Webinar replay: Modernising case management systems – What every law firm needs to know in 2026 – Legal IT Insider

Potts described 2026 as a turning point. Many firms are questioning whether to optimise their current CMS, move to SaaS, or rethink workflows entirely. System sprawl – often caused by acquisitions or departmental differences – remains a major challenge, impacting security, automation, and efficiency. And with many CMS platforms designed before hybrid work became normal, firms are struggling to deliver fast, secure access from anywhere.

Rather than replacing platforms containing decades of critical data, Potts argued that optimisation is often the fastest and least disruptive route. Lima’s assessment process combines technical diagnostics with user feedback to map out an improvement plan. Firms adopting this approach have seen reductions in system incidents and gains in recovered billable hours, while easing the operational burden on IT teams.

In addition to taking a dive on how firms are achieving this, Hill and Potts also explored cultural shifts, with younger legal professionals expecting fast, intuitive tech. Slow systems now impact not just productivity but talent retention.

Looking ahead, Potts stressed that AI success depends on three foundations: reliable systems, clean data, and effective change management. Firms that solve performance issues today will be far better positioned to adopt automation and AI tomorrow.