As pricing complexity has grown across the legal industry, FordHarrison recognised the need for faster, deeper access to reliable financial data. Prior to adopting BigHand BI, the firm relied heavily on manual reporting and static datasets, slowing its ability to respond to both internal and client‑facing pricing requests. The case study highlights how these challenges - combined with market‑wide pressures such as rising write‑offs and greater client demand for transparency - made advanced business intelligence a strategic priority.
With the deployment of BigHand Business Intelligence, FordHarrison established a modern, data‑driven foundation that has delivered significant impact, including more than a 50% reduction in time spent on pricing analytics. This empowers the pricing team to access matter history, financial indicators, and performance data in seconds, enabling more predictable budgeting conversations and more effective alternative fee arrangements.
FordHarrison CFO Eric Holman describes the transformation as pivotal to the firm’s evolution:
“We now have an incredible powerhouse for financial data,” Holman said. “If you need realization measures, last bill dates, or to slice data by phase or task code, you’re seconds away from it. About half of what we do at FordHarrison right now can be done from the cube, and the rest involves modeling with that data. The efficiency gains are massive, and it’s one of the best investments we’ve made on the pricing side.”
This progress aligns with broader market trends. According to BigHand’s Annual Law Firm Finance Report, 96% of firms raised rates in the past 12 months, yet 89% saw write‑offs increase - highlighting the urgent need for disciplined, insight‑driven pricing strategies. FordHarrison’s experience demonstrates how data transparency and real‑time intelligence can help firms navigate these pressures while improving client value.
