As legal technology tools multiply, law firms and in-house legal teams often rush to acquire the latest software, risking technological debt—an issue highlighted in the Thomson Reuters Institute’s 2025 Report on the State of the US Legal Market, as stated by law.com
Are Firms and In-House Teams Courting Technological …Law.com
Technological debt occurs when organizations prioritize immediate solutions over long-term strategy, leading to inefficiencies, higher costs, and underutilized tools down the road. The report, based on a survey of 183 U.S.-based law firms, revealed that tech spending has consistently outpaced inflation for the past decade. However, this spending often lacks the strategic foresight needed to optimize value.
The Root Causes of Technology Debt
According to Brett Burney of Burney Consultants, tech debt frequently stems from decisions made to mirror competitors or meet the demands of individual stakeholders, rather than aligning with a firm-wide strategy. “I’ve seen firms adopt software just because another firm uses it, only to find that a few employees actually engage with the tool, leaving the rest unused and the cost unjustified,” Burney notes.
Brad Blickstein, founder of the Blickstein Group, highlights another challenge: adoption and effective use. “The biggest debt isn’t just about purchases—it’s about getting the full value out of tools,” he says.
Moreover, legal organizations face unique hurdles such as competing internal power dynamics and siloed decision-making. These issues lead to investments in technologies that serve only specific practice groups or clients, rather than scalable solutions that benefit the entire firm.
Outsourcing: A Strategic Alternative
To sidestep these pitfalls, law firms and in-house legal teams should consider outsourcing litigation services to specialized providers. Outsourcing offers several advantages over building and maintaining an in-house tech stack:
- Cost Efficiency
Instead of investing heavily in multiple software licenses and support systems, outsourcing allows firms to leverage the tools and expertise of a dedicated provider. This eliminates redundant spending on underused technologies and minimizes overhead costs. - Enhanced Effectiveness
Outsourcing partners bring proven systems and best practices to the table. They ensure that technologies are fully optimized and align with the firm’s needs, enhancing overall effectiveness without burdening internal resources. - Customizable Solutions
Litigation service providers tailor their tools and workflows to meet the unique demands of each client. From case management to document review, firms benefit from solutions built to scale that adapt as their needs evolve. - Reduced Implementation Risk
Outsourcing partners have the infrastructure and expertise to deploy technologies efficiently. This mitigates the risk of implementation delays or bottlenecks that can arise when relying on internal teams or external vendors struggling to meet demand.
In an era where efficiency and innovation define success, why carry the weight of technology debt when outsourcing can deliver customized, cost-effective scalable solutions tailored to your needs?
Verus can deliver customized, cost-effective, and scalable solutions tailored to your firm’s needs?
