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Key opportunities for BigLaw in the current market
Experts from some of Australia’s largest law firms are set to examine how legal professionals can navigate key challenges and opportunities at the inaugural Australian Law Forum.
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AI could save lawyers four hours per week while generating $100,000 in new billable time per lawyer annually, according to a report by Thomson Reuters.
With the legal profession undergoing a profound transformation – the first-ever Australian Law Forum has launched to prepare legal practitioners for technological advancements, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting client demands reshaping the legal field.
The inaugural Australian Law Forum will take place on Thursday, 14 August 2025, at The Star in Sydney. Click here to buy tickets.
The event features three streams dedicated to BigLaw, boutique and bar firms, and general counsel.
Ahead of the highly anticipated event, Lawyers Weekly breaks down what professionals can expect from the BigLaw stream.
BigLaw’s scale brings both immense opportunity and heightened risk. As firms adapt their operations and teams to manage uncertainty, AI is emerging as a key driver of change that is reshaping the industry.
Australia is one of the largest adopters of AI across the globe, according to 9news, and BigLaw is no exception.
A report from Thomson Reuters found that 77 per cent of legal professionals believe AI will transform legal work in the next five years. Of those surveyed, 72 per cent viewed AI as a force for good in their profession, with approximately half of law firm respondents currently exploring and implementing AI as a high priority.
However, to unlock the full potential of emerging technologies, legal professionals must navigate geopolitical tensions and engage resilience teams and business models.
At the Australian Law Forum, dedicated BigLaw leaders will examine how to capitalise on opportunities arising from technological advancement while effectively mitigating risk.
The BigLaw panels
Pressure from every angle: Navigating risk, regulation, and strategy in an uncertain world
Geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, and escalating global conflicts have created business uncertainty, and for Australian firms, this volatility flows directly into client demands.
In this session, expert panellists will examine the current state of global instability and assess its impact on evolving client expectations. The panel will also explore the regulatory challenges facing corporate Australia while outlining strategic priorities for the year ahead.
Speakers include:
- Rebecca Kelly, Australia managing partner at Clyde & Co;
- Drew Pearson, managing partner Sydney at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer;
- Aaron Goonrey, partner at Pinsent Masons; and
- Con Boulougouris, partner at MinterEllison.
Technology, AI, and automation: Moving beyond hype and towards impact
The transformative potential of AI has taken the legal profession by storm, but to unlock its full potential, firms must move from experimentation to execution.
Attendees will learn how to effectively implement emerging technologies to drive real operational change, identify common pitfalls, and how to get started. The panellists will also touch on the key risks of AI adoption and suggest practical strategies to safeguard their business.
Speakers include:
- Naomi Griffin, partner and co-chair of innovation and best delivery committee APAC at Clifford Chance; and
- Michael Ziegelaar, partner and co-head of equity capital markets at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.
Business models, teams, and clients: Rewriting the rules of engagement
This practical session will see speakers assess how business models are evolving in response to new client demands, market pressures, and the realities of a changing workforce.
Through this lens, the panellists will demonstrate how attendees can build resilient teams capable of navigating the rapidly shifting legal environment.
Speakers include:
- Anna Sparkes, chief people officer at Gilbert + Tobin;
- Steven Pettigrove, partner at financial services and fintech, Piper Alderman; and
- Kirsten Rillo, CEO at Mitimes.
The BigLaw stream will wrap up with a lunch and networking session where attendees and speakers will have the opportunity to connect and discuss the content of the day.
To hear legal leaders discuss the current BigLaw landscape, come along to the Australian Law Forum 2025.
The Australian Law Forum will be held on Thursday, 14 August 2025, at The Star in Sydney. Click here to secure your tickets.
To learn more about the forum, including the agenda and speakers, click here.