Episode 32: Collaboration, Data, and AI: 2025 Trends and 2026 Predictions

In this episode of Legal Leaders Exchange, host Jennifer McIver sits down with Carlos Gámez of Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory and Sinéad Kenny from Brightflag, to unpack the major themes that shaped the legal industry in 2025.

The conversation begins with a lighthearted look at personal passions, such as BBQ rib rubs and the "Motley Accruals" band, before diving into critical industry shifts. They discuss the growing appetite for peer collaboration, the move toward data transparency between clients and law firms, and the practical realities of AI adoption.

Looking ahead, they discuss predictions for 2026, debating the potential of agentic AI, the necessity of "cleaning house" regarding data infrastructure, and whether the billable hour is actually going anywhere.