Growth in U.K. for 2026 is Questionable
Adverse effect of war, geopolitical stress on economy
However “Companies are surprisingly sanguine”
U.K./ Europe Economy
While “UK GDP surprises to the upside”, the Bank of England says the “severity of the hit to the British economy will depend how long the war lasts.”***
State of the Market, Client Relationships, Rates and AI
We live in a period of persistent economic volatility affecting clients and firms. Uncertainty affects clients and firm priorities and appetite for change. On the other hand, firms are using AI to understand drivers of profitability, which tools to use, and how to use AI to maximize profitability.
As firms raise rates, how are working relationships with clients affected? AI is central to profitability discussions with clients. Firms are struggling to understand where AI efficiencies are most effective.
As well as best to collaborate with clients. What clients want from their law firms is lower prices. AI is used by partners and associates for client work so clients want savings to be reflected in bills. The conference will address these timely issues.
FACULTY
Stellar Panel of Experts…
Mark Blakemore
Chief Operating Officer, Freeths,
Manchester
Julian Homerstone
Formerly Group General Counsel & Company Secretary, Virgin Atlantic Airways,
London
John Horsfield-Bradbury
Partner, Co-Head of the Firm’s London Office,
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP,
London
Roger Bull
Managing Partner, Burges Salmon,
Bristol, UK
Andrew Cheung
Partner, General Counsel & Chief Governance Officer, Eversheds Sutherland,
London
Jack Diggle
Global Legal Management Consulting Leader,
Deloitte LLP,
London
Kevin Doolan
Partner, Strategy Four, London;
Visiting Professor, Executive Education, Harvard Law School, Boston;
Visiting Professor, IE Law School, Madrid, Spain
Jon Doyle
Chief Operating Officer People, Governance & Communications and Legal,
HSBC Bank plc, London
Inigo Esteve
London Office Executive Partner,
White & Case LLP, London
Lizzie Goodburn
Regional Chief Operating Officer for One Europe,
Clifford Chance, London
Kirsten Hewson
Chair, Shoosmiths LLP, London
Peter Ireson
Manager, Economist, Deloitte, London
Shane Kelly
Principal Director, tp bennett,
London
Andrew Masraf
Global Senior Partner,
Pinsent Masons LLP, London
Caroline Miller Smith
Partner, White & Case LLP, London
Matthew Layton
Senior Adviser – Consultant,
FTI Consulting, London
Catalina Perdomo-Ortega
AI Innovation Manager,
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP,
London
Jason Piro
Director Of Strategy & Operations, London,
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP,
London
Kyle Poe
Vice President of Legal Innovation & Strategy,
Legora, Houston, TX
Nick Pryor
Director of Knowledge & Innovation,
Freeths, London
Tom Roberts
Partner, Markets Innovation Group,
A&O Shearman, London
Chris Tart-Roberts
Partner, Tech Solutions Team Lead,
Addleshaw Goddard, London
Thomas M. Thesing
Managing Partner, London,
Sidley Austin LLP, London
Jack Tomlin
Head, Legal Sector Practice Group;
Senior Director, Advisory & Transaction Services,
CBRE, London
Colin Wilson
Partner, International Group Head – Finance
International and Global Board Member,
DLA Piper, London
PROGRAMME: 09.00 – 13.30
Panel 1: Global Disruption and the State of the Market
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Law firm strategy
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How do lateral acquisitions change profitability strategy?
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Strategic planning and AI
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Preparing data to use in productivity and profitability analysis
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AI data implementation
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Business risk
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Firm rules and policies including new positions
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Training staff to deploy AI
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Continuing real estate spend
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Examples of new arrangements
Panel 2: AI and Profitability
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Structuring data to use in large language models
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Using AI in record keeping and tracking profitability and pricing
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Budgeting
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Rolling out applications
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Predictive analysis and the budget process
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Firm attorney and matter budgets
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New ways for firms to take advantage of AI.
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Using AI to improve forecasting and increase efficiency.
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Training partners, associates and business C-levels and staff
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Use Cases
Panel 3: Pricing, Fees & Rates
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Law firm billing rates and discounting
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Keeping within budgeted prices
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Alternative fee arrangements. Will AI lead to more AFAs? Are we at a tipping point with more and more AFAs? Over 50%?
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Handling pricing disputes. Preventing pricing disputes
Panel 4: What Clients Want—And Expect: How to Collaborate Effectively with Them Using AI
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Client expectations
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Interacting with firm legal and business teams; dealing with lawyer leaders
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Record high billing rates
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Who on the firm business side are “in the room” with representatives of clients
*The Wall Street Journal 14 May 2026
**The Guardian, 10 May 2026
***Reuters, 14 May 2026
****Law.com, 20 March 2026
