This event brings thought leaders together to share cutting edge ideas on the future, from both a people and technology perspective.
It will allow an understanding of the key drivers of change and enablers of innovation that will shape how, where and when work takes place. Our conference programme will explore future technologies, cutting edge award-winning workplaces and people, change and engagement within the legal sector.
The legal sector is being reshaped by AI, changing patterns of work, evolving client expectations and an increasingly competitive talent market. Success will depend not only on technology, but on creating workplaces that enable collaboration, learning, innovation and organisational resilience. This opening session explores the trends defining the next generation of legal workplaces and provides a strategic framework for the discussions that follow.
The legal workplace is entering a new era. AI, changing workforce expectations, evolving client demands and new approaches to real estate are reshaping how law firms think about people, place and performance. Drawing on the latest research from WORKTECH Academy, this opening session explores the global trends redefining workplace strategy and what they mean for the legal sector. From the future of office attendance and workplace experience to AI-enabled ways of working, collaboration, wellbeing and organisational resilience, it provides a strategic framework for the day ahead and sets the agenda for how law firms can build workplaces that are ready for the next decade.
Every industry is being reshaped by AI, demographic change, new workforce expectations and accelerating technological disruption. While the pace of change can feel unprecedented, the organisations that thrive will be those that adapt their leadership, culture and workplaces to become more resilient, innovative and future-ready.
In this thought-provoking opening address, William draws on his work advising organisations on future business strategy to explore the global trends transforming organisations of every kind and asks what leaders must do today to remain competitive tomorrow. From the changing role of the workplace to the impact of AI on collaboration, decision-making and organisational culture, William sets the strategic context for the discussions that follow.
Following the opening provocation, senior leaders from some of the UK's leading law firms explore how long-term trends are already influencing workplace strategy today. As firms invest in new headquarters, rethink real estate portfolios and embrace AI, they discuss how workplace is becoming a strategic lever for talent, culture, client service and organisational performance.
Drawing on real projects and practical experience, the panel examines how firms are making decisions in the face of uncertainty—and what every legal leader should be planning for over the next decade.
Law firms are moving beyond footprint reduction toward smarter, more purposeful environments. From space standardisation to tech-enabled optimisation, this theme examines how firms are modernising their portfolios to deliver efficiency, flexibility, and high-performance workplace experiences.
Moving a global law firm into a significantly smaller footprint is about far more than reducing square footage. It demands a complete rethink of how people work, how technology supports the employee experience, and how space enables collaboration without compromising confidentiality.
This session, examines the strategy behind a global Headquarters relocation to 2 Broadgate, exploring how the firm reduced its office footprint while creating a workplace designed around choice, flexibility and performance. From supporting hybrid working and confidential legal practice to integrating workplace technology that disappears into the background, discover how the project balanced people, place and technology to create a better experience for employees.
AI is moving rapidly from experimentation to an operational capability that will reshape how legal organisations work, make decisions and serve clients. This provocation-style talk cuts through the hype to explore why leaders need to engage now; practical examples of where AI is already creating value; the risks around accuracy, governance, privacy and accountability; and what the next few years may bring. Attendees will leave with a pragmatic framework for adopting AI responsibly while keeping people, professional judgement and measurable outcomes at the centre.
James Garner explored how AI and data are changing the way organisations plan, design and operate workplaces. But what does this mean in practice for law firms? In this panel debate, senior workplace leaders from leading legal firms respond to James' provocation, sharing how AI is already influencing workplace strategy, real estate decisions, technology investment and employee experience. They explore how firms are preparing for new ways of working, what an AI-ready workplace really looks like, and the decisions leaders need to make today to remain competitive tomorrow.
With talent attraction and experience now outweighing cost, the workplace is emerging as a strategic asset rather than a cost centre. Sessions explore how legal organisations are aligning real estate, workplace design, and employee experience to drive performance, retention, and long-term growth.
As AI becomes embedded in legal workflows, its impact extends beyond tools to reshape how work is done, how space is used, and how teams collaborate. This theme explores the rise of AI-enabled workplaces, from digital infrastructure to spatial design, and the implications for productivity, roles, and organisational culture.
The workplace has become a strategic driver of organisational performance, but what makes a legal workplace truly successful? This theme explores the principles behind high-performing workplaces, from designing environments that enable collaboration and culture to developing meaningful measures of business value. Together, the sessions examine how law firms can create workplaces that support talent, productivity, innovation and long-term organisational success.
For years, office attendance has been the headline metric for workplace success. But leading law firms are beginning to ask a different question: how does the workplace contribute to talent attraction, collaboration, productivity and business performance? Drawing on new global research from Savills and CoreNet, this session explores how organisations are moving beyond utilisation data to develop more meaningful measures of workplace value. It also examines how location strategy, quality of place and access to talent are becoming critical considerations as firms make long-term decisions about their real estate portfolios.
Our market-leading WORKTECH conferences are “unmissable” events for senior corporate workplace professionals.
WORKTECH provides a vehicle to build your business relationships with these decision makers, develop senior contacts and enhance your credibility with key prospects by alignment with the event.
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