The 24th Annual Law Firm COO & CFO Forum

Jen Sander, Director, Enterprise Marketing & Strategic Events, Thomson Reuters Institute

Amid the backdrop of economic volatility and uncertainty that has characterized 2025, law firms have been forced to adapt swiftly and frequently. As clients, who are also balancing business in the shifting market, face a multifaced array of challenges, they have urged firms to deliver added value. In turn, firms are balancing the uncertainty of today with a reviewed focus on the future—eyeing new investments of efficiency and technical infrastructure. Looking forward to 2026, growth seems to hinge on remaining flexible to continued change, but how far and broad might change continue to be? Join us in our yearly session exploring the evolving landscape of the legal market, and the future of legal services.

Moderator:  

Jen Dezso, Director, Client Relations, Thomson Reuters Institute

Panelists:

Mary Akhimien, Associate General Counsel, Senior Vice President – Employment & Benefits, Bank of America

Rich Davis, Chief Operating Officer, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP

Polly Snyder, Chief Operating Officer, Ogletree Deakins 

William Washington III, Chief Financial Officer, Baker McKenzie 

In a world of instant gratification and exponential growth, firms find themselves faced with the expectation to respond to changing landscapes and regulations at a rapid pace. Given the uptick in volatility this past year, both clients and firms have been forced to comply and adapt in numerous ways, many of which they may not have previously been prepared for. In terms of business strategy, how can firms position themselves with a balance of malleability and structure in order to shift and respond sharply? As the developing trade wars increase costs of vital technological hardware, how important is it that firms revisit their strategies to consider elevated costs and potential supply shortages? Organizationally, how can teams speed up their decisiveness and communication efforts without acting in a slapdash manner? Join us as we discuss business strategy within today’s changing landscape. 

Moderator:

Kate Harry Shipham, CEO & Founder, KHS People

Panelists:

David Cunningham, Chief Innovation Officer, Reed Smith LLP

Melissa Prince, Chief of Legal Operations, Ice Miller LLP 

Shade Vaughn, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP 

Please join us for three concurrent sessions exploring important issues in law firm management, where we will welcome Forum participants to share practical ideas with their industry peers.

It’s no secret that a healthy, well-established firm culture paves the road to success for both lawyers and clients. Individuals want their daily interactions borne from a sphere of productivity and positivity. As the definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion evolves, how can firms return to the root of this principle? In the past few decades, where has firm culture succeeded, and how should firms branch off that success in their forward motion? In terms of both internal talent and external client satisfaction, how can the legal industry respond while remaining faithful to their beliefs? Join us as we discuss the foundations and future of inclusion in the legal profession.

Moderator:

Raquel Tamez, Chief Inclusion & Engagement Officer, Charles River Associates 

Panelists:

Esther Lim, Partner & Chief Community Officer, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

Heather Souder Choi, Deputy General Counsel & Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Baker Botts LLP

Yusuf Zakir, Chief Talent & Inclusion Officer, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Chief Operating and Financial Officers are responsible for protecting their firm’s financial performance, managing enterprise risk, and ensuring operational continuity—all critical business that can be threatened by newly developing AI-powered cybercrimes. With the average law firm data breach costing over $5 million in regulatory fines, client losses, litigation expenses, and reputational damage, cybersecurity has become a boardroom issue with direct P&L impact. AI-generated deepfakes are enabling criminals to execute wire fraud, impersonate executives to authorize fraudulent payments, and compromise client relationships—creating liability exposures that demand leadership attention. This session seeks to provide the perspective needed to make informed decisions about risk management investments, insurance coverage, and operational safeguards against AI-motivated cybercrimes. We’ll also explore how sophisticated clients evaluate law firms’ security practices during vendor selection, making robust protections essential to winning and retaining business. The session will also explore practical approaches to fostering firm-wide security awareness that reduces costly human errors, structuring cyber insurance to close coverage gaps, and determining when external expertise is needed to address vulnerabilities. This is a strategic business conversation for COOs and CFOs that are intent on protecting profitability, preserving client trust, managing regulatory compliance obligations, and positioning their firms competitively.

Presenter:

Daniel Garrie, Founder and Managing Partner, Law & Forensics

As the legal industry faces increasing consolidation and competitive pressure, the role of the Chief Financial Officer is rapidly evolving from traditional financial stewardship to strategic partnership. A modern law firm CFO is expected to network extensively and enable growth potential by leveraging data, insights, and financial foresight to guide firm leadership through mergers, acquisitions, and long-term strategic planning. This discussion explores how forward-thinking firms are redefining the CFO role to drive profitability, operational efficiency, and sustainable expansion potential, leaving behind the “green eyeshade” model in favor of value-focused leadership.

Moderator: 

Charlotte Croker, Principal, Caldwell Partners

Panelists:

Merrick Benn, Chair and CEO, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP 

Michael McKenney, Managing Director, Citi Global Wealth at Work 

Greg Saulinskas, Chief Financial Officer, Troutman Pepper Locke LLP 

Please join us for cocktails and canapés as we wrap up the day’s proceedings.

Jen Sander, Director, Enterprise Marketing & Strategic Events, Thomson Reuters Institute

In order to hone in on their own business strategies, firms need to intricately understand the ever-changing hues of the market that surrounds them. Operations executives must pose broad-market questions such as: “What did clients want last year? What will they want next year?” before they ask themselves “Where have we delivered to clients and how should we improve?” It’s often difficult to translate a complete comprehension of market data to internal practices. In other words, it’s important to know that clients are dissatisfied with innovation or consistency, but it’s valuable to understand how that relates directly to the strategies in play. Join us as we discuss the importance of breaking through market data and distilling metrics into amelioration.

Moderator:

Becky Halat, Senior Manager, Client Services, Thomson Reuters Institute

Panelists:

Morshed Alam, Chief Financial Officer, Fredrikson & Byron P.A. 

Allen Capdeboscq, Jr., Chief Operating Officer, Thompson Coburn LLP

Angela Quinn, Chief Operating Officer, Husch Blackwell LLP

Both domestic and international economists are carefully tracking how current U.S. policy decisions are moving markets, creating tension between opportunity and caution as planned interventions meet natural economic forces. Pressing questions about our economic future demand attention: How will the evolving interdependencies between global economies reshape cross-border commercial relationships? Which economic indicators are signaling challenges for various sectors, including the legal market? In this climate of persistent uncertainty, what strategic adaptations should firms and businesses alike consider to maintain resilience while positioning for future growth? Join us for this year’s keynote presentation which will provide a thorough examination of current economic challenges and opportunities as well as prevailing market conditions and their far-reaching implications for the global economy.  

Moderator:

Jeff Mason, White House Correspondent, Reuters 

Presenter:

Dr. Christina Romer, Class of 1957-Garff B. Wilson Professor Emerita of Economics; Professor of the Graduate School; Chancellor’s Professor Emerita, University of California, Berkeley 

In these three concurrent breakouts, our faculty will explore critical issues within the legal industry. Forum participants will have the opportunity to share their thoughts with leading firms and industry peers.

Technology, in its most basic form, seeks to improve accuracy and efficiency. As technological implementation further embeds into the typical business model, firms will find themselves able to complete deliverables for clients at an expedited pace. All that glitters is billable; however, saved time, within the billable hour fee arrangement, equates to lost revenue. How can firms explore other value-based pricing options in an age where almost everything passes through technology? Additionally, how can firms demonstrate to clients that their use of technology advances both the quality and timeliness of deliverables, while also offering more predictable pricing upfront? Join us as we dive into alternative fee arrangements with experts who have already begun to implement such models in their firms.

Moderator:

Lisa Jessup, Chief Financial Officer, Foley & Lardner LLP

Panelists: 

Dwight Floyd, Chief Operating Officer, Eversheds Sutherland US LLP 

Kerry McLaughlin, Chief Financial Officer, BrownGreer PLC 

Jim Metzger, Global Chief Financial Officer, Reed Smith LLP 

The most effective law firm leaders understand that talent retention, firm culture, and long-term success are all linked. As expectations shift, leaders must develop inclusive strategies that engage employees across generations, foster well-being, and build high-functioning teams. Yet, in a fast-paced environment, leadership development and wellness often take a back seat. This discussion will focus on practical strategies for balancing leadership effectiveness with resilience—how relationship-building and wellness practices can strengthen firm culture and thus improve collaborative efficiency. As a result, strong internal leadership translates to better client engagement and firm reputation, ensuring sustained success in a competitive market. Join us as we tackle leadership and wellness as a strategic pathway to sustainable growth. 

Moderator: 

Mark Masson, Managing Partner, Head of Professional Firm Advisory, Lotis Blue 

Panelists:

Amy Kotulski, Chief Operating Officer, Winston & Strawn LLP

Christy Walsh, Chief Operating Officer, Drew Eckl & Farnham LLP 

William Washington III, Chief Financial Officer, Baker McKenzie

In today’s complex climate, law firms face evolving reputational and operational risks that can have serious implications for both external and internal stakeholders. Throughout the industry’s history, there have been notable instances where law firms have experienced reputational damage and operational disruptions, often stemming from high-profile cases, client controversies, or internal missteps that attract wider attention. One might wonder how the reputational challenges facing individual firms will impact the broader legal profession. How should law firm leadership develop comprehensive risk management strategies to protect both their reputation and operational continuity in an environment where perception can shift rapidly and have far-reaching consequences?

Moderator:

Shanin Lott, Global Law Firm Practice Leader, Russell Reynolds Associates

Panelists:

Julie Henson, Chief Growth Officer, Decipher

Jay Plum, Chief Communications Officer, Bracewell LLP 

Ann Westover, Chief Operating Officer, Axinn, Veltrop, & Harkrider LLP 

Please join us for three concurrent sessions exploring important issues in law firm management, where we will welcome Forum participants to share practical ideas with their industry peers.  

In what might be an intriguing coincidence, Thomson Reuters data depicts a parallel between the rise in 2024 law firm spend and a perceived rise in innovation by clients. A similar finding noted that, on average, clients will spend about 35% on more innovative firms given that efficiency is a top priority. What does it mean to be an innovator as a mid-size firm? Propelled by cutting-edge technological advancements, firms of all sizes have an incredible opportunity to outpace competitors by transforming their service delivery and client interactions through technology-driven value creation. However, to harness the full potential of these technologies, mid-sized firms need to properly assess and augment their greatest strengths in comparison to the market overall. Join us in a session on strategy for mid-sized firms with the ultimate goal of increased client satisfaction in mind. 

Moderator: 

Anna Thea Bridge, Chief Operating Officer, Outten & Golden LLP 

Panelists: 

Christopher Fulton, Chief Operating Officer, Pryor Cashman LLP 

Charles Marshall, Chief Operating Officer, Burr & Forman LLP 

Joe Woods, Chief Financial Officer, Holland & Hart LLP 

Investing in new technology, year after year, is often a top priority for forward-looking firms. However, with a seemingly infinite number of technological services and software available, how can firms be sure that they are utilizing the most effective platforms for their business strategy? As cloud computing continues to revolutionize operations with scalability and efficiency, firms must determine which solutions align best with their goals. Moreover, how can firms be sure that they are reaping the benefits of their assets, and how can leaders know when it is time to retire dated tech services? Where the benefits of technology are often intangible and difficult to measure, how can firms both gather and quantify the returns? Join us as we discuss ROI for emerging tech investments in an ever-changing digital landscape.   

Moderator:

Alexis Pomierski, Executive Director, John Alexander Consulting LLC

Panelists:

Joan Holman, Chief Information Officer, Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Isidore Okoro, Chief Information Officer, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC 

Enduring client relationships are built on the consistency of clear ownership, disciplined coordination, and visible follow‑through. Proper firm operational mechanics solidify client relationships and firm reputation. Teams must communicate with business clarity, not legal opacity. We’ll explore how C‑level leaders drive governance, cadence, and craft across complex operational matters: defining accountable roles across teams, installing rhythmic checkpoints that prevent drift, and standardizing the craft of client communication. This panel will focus on strengthened relationships between operations teams and the remainder of the firm, anchoring client communications to KPIs and closing loops with trackable post‑engagement commitments. Join us to solidify durable, human systems that shape behaviors, rituals, and quality signals that clients will recognize as real value.

Moderator: 

Chris Ryan, Chief Growth Officer, Law Firms, Harbor Global 

Panelists: 

Andrew Notaro, Chief Operating Officer, Seward & Kissel LLP 

Ann Rainhart, Chief Operating Officer, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. 

Elizabeth Satterfield, Chief Operating Officer, Moore & Van Allen LLP 

Please join us for two simultaneous roundtables intended to foster robust conversation among attendees. 

Generative AI has easily made a name for itself as a powerful, all-encompassing tool that promises to improve businesses across the board; but many don’t yet have a good grasp on use case opportunities.  In looking for even greater efficiency, where should firm leadership begin? How can leadership encourage the use of AI to accomplish tasks like tracking and sorting time entry, organizing email, or catching up on a knowledge management front? Instead of leveraging AI for complex tasks, how can firms employ AI for operational tasks and project management? Join us as we ideate strategies to utilize AI as a tool for logistic firm management. 

Moderator: 

Rob Mattern, President, Mattern & Associates 

Panelists:

Ryan Alshak, CEO, Laurel 

Maureen Naughton, Chief Innovation & Information Officer, Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Don Sternfeld, Chief Innovation Officer, Steptoe LLP

Executive and managerial talent are a large differentiator when it comes to firm reputation and culture. As such, the C-suite has seen a large expansion in recent years, including newer roles like Chief AI Officer or Chief Strategy Officer amongst many others. How can firms drive value in their pivot to a more corporate C-suite structure, inclusive of many specific roles? Additionally, when laterally hiring both executive and managerial roles, many firms lack concrete methods for assessment of candidates, typically prioritizing prestige, pedigree, and personal connections. Given the expansive nature of the C-suite and the executive team, how can firms refine their hiring strategy using quantitative techniques, ensuring organization and efficacy at the same time? Join us as we dive into growth within the C-suite. 

Moderator: 

Jennifer Johnson, CEO, Founder, Calibrate  

Panelists: 

Jason Bovis, Chief Strategy Officer, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Jonathan Glazer, Global Chief Operating Officer, Dentons LLP 

Tanvir Rahman, Chief Operating Officer, McDermott Will & Schulte LLP

Please join us for cocktails and canapés as we wrap up the program.