Technology Operations

How law firms should manage technology suppliers

Law firm technology suppliers underpin the practice — from practice management to trust accounting. Here's how firms should manage those relationships operationally.

Law firm technology suppliers are not just IT vendors — they underpin the practice. Managing them operationally matters more than most firms realise.

Start with the register

Every technology supplier belongs on the law firm supplier register: provider, service, internal owner, contract, renewal.

Assign named internal owners

"IT" is not an owner. A person is. Every supplier should have one named person accountable inside the firm — usually the practice manager or a partner.

Track criticality

Practice management, document management, accounting, trust accounting, cybersecurity and cloud are almost always critical. Treat them differently to marketing tools or utilities.

Review on a cadence

Critical suppliers: every six months. Important: annually. Standard: an annual sweep. Use the Technology Supplier Review Checklist.

Keep the history

Record decisions with reasoning — why you renewed, why you switched, what changed. Future partners and practice managers will thank you.