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Agenda

2025 BigHand Conference

9:00 am - 9:20 am

Registration Opens

9:30 - 11:00 am

BigHand Update and Keynote Speaker

Ellis Watson

11:00 - 11:35 am

Break

11:40 am - 12:30 pm

Breakout Sessions


Workflow Management Track

Expert Panel
The Business Case for Change – Why Law Firms Must Rethink Legal Support Services Now

Data shows that law firm leaders understand the need for a long-term support staff strategy - but few are acting with urgency. As traditional roles disappear and retirements loom, short-term cost-cutting continues to undermine long-term value. Our expert panel will explore why this issue lacks strategic airtime and what those who recognise the risks and opportunities can do to drive change.

External Speaker:
Anneli Douglas, Director of Legal Operations, Carpmaels & Ransford
Anneli Douglas Director of Legal Operations, Carpmaels & Ransford
Kirsty Pappin, Founder & Director, Aries Legal Practice Management
Kirsty Pappin Founder & Director, Aries Legal Practice Management
Nicky Lloyd, Chief Operating Officer, Streathers
Nicky Lloyd Chief Operating Officer, Streathers
BigHand Host:
Nicola Paffard, Customer Success Manager, BigHand
Nicola Paffard Customer Success Manager, BigHand

Resource Management Track

Expert Panel
Proving the ROI: The Business Case for Resource Management

Join our expert panel as they explore the evolving world of law firm resourcing—covering everything from balancing capacity and demand to improving utilisation, engagement, and profitability. Hear views on who should own resourcing, the risks of lacking a long-term strategy, and why it matters for firms of all sizes.
This isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people, processes, and mindset shifts needed to drive smarter decisions and future-proof your firm. If you're looking to improve performance and build a more strategic approach to resourcing, this is a must-attend session.

External Speakers:
Greg Jackson, Director, PwC
Greg Jackson Director, PwC
Laura Seilern, Director of Talent & Reward, Norton Rose Fulbright
Laura Seiler Director of Talent & Reward, Norton Rose Fulbright
Mark Higgs, Chief Operating Officer, UK & Ireland, Freshfields
Mark Higgs Chief Operating Officer, UK & Ireland, Freshfields
BigHand Host:
Dave Cook, Global Director - Resource Management, BigHand
Dave Cook Global Director - Resource Management, BigHand

Finance Track

Business Intelligence Product Showcase

Explore how BigHand Business Intelligence empowers your firm to drive strategic decisions with data. In this live product demo, we’ll showcase the latest cloud release—including powerful self-serve capabilities—and demonstrate how interactive dashboards reveal key trends in billing, collections, profitability, staff utilisation, and matter performance across clients, practice groups, and more. We’ll also walk you through the ROI calculator to highlight the financial benefits BigHand BI can deliver for your firm.

BigHand Hosts:
Rob Stote, Chief Product Officer, BigHand
Rob Stote Chief Product Officer, BigHand
Lisa Maguire, Head of Product Marketing, BigHand
Lisa Maguire Head of Product Marketing, BigHand

Documents Track

Document Creation and Metadata Management Product Showcase

Join us for a live demo of the latest version of BigHand Document Creation and see how it helps law firms create flawless, brand-consistent documents faster than ever. Explore powerful new features, including integrated Document Comparison Tools and how our solution will work seamlessly with CoPilot. Discover how easy it is to format, style, and manage templates - enhancing client satisfaction, optimising your team’s time, and streamlining the entire document creation process for maximum efficiency.tools enhance client satisfaction, optimise your teams time, and streamline document creation for maximum efficiency.

BigHand Hosts:
Maria Clancy, Senior Solutions Manager, BigHand
Maria Clancy Senior Solutions Manager, BigHand
Owen Thomas, Principal Consultant, BigHand
Owen Thomas Principal Consultant, BigHand

IT Track

Client Panel
Delivering ROI on Your Tech Investments that Drives Tangible Productivity and Profitability Gains

In today’s competitive legal market, proving the ROI of your tech investments is more important than ever - making this session a must-attend for CIOs and IT-focused roles. Hear how other firms are tracking against their business cases and reporting measurable value back to the business, turning IT into a strategic, revenue-driving function. Learn from law firms and BigHand experts how technology is being used to boost productivity, enhance client satisfaction, and drive firm-wide growth through smarter innovation.

External Speakers:
Jas Bassi, Technology & Transformation Leader
Jas Bassi Technology & Transformation Leader
Andy Frost, Head of IT & Operations, RPC
Andy Frost Head of IT & Operations, RPC
BigHand Host:
Matt Davis, Global Director - Revenue Operations, BigHand
Matt Davis Global Director - Revenue Operations, BigHand

12:30 - 1:30 pm

Lunch

1:30 - 2:20 pm

Breakout Sessions


Workflow Management Track

Workflow Management Product Showcase

Get an exclusive look at BigHand Workflow Management and its latest features, including the API intergrations. Discover how our technology can streamline task delegation, improve support staff resource allocation, and provide visibility across your support function, ensuring the right work is handled by the right resource, at the right cost.

BigHand Hosts:
Duska Frink, Global Director - Solutions Management Solutions, BigHand
Duska Frink Global Director - Solutions Management Solutions, BigHand
Niki Kariappa, Commercial Product Manager, BigHand
Niki Kariappa Commercial Product Manager, BigHand

Resource Management Track

Resource Management Product Showcase

Join us for a live product demo of BigHand’s latest Resource Management release, featuring powerful new end-to-end in-system resourcing capabilities. For those already using our solution, we’ll showcase the latest feature enhancements and improvements. We’ll also demonstrate our ROI calculator in action, so you can clearly see the potential impact and value for your firm.

BigHand Hosts:
Alex Robertson, Senior Lead Consultant, BigHand
Alex Robertson Senior Lead Consultant, BigHand
Oli Langley, Product Marketing Executive, BigHand
Oli Langley Product Marketing Executive, BigHand

Finance Track

Client Panel
Redefining Matter Pricing: Profitability, Transparency, Flexible Models and Pricing Ownership

As client demands for transparency and flexible pricing grow - and annual price hikes become unsustainable - law firms are rethinking how to price-for-profit while still meeting client expectations, all while the billable hour remains firmly in place.
Join our client panel to explore how firms are adopting a strategic, profitability-first mindset, developing AFAs that work for both sides, and using technology to enable smarter, data-driven pricing. We’ll also discuss who should own pricing and the different approaches firms are taking to embed it across the business.

External Speakers:
Preston Gordon, Global Lead, Legal Pricing & LPM Initiatives, Mayer Brown
Preston Gordon Global Lead, Legal Pricing & LPM Initiatives, Mayer Brown
Amanda Hewitt, Pricing Manager, Arthur Cox
Amanda Hewitt Pricing Manager, Arthur Cox
BigHand Hosts:
Brian Taaffe, Senior Director, Platform & Data Strategy, BigHand
Brian Taaffe Senior Director, Platform & Data Strategy, BigHand

Documents Track

The Big Switch: A Practical Session on How to Switch to BigHand Document Creation

Thinking about switching to BigHand Document Creation - step right in, like so many other firms right now! This practical session will guide you through every step of the transition - whether you're moving from a self-built tool or a competitor product - with expert insights from the team who’ve done it all before. We'll also explore wider industry challenges around switching tech providers, including managing risk, ensuring continuity, and securing stakeholder buy-in, so you leave equipped with the knowledge to make a smooth and successful switch.

BigHand Hosts:
Bilal Hussain, Product Marketing Executive, BigHand
Bilal Hussain Product Marketing Executive, BigHand
Ben Archer, Lead Onboarding Project Consultant, BigHand
Ben Archer Lead Onboarding Project Consultant, BigHand

IT Track

IT as a Strategic Partner: Collaborating with the C-Suite

This interactive, workshop-style session is designed to help IT leaders strengthen collaboration with the wider C-suite and senior firm leadership. Learn practical strategies for aligning technology with firm-wide strategic initiatives, positioning IT as a proactive partner and driver of innovation from the outset. Walk away with actionable tips on how to elevate IT’s role in shaping and supporting the firm's long-term success.

External Speaker:
Caroline Hill, Editor, Legal IT Insider
Caroline Hill Editor, Legal IT Insider
Darren Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer, Simmons & Simmons
Darren Mitchell Chief Operating Officer, Simmons & Simmons

2:30 - 3:20 pm

Breakout Sessions


Workflow Management Track

Client Panel
Legal Support in 2030: Is Your Firm Ready?

Legal support services are never going to stand still. Finding the right balance of skill/value & cost against a backdrop of a reducing pool of the profession that was 'legal secretary' - firms need to put long-term strategies and tools in place. The increasing pressure to enhance efficiency, optimise costs, and retain top talent, requires firms to embrace data-driven decision-making or risk firm-wide disruption. Join our client panel to explore how leading firms are leveraging data to transform support services and drive greater value for lawyers and clients.
Uncover:

  • The different approaches to driving optimal success from your support functions
  • How firms have transformed the way they deliver support
  • The benefits of BigHand Workflow technology to law firms and their customers
  • Data-backed predictions for the future, driven by five years of industry research
  • The impact of doing nothing—and the strategic moves firms must make now to stay ahead
External Speakers:
Stephen Hepplestall, Business Change Manager, Weightmans
Stephen Hepplestall Business Change Manager, Weightmans
Tara Layman, Head of PA & Administrative Services, Pinsent Masons
Tara Layman Head of PA & Administrative Services, Pinsent Masons
Miranda Pammenter, Director of Premises and Operations, Michelmores
Miranda Pammenter Director of Premises and Operations, Michelmores
BigHand Host:
Ben Jennings, Global Director - Workflow Management, BigHand
Ben Jennings Global Director - Workflow Management, BigHand

Resource Management Track

Client Panel
Resource Management Unlocked: The value, the process and the lessons learned

Join our BigHand Resource Management client panel as they share how improved visibility and planning have boosted lawyer utilisation, enhanced staff retention, supported profit growth, and elevated client service. Hear from a range of firms how access to real-time data and insights has enabled smarter resourcing decisions and delivered tangible business impact.
Key takeaways:

  • The critical first steps when formalising resource management
  • The tangible benefits effective resource management has on a firm
  • The impact of structured processes, people, and technology
  • Practical advice and lessons learned for firms considering change
External Speakers:
Dipa Patel, Senior Resource Manager, RPC
Dipa Patel Senior Resource Manager, RPC
Sarah Felger, Chief Strategy Officer, Womble Bond Dickson
Sarah Felger Chief Strategy Officer, Womble Bond Dickson
Wendy Tomlinson, Chief People Officer, Taylor Wessing
Wendy Tomlinson Chief People Officer, Taylor Wessing
BigHand Host:
Alex Tring, Director of Operations and Resource Management Specialist, BigHand
Alex Tring Director of Operations and Resource Management Specialist, BigHand

Finance Track

Client Panel
Beyond the Numbers: Turning Business Intelligence into Profitability

Having access to financial and operational data is one thing - leveraging it for real business impact is another. Join our BigHand Business Intelligence client panel to hear how leading law firms are using advanced insights to drive profitability, improve decision-making, and create a culture of financial accountability.
Discover how they’re reducing debtor days, accelerating cash collections, and streamlining billing, with different approaches delivering value across all levels of the firm. Panellists will also share the most impactful elements of the solution and their top tips for firms looking to implement it effectively.

External Speakers:
Ed Aguero, CFO, Cole, Scott & Kissane;
Ed Aguero CFO, Cole, Scott & Kissane
Gavin Hogg, Head of Finance, Bristows
Gavin Hogg Head of Finance, Bristows
BigHand Host:
Rod Wittenberg, Senior Vice President – Financial Productivity, North America Sales, BigHand
Rod Wittenberg Senior Vice President – Financial Productivity, North America Sales, BigHand

IT Track

BigHand Product Roadmaps, APIs & Data Platform Overview

This session is designed for IT-focused roles and offers a comprehensive look at the product roadmaps for BigHand Workflow, Document Creation, Resource Management, Business Intelligence, and Matter Pricing. It will also include a review of BigHand’s evolving data and analytics platform, showcasing how firms can turn insights into action. Plus, a review of our API's & hear from a guest API partner on how clients are leveraging integrations to maximise value and drive more connected, efficient workflows.

BigHand Hosts:
Tricia Holst, Senior Director of Product Management, BigHand
Tricia Holst Senior Director of Product Management, BigHand
Brian Taaffe, Senior Director, Platform & Data Strategy, BigHand
Brian Taaffe Senior Director, Platform & Data Strategy, BigHand

Networking

Workflow Management User Group

To learn more about this session and to RSVP, click here.

3:30 - 3:45 pm

Break

3:50 - 4:40 pm

Breakout Sessions


Workshop

Mastering Change: A Strategic Approach to Law Firm Transformation

In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore the key principles of driving successful technology adoption in law firms - from securing leadership buy-in to navigating cultural shifts. You'll also examine the risks of poor change management, such as stalled projects, low morale, and missed opportunities for innovation. Walk away with practical tools and insights to lead sustainable transformation and ensure your tech investments deliver lasting value.

External Speakers:
Dan Safran, President/CEO, Unbiased Consulting
Dan Safran President/CEO, Unbiased Consulting
BigHand Host:
Duska Frink, Global Director - Solutions Management Solutions, BigHand
Duska Frink Global Director - Solutions Management Solutions, BigHand

Finance Track

Expert Panel
Beyond the Billable Hour: New Strategies for Law Firm Profitability

Despite steady revenue growth, stable profitability, and yearly rate increases, law firms are paying closer attention to financial performance than ever before. With rising operational costs, growing client demands for transparency, and increasing pressure to meet partner PEP expectations, firms are being pushed to operate more like businesses. Join our expert panel to explore what’s driving this shift, how firms are responding, and why understanding the financial big picture as well as the detail is essential for future success.

External Speakers:
Elena Folkes, Founder, Beacon Collective
Elena Folkes Founder, Beacon Collective
Kate Stanfield, Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer, Collas Crill
Kate Stanfield Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer, Collas Crill
Nick Patterson, Head of Finance, Bedell Cristin
Nick Patterson Head of Finance, Bedell Cristin
BigHand Host:
Eric Wangler, President Global Legal Market, BigHand
Eric Wangler President Global Legal Market, BigHand

Documents Track

Client Panel
Mastering Document Creation: Insights, Tips & Takeaways direct from Law Firms

In this client panel session on BigHand Document Creation, you’ll hear firsthand from leading law firms on how they've navigated the journey - from selecting the solution and rolling it out, to effectively managing it day-to-day. With the rapid acceleration of legal innovation, getting the basics right is more important than ever, and our panelists will share the real-world benefits they’ve seen, the practical tips they’ve picked up, and the lessons learned along the way. Expect an honest discussion on change management, user adoption, and how to align document creation with broader firm efficiency goals.

External Speakers:
Andrea Bowyer, Document Productivity Specialist, Norton Rose Fulbright
Andrea Bowyer Document Productivity Specialist, Norton Rose Fulbright
Gary Damon, Technical Operations Manager, Travers Smith
Gary Damon Technical Operations Manager, Travers Smith
Nick Wright, IT Manager, Simkins
Nick Wright IT Manager, Simkins

Finance Track

Matter Pricing Product Showcase

"With increased focus on pricing from both clients and within firms showing no signs of slowing, now is the time to get ahead of the curve - just as many leading US firms have. In this live product demo, we’ll showcase the latest release of our cloud-based Matter Pricing and Budgeting solution, designed to help firms respond to growing demands for transparency, flexible pricing, and precise budgeting.
See how BigHand Matter Pricing enables performance analysis, eliminates pricing guesswork, delivers clear budgets, and supports smarter strategies through scenario planning."

BigHand Hosts:
Rod Wittenberg, Senior Vice President – Financial Productivity, North America Sales, BigHand
Rod Wittenberg Senior Vice President – Financial Productivity, North America Sales, BigHand
George Egford, Solutions Manager, Financial Productivity, EMEA & US, BigHand
George Egford Solutions Manager, Financial Productivity, EMEA & US, BigHand

Networking

Legal COO Network

To learn more about this session and to RSVP, click here.

4:40 - 6:30 pm

Drinks Reception

6:30 - 8:30pm

BigHand Afterparty

  Backyard at The Light Bar
223 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6PJ
  6:30pm – 8:30pm

The Countdown is ON!

 

Join the celebration, reserve your spot for the 2025 BigHand Conference!

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