Technology Leadership as a Service

SOLUTION: FLEXIBLE CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Sector: LEGAL & INSURANCE

Technology Leadership ‘as-a-service’ for top European Law Firm

The Client

Our client is a trusted legal adviser to leading investors and authorities across Emerging Europe and Central Asia. Since its inception in 2008, the firm has built a reputation for quality, excellence, and integrity. Operating across 11 jurisdictions with over 350 lawyers, the firm is poised for further growth through an upcoming merger with a Southeast Asian firm, expanding its reach to 23 jurisdictions and 500 lawyers. The firm collaborates with designated lawyers and boasts a wealth of professional support lawyers who specialise in niche practice areas to deliver the highest quality advice. This versatile team combines international expertise with a strong local presence and solid overseas experience.

The Challenge

Following a period of substantial growth, which shows no signs of slowing, our client sought to update its digital strategy to align with its business growth ambitions and the increasing expectations of both the job market and client engagements. To enhance operational efficiency and maintain competitiveness in today’s digital landscape, the firm wanted to ensure its IT department was guided by innovative practices and best-in-class solutions, with the core objectives of streamlining workflows, enhancing collaboration, and improving client services. This included identifying emerging technologies relevant to the legal sector and aligning IT initiatives with the firm's overarching business goals. By engaging with expert technology leadership, the firm sought to ensure its IT department was guided by innovative practices and best-in-class solutions. These efforts aimed to streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and improve client services.

Platform Smart’s Solution Overview

As part of its Technology Leadership as a Service offering, Platform Smart provided a flexible and continuous solution by appointing a virtual Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO). Acting as trusted advisers, the virtual CTO and CIO partnered with the Firm Management Committee and Chief Operating Officer to assess the existing technological landscape, business priorities, and strategic objectives through an independent and clear maturity assessment. Utilising an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, Platform Smart worked closely with the client and its wider team to formulate a comprehensive information, technology, and IT operating model strategy. The strategy transitioned the firm from a traditional IT delivery model, reliant on a legacy thin-client architecture and office-based operations, to a cloud-centric “always-on” Target Operating Model (TOM).

This transformation emphasised increased mobility, information management, ownership, and security, all embedded from the ground up. A detailed roadmap for IT operations, technology, and investment was delivered, providing a step-by-step plan for executing the strategy. Comprehensive training plans ensured smooth adoption, equipping the workforce for future success.

The Outcome

Platform Smart delivered a Technology Strategy Briefing Pack, ensuring that all client-side stakeholders understood the strategic direction, principles, and alignment with the firm’s business growth objectives. This supported the merger process, enabled workforce mobilisation, and transitioned the financial operating model (FinOp) from an overhead expense to a transparent per-user cost, showcasing clear value for investment.

With a focus on information management and security as business priorities, the Firm Management Committee can rest assured that their data is secure. This transformation has empowered the firm with a more flexible workforce, improved automation, and maximised return on investment (ROI). Additionally, the enhanced digital strategy has generated new opportunities, strengthening the firm’s position in a competitive market.