The phrase “GCs Often Doom In-House Tech Upgrades by Skipping the Spadework” refers to the challenges general counsels (GCs) face when implementing technology upgrades in corporate legal departments, as highlighted in an article from Law.com dated August 12, 2025. Maesea McCalpin, a senior principal for research in Gartner’s assurance practice, notes that GCs and legal leaders frequently lack a clear understanding of what’s required for effective technology implementation. This “spadework”—the foundational preparation such as assessing needs, aligning stakeholders, and planning integration—is often overlooked, leading to failed or suboptimal tech upgrades.
Key reasons for these failures include:
- Inadequate Preparation: GCs may rush into adopting new tech without thoroughly evaluating departmental needs or existing workflows, resulting in tools that don’t align with operational goals.
- Lack of Expertise: Many GCs are not well-versed in the technical or operational aspects of legal tech, which hinders effective implementation.
- Resistance to Change: Legal teams may face internal resistance or lack the training needed to adopt new systems, further complicating transitions.
- Underestimating Complexity: The complexity of integrating new technology with existing systems, like Microsoft 365 or other corporate platforms, is often underestimated, leading to inefficiencies.
To address these issues, GCs can:
- Conduct Thorough Needs Assessments: Engage with team members and outside consultants to identify specific pain points and requirements before selecting technology.
- Leverage External Expertise: Partner with tech-savvy law firms or alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) that offer matter management and tech deployment support.
- Prioritize Training and Change Management: Invest in training to ensure staff can effectively use new tools and foster a culture of adaptability.
- Build Persistent Teams: For tech stacks requiring ongoing expertise, consider maintaining dedicated in-house teams or global in-house centers (GICs) to ensure continuity and reduce reliance on third-party providers.
- Communicate Value: GCs should align tech upgrades with business goals and communicate benefits to leadership to secure buy-in and demonstrate ROI.
By doing the necessary spadework—strategic planning, stakeholder alignment, and robust training—GCs can avoid common pitfalls and ensure successful tech upgrades that enhance efficiency and support legal operations.
If you’d like me to dive deeper into specific strategies or provide examples of successful tech implementations, let me know!