Lawyers Weekly: Increased professional sanctions, ROI focus, and other predictions for 2026

Publication: Lawyers Weekly

Date published: 2025-12-30

Author: Madeleine Porter, Legal Industry Expert in Asia Pacific, iManage

Type: Thought leadership / Predictions

In this article, Madeleine Porter of iManage outlines the critical shifts facing the legal sector in 2026, focusing on the evolution of law as a business and a regulated profession. She predicts that the "honeymoon phase" of AI experimentation will end, replaced by a rigorous focus on Return on Investment (ROI) as business leaders demand tangible value from their technology spend.

The piece further explores:

• ROI as a priority: A shift from general AI adoption to measurable efficiency and financial gains.

• Increased Sanctions: Predictions that regulators will tighten their grip, leading to more professional sanctions for misuse or lack of oversight in legal tech.

• Operational Shifts: Changes in how BigLaw firms structure their business models to accommodate rapid technological integration.

• Regulatory Response: How governing bodies are adapting to the risks posed by the changing landscape of legal practice.

Read the full article on Lawyers Weekly