Embracing Digital: How VWV is Reshaping Legal Services
In an era where AI and digital transformation are revolutionising industries across the board, law firms face a critical juncture: adapt to the technological revolution or risk being left behind.
The legal sector, perhaps traditionally known for its conservative approach to change, is experiencing unprecedented disruption as client expectations evolve and technological capabilities expand exponentially.
Yet for forward-thinking law firms, this technological revolution represents not just a challenge but an opportunity to revolutionise service delivery and client relationships.
VWV, a full-service law firm, has positioned itself at the forefront of this transformation, making strategic investments in technology and digital capabilities to enhance its service offerings and client experience.
A strategic approach to digital transformation
At the helm of this digital transformation is Dave Bloor, VWV's Director of Digital, Data and Technology, whose appointment 12 months ago signals the firm's commitment to technological innovation.
With a rich background in technology leadership and change management across various industries, including Ford Motor Company, Clarks Shoes, and Kingfisher Group, Dave brings a fresh perspective to the legal sector's digital evolution.
"My vision behind the digital data technology function is to enable the business with intuitive, modern, agile and innovative collaboration tools and the support that's needed to excel in a market-leading law firm," he explains.
Being a full-service law firm, VWV's approach to technological innovation is firmly grounded in client needs. The firm is establishing a dedicated product team that works alongside their Business Development team to conduct targeted client listening exercises and understand where digital can enrich relationships.
"We will prototype solutions for clients at a rapid pace from the discussions we have with them that are looking at bridging how our legal team works and how the client wants to work," Dave explains.
Operating across nine target sectors—including education, charities, digital technology, healthcare, life sciences and pharmaceuticals, banking and finance, real estate and infrastructure, government and public services, and individuals and families— its clients are diverse.
VWV has therefore recognised the need for a comprehensive digital strategy that enhances service delivery across all practice areas.
A key component of VWV's digital transformation is its focus on data accessibility and utilisation. "It's about ensuring that our data is accessible but it gives us greater insights into our client's expectations and needs and using that to allow us to make smarter decisions," Dave emphasises.
The data-driven approach is complemented by deep client relationships and active listening to ensure technology solutions truly meet client needs.
This follows the firm's approach to technology integration, which is deeply rooted in its client-centric philosophy. "It's about putting the client-centric lens on things and working out in our toolkit of technology how do we best apply that to each client relationship we have rather than assuming every client wants to work in a standard way," Dave says.
Pioneering innovation through partnerships
In a significant move to accelerate its AI capabilities, VWV has formed a strategic partnership with Robin AI.
“It's really clear that Gen AI is going to be disruptive to the way that legal firms, indeed every industry, deliver their services,” Dave explains. “Looking for a partner like Robin AI was really one about a symbiotic relationship of product enhancement development and insights at the pace of which the partner could work at and at the pace of which we needed to and wanted to work at.”
Robin AI have partnered with VWV on the development of AI so that it can build their internal use of it and so they can wield it to meet specific client needs.
This collaboration extends beyond mere technology adoption, however, it encompasses education and awareness initiatives within the firm. The partnership has enabled VWV to access cutting-edge AI solutions while simultaneously building internal capabilities.
With its focus on the legal sector, Robin AI allows VWV to navigate the use of disruptive technologies whilst still adhering to the strict rules and regulations required of a legal firm.
“I think it's less about just the automation side of things with Gen AI,” Dave explains. “Where I think it's about is more actually how knowledge is constructed and shared both within the firm but also with clients in a way which is naturally still upholding the standards and regulations that are required in providing legal services.”
In addition to allowing VWV to foster a far broader understanding of the impact that AI is having in the industry and having a relationship which is about sharing insights about where value from AI is coming from., . Outside of just the product, that's where Robin AI also brings real value to the work and services that we offer and that they offer in the overall relationship.
"They have supported us in running training for our trainees around what is prompt engineering and how you would use it and raising awareness there," he explains.
Transforming client service delivery
VWV's technological transformation is fundamentally changing how the firm delivers legal services.
"We have wanted to share as much information with clients as possible so they can self-serve where they need to," Dave states. This includes implementing portal technologies that enable clients to access precedents and make informed business decisions more efficiently.
The firm is also exploring innovative ways to leverage AI in client interactions. "We're also looking at how we use Gen AI and we are looking at working with some of our clients to understand where they may feel comfortable using Gen AI solutions to interact with as a first step as opposed to lawyer time," he continues.
But alongside technology, one of a company’s most valuable resources is its people. Therefore, one of VWV's most innovative initiatives is its training innovation programme launched in the last six months.
This programme places trainees at the forefront of reimagining legal service delivery, with a particular focus on Gen AI.
"We've taken all our trainees and we've put them into teams; we've trained them in things like design thinking, project management, what's happening in legal regarding legal tech and why it's important," says Dave.
This investment in future talent represents a significant shift in how law firms approach technology adoption. With the broader objective being around innovation in the firms DNA, is integral to VWV, and that is seeing them put hundreds of people through this programme over the next five years.
A digitally-enabled full-service future
Looking ahead, VWV's technological strategy focuses on several key areas including the integration of low/no-code technologies and AI-powered knowledge sharing.
I think being able to extend the tools that we use within the firm so that our clients can use them is definitely an opportunity that is worth considering and looking at leveraging," Dave reflects.
Equally, VWV is seeking further to utilise this technology they have integrated internally to support certain parts of its client base in a new way.
“We have many clients who have in-house legal teams who can't access some of the legal tech tools that law firms can. I think there's opportunities there for us to help them understand how we can work together and alleviate some of their challenges,” Dave explains.
Beyond customising its services for its clients, the firm wants to continue its commitment to sustainable technology practices. Already, VWV has been recognised for its sustainability efforts with a Clean City Award Scheme (CCAS) Gold Award.
So now, they want to extend that commitment to incorporate ESG considerations into its procurement decisions. Highlighting the firm's holistic approach to technology investment, Dave emphasises “cheapest isn't always best; cheapest isn't always ethical. So we are bearing that in mind in terms of how we procure.”
A law firm fit for the technological age
As the legal sector continues its digital transformation journey, VWV's approach demonstrates how traditional law firms can successfully embrace technological innovation while maintaining their core values and service quality.
Under Dave’s leadership, the firm is able to adapt to technological change and actively shaping the future of legal service delivery internally and for its clients.
Its balanced approach to technological innovation coupled with a strong focus on human expertise and client relationships sets a compelling example for how law firms can thrive in an increasingly digital future. Through its comprehensive digital strategy and commitment to innovation, VWV is not just preparing for the future of legal services—it’s actively creating it.
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