Inside View: Stewart Crane on Withers’ Technology Priorities and AI in Practice

Key Takeaways

• Withers adopted Microsoft Copilot across firm to build AI skills
• Strategy shifts from broad experiments to targeted GenAI tools
• New tech roadmap emphasizes client experience and productivity gains
• IT director monitors AI ROI and closes capability gaps continuously
• Lawyer engagement exceeds expectations, driving faster innovation adoption

Pulse Analysis

Law firms are under mounting pressure to modernise, and artificial intelligence has become a decisive lever for operational efficiency and client service. While many firms experiment with isolated tools, Withers distinguishes itself by treating AI as a core infrastructure component. By embracing Microsoft Copilot early, the firm not only gained a breadth of exposure across departments but also cultivated a culture where technologists and lawyers collaborate on real‑world use cases. This early‑stage adoption mirrors a broader industry shift where legal services are no longer a laggard in digital transformation.

Withers’ AI playbook follows a two‑phase approach. The first phase cast a wide net, deploying Copilot to a broad user base to accelerate skill acquisition and surface quick wins. In the second phase, the firm narrows focus, introducing generative‑AI solutions tailored to fee‑earners’ workflows—such as contract drafting assistants and research summarisers. Crucially, Crane stresses continuous measurement: each tool is evaluated against cost, productivity uplift, and client‑impact metrics. This data‑driven methodology ensures that technology investments are justified and that capability gaps are systematically addressed.

The ripple effects extend beyond Withers. Lawyer enthusiasm for AI, as reported by Crane, signals a cultural shift that could reshape service delivery across the sector. Firms that replicate this breadth‑first, then depth‑focused strategy stand to improve client experience, reduce billable‑hour friction, and attract tech‑savvy talent. As AI tools become more sophisticated, the firms that embed rigorous ROI tracking and iterative improvement into their tech governance will likely set the benchmark for the next generation of legal service providers.