - it is survival.

The Legal Tech Agenda typically includes:

1. Low-Tech Productivity Wins: Templates, playbooks, and process maps to boost efficiency.

2. Offline Process Optimisation: Ensuring workflows are robust before automation.

3. Gap Analysis: Identifying inefficiencies and tech opportunities.

4. Enterprise Compatibility Check: Aligning with IT architecture and planned roadmaps.

5. Prioritisation Framework: Focusing on high-impact, low-complexity solutions first.

6. Change Management Plan: Preparing the team for adoption and cultural shift.

7. Budgeting and ROI Metrics: Setting realistic expectations for investment returns.

8. Innovation Roadmap: Phased approach to advanced tech (AI, analytics) after foundations are solid.

In GLS legal ops, the Legal Tech Agenda is considered a "Foundational" and a "Repeater" resource within legal operations.

The Foundational Resource: Is responsible for determining the overall performance capabilities of a “critical” legal function. If it is not optimised, the function can never be optimised. 

A Repeater Resource: Supports multiple legal functions, ensuring that structured legal requests improve contracting, dispute resolution, compliance, and advisory services.

The best practice features of the Legal Tech Agenda are as follows:

1. Low-Tech First Principle: Start with simple tools that deliver immediate productivity gains.

2. Offline Readiness: Validate processes before digitising them.

3. Enterprise Alignment: Ensure compatibility with corporate tech ecosystems.

4. Clear Prioritisation: Focus on initiatives that deliver measurable ROI quickly.

5. Governance and Compliance: Embed security and risk controls from the outset.

6. Change Management: Drive adoption through training and communication.

7. ROI Tracking: Monitor cost savings, time efficiencies, and performance improvements.

8. Continuous Review: Update the agenda as business needs and tech evolve.

The Legal Tech Agenda delivers the following value to the Business:

◼️Safety Network Framework: a safety network that guards against all too common costly legal tech mistakes

◼️Cost Efficiency: Avoids wasted investment in incompatible or unnecessary tools.

◼️Faster Deal Velocity: Streamlines contracting and approvals through optimised workflows.

◼️Risk Mitigation: Ensures compliance and security in tech adoption.

◼️Strategic Alignment: Positions legal as a proactive partner in digital transformation.

◼️Predictability: Provides a clear roadmap for tech integration and ROI.

For the legal team, the agenda provides:

◼️Clarity: A structured approach to tech adoption.

◼️Confidence: Ensures readiness before automation.

◼️Efficiency: Delivers quick wins through low-tech improvements.

◼️Empowerment: Enables legal to meet most needs without waiting for enterprise decisions.

◼️Scalability: Supports growth without increasing headcount.

The Legal Tech Agenda is essential for:

◼️General Counsel and Heads of Legal Operations

◼️Legal Transformation Leads

◼️CIOs and Technology Partners supporting legal functions

◼️Any legal team seeking to modernise and scale efficiently

A legal team operating without a Legal Tech Agenda will face a wide range of inefficiencies including:

◼️Fragmented Adoption: Disconnected tools and wasted investment.

◼️Integration Failures: Data silos and manual rework.

◼️Low User Engagement: Poor adoption and underutilised systems.

◼️Missed Automation Opportunities: Continued reliance on manual processes.

This station is inherently technology-driven but starts with process discipline. It impacts enterprise IT architecture and requires collaboration with technology teams. Legal must prioritise tools that are compatible with existing or planned enterprise platforms.

1. Why does GLS advocate low-tech first?

A: Because simple process improvements deliver immediate ROI and prepare teams for successful tech adoption.

2.  What is the golden rule for legal tech deployment?

A: If it doesn’t work offline, it won’t work online - fix the process before automating it.

3. Can legal dictate enterprise tech choices?

A: No. Legal rarely drives major IT decisions, so compatibility with enterprise systems is critical.
 
4. How do you measure ROI on legal technology?

A: Through cost savings, time reductions, improved compliance, and enhanced deal velocity.

5. Should AI be part of the Legal Tech Agenda?

A: Yes, but only after foundational processes and low-tech wins are in place.

6. What happens if legal skips tech planning?

A: It risks fragmented adoption, wasted budgets, and tools that fail to deliver value.

7. How often should the Legal Tech Agenda be updated?

A: At least annually, with quarterly reviews to reflect emerging technologies and changing business needs.

8. What are examples of low-tech wins?
 
A: Standardised templates, playbooks, and clear approval workflows.

9. Why is enterprise compatibility so important?

A: Because legal tech must integrate with corporate systems to avoid silos and duplication.

10. Does the Legal Tech Agenda include change management?

A: Absolutely - adoption and cultural readiness are critical for success.