Innovation is no longer an option—it’s a necessity for professional services firms seeking to remain competitive and deliver exceptional value to clients and the business overall. But how can firms successfully implement innovation projects and overcome the challenges that often arise? To explore this topic, we had the privilege of speaking with the leaders of Weightmans’ award-winning innovation team, Stuart Whittle and Catriona Wolfenden, about their new book, Innovation in Law Firms: Implementing Successful Projects.
This practical guide, crafted from real life lessons and experiences, provides actionable insights into the innovation process. It equips leaders and teams with strategies to foster innovation, from pilot ideas to full-scale adoption. Below, we break down key takeaways from their expertise.
In sitting down and talking through the process of writing the book, their individual career journeys and the keys to success with innovation in Weightmans, we are sharing 3 of the main takeaways from our discussion with Stuart and Catriona.
Innovation, they believe, starts with people. The secret isn’t assembling a group of individuals who think alike—it’s creating a team that complements each other’s strengths.
“We prioritize diversity of thought,” shared Catriona. “When hiring, we look for people who challenge us and bring new perspectives.” Building a team with varying skill sets ensures creative problem-solving while encouraging collaboration between individuals with distinct viewpoints and different skill sets from lawyers, to legal engineers, to business analysts, to project managers, to developers and so on.
None of the success the team has had, none of the tools built for clients would be possible with our having assembled a talented team of individuals working together on shared goals and for the good of the clients and business.
One common hurdle in professional services is the relentless pursuit of perfection—a mindset that can hinder innovation. According to Stuart, “Our focus shifted from asking, ‘Is this perfect?’ to ‘Does this make things better?’” This perspective allows teams to launch solutions sooner, collect feedback, and iterate quickly.
Catriona emphasized the importance of experimentation without requiring substantial resources. “Having tools to try things quickly enables us to pivot without significant consequences if we fail. And failure itself isn’t the enemy—what matters is failing fast, learning fast, and moving forward with clarity.”
This is the one takeaway that includes the technology aspect of innovation projects but is still predicated on the mindset of the team and the oversight. In full disclosure, Weightmans is a Neota Logic client and the Neota Platform is part of the team’s arsenal in innovation.
The team’s philosophy centers around agility and adaptability—qualities essential in managing evolving client needs and uncertain market dynamics.
Stuart’s innovation work at Weightmans began not with a large budget or extensive resources but with determination and strategic planning. He proposed dedicating a year to driving client transformation and exploring innovation opportunities—a decision made possible by his position on the firm’s board. From these modest beginnings, Stuart and Catriona have grown a thriving innovation team that’s earned recognition across the industry.
Their advice for leaders looking to initiate innovation projects? Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start with what’s available, gain buy-in from key internal stakeholders, and demonstrate early wins to build credibility.
While Innovation in Law Firms provides examples tailored to the legal industry, its frameworks can be adopted across professional service firms, including accountancies, consulting firms, and advertising agencies. Here’s how specific sectors can leverage these principles:
Professional service firms can develop tools and workflows that directly improve client experiences, such as self-service platforms or data visualization solutions.
Automating repetitive administrative tasks frees up employees’ time for higher-value work, enhancing productivity and reducing costs.
Organizations should experiment with solutions on a small scale (“sandbox projects”) before scaling efforts firm-wide.
Managing innovation is as much about fostering a culture of creativity and openness as it is about deploying the right tools. Leaders must recognize that innovation is an iterative process—it requires patience, adaptability, and the courage to embrace mistakes as stepping stones to success.
Catriona and Stuart emphasize that technology, while crucial, is secondary to the mindset of people driving change. Firms that prioritize collaboration, diversity, and continuous learning are better equipped to succeed.
Innovation is not just a buzzword—it’s a foundational pillar for long-term success. Professional services firms face mounting pressure to innovate to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape. Weightmans’ innovation team provides a compelling playbook for navigating this process, blending actionable advice with a refreshing dose of realism.
For business leaders, innovators, and firms seeking to stay ahead, exploring Innovation in Law Firms offers rich guidance applicable across industries. Whether you’re grappling with where to begin or looking to refine ongoing projects, Stuart and Catriona’s insights empower readers to approach challenges with confidence.
Innovation isn’t just something you do; it’s something you build. Start driving meaningful change within your firm today.
Innovation in Law Firms published by Globe Law and Media is a hands-on resource designed to bridge the gap between conceptualizing innovation and actually executing it. Focused on the legal industry but applicable to broader professional services, the book offers a roadmap for navigating the innovation lifecycle. From examining opportunities to exploring possibilities, developing solutions, and reflecting on outcomes, it enables readers to achieve real, actionable results.
Key themes include:
Stuart and Catriona don’t shy away from discussing both the rewards and pitfalls of undertaking innovation projects. Their approach combines practical methodology with candid storytelling, making it a valuable tool for firms at any stage of their innovation journey.
