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Raising the Bar for Client Services in the Legal Industry

By Richard Culberson |

Raising the Bar for Client Services in the Legal Industry

The following was contributed by Richard Culberson, the CEO North America of Moneypenny, the world’s customer conversation experts, specializing in call answering and live chat solutions.

Delivering exceptional client service in the legal industry isn’t about grand gestures or over-the-top perks. Instead, it’s about providing seamless, efficient, and consistent experience—ensuring clients feel supported, informed, and confident in your expertise.

Legal professionals instinctively prioritize client satisfaction, knowing that trust and reputation are everything in the industry. However, keeping clients happy doesn’t require excessive handholding or elaborate corporate hospitality. True exceptional service comes from delivering reliable, solutions-focused support that alleviates stress and allows clients to focus on their priorities.

What Does Seamless Client Service Look Like in Law?

The key is demonstrating value by making legal processes smoother, less stressful, and more efficient. Clients don’t just seek legal expertise—they seek peace of mind that comes from knowing their matter is in good hands, that communication will be clear, and that their legal team will proactively anticipate their needs.

For law firms to reach this high level in client service, it means keeping promises, handling matters efficiently, and exceeding expectations where it matters most—through expertise, responsiveness, and a seamless experience.

How to Build Long-Term Client Loyalty

Focusing on client experience is often a thankless task in the short term, as good service is expected, while poor service is called out. However, over time, delivering consistently excellent service will build trust and loyalty because when clients know they can rely on you, they are more likely to return for future matters and refer others to your firm.

However, being dependable doesn’t mean standing still. Instead, by understanding client touchpoints and pain points, legal professionals can provide even greater value—sometimes before clients even realize they need it.

The Role of Personalization in Legal Client Service

Every client is unique, and every client has unique needs, and it goes without saying that tailoring your approach to those needs is a key differentiator in the legal industry. Even if it is the same type of case as the one you have just handled, it is still unique and requires personalized updates, proactive case management, and thoughtful communication. This will only serve to enhance the client experience and demonstrate that your firm values their business.

What’s more, providing this level of service turns satisfied clients into ambassadors for your firm. While appreciation gifts or hospitality, for example, can be a nice touch, they are meaningless without the reliable service behind them. The true measure of outstanding client service is in making complex legal matters as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Seven Pillars of Seamless Legal Client Service

To consistently deliver outstanding client service, legal professionals should focus on these key principles:

  1. Understand Your Client – Know their goals, concerns, and expectations.
  2. Deliver Convenience and Ease of Use – Make processes straightforward and accessible.
  3. Be Proactive – Anticipate client needs before they arise.
  4. Personalize Your Approach – Tailor communication and solutions to each client.
  5. Communicate Clearly and Regularly – Keep clients informed without overwhelming them.
  6. Keep Your Promises – Reliability builds trust and long-term relationships.
  7. Seek and Act on Feedback – Continuously improve based on client insights.

Reframing the goal from going “above and beyond” to making the legal journey as effortless as possible will create a strong foundation for long-term success. And by doing so, law firms can build lasting client loyalty and a reputation for excellence that sets them apart in an increasingly competitive industry.

About the author

Richard Culberson

Richard Culberson

Commercial

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CSAA Sees 2026 Shift in Litigation Finance Fight

By John Freund |

A senior legal executive at CSAA Insurance Group has signaled what she describes as a potential turning point in the long-running conflict between insurers and the litigation finance industry. Speaking amid heightened political and regulatory scrutiny of third-party funding, the comments reflect growing confidence among insurers that momentum is shifting in their favor after years of unsuccessful pushback.

An article in Insurance Business reports that CSAA’s chief legal officer argued that 2026 could mark a decisive phase in efforts to rein in litigation finance, citing increasing legislative interest and judicial awareness of the role funding plays in driving claim frequency and severity. According to the article, CSAA views litigation funding as a key contributor to social inflation, a term insurers use to describe the rising costs of claims driven by larger jury verdicts, expanded liability theories, and aggressive litigation tactics.

The executive pointed to a wave of proposed disclosure rules and transparency initiatives at both the state and federal levels as evidence that lawmakers are taking insurer concerns more seriously. These proposals generally seek to require plaintiffs to disclose whether a third-party funder has a financial interest in a case, a reform insurers argue is necessary to assess conflicts, settlement dynamics, and the true economics of litigation. While many of these measures remain contested, CSAA appears encouraged by what it sees as a shift in tone compared to previous years.

The article also highlights the broader industry context in which these comments were made. Insurers have increasingly framed litigation finance as a systemic risk rather than a niche practice, linking it to higher premiums, reduced coverage availability, and increased volatility in underwriting results. Litigation funders, for their part, continue to argue that funding expands access to justice and that disclosure mandates risk revealing sensitive strategy and privileged information.

Axiom Shuts Arizona Law Firm After Three-Year Experiment

By John Freund |

Axiom, the global legal talent and services provider, has decided to close its Arizona-based law firm, Axiom Advice & Counsel, marking the end of a high-profile experiment under the state’s alternative business structure regime. The move comes roughly three years after the firm launched, and reflects a broader strategic refocus rather than a regulatory intervention or disciplinary issue.

An article in Reuters reports that Axiom voluntarily chose to wind down the law firm as part of a reassessment of where it sees the greatest opportunity for growth. The firm plans to surrender its license, with the process subject to review by the Arizona Supreme Court, and indicated that the decision was made in 2025 following internal changes and departures at the firm. Axiom described the venture as a useful learning experience but ultimately one that no longer aligned with its core business priorities.

Axiom Advice & Counsel launched in early 2023 after Arizona became the first US state to permit non-lawyer ownership of law firms. The firm was positioned as a novel hybrid, combining Axiom’s flexible legal staffing model with direct legal services delivered through a licensed law firm. At launch, Axiom emphasized efficiency, technology enablement, and an alternative to the traditional law firm structure. However, by early 2025, key personnel had left the practice, and the firm concluded that operating a regulated law firm was not the optimal use of its resources.

The closure comes amid continued experimentation under Arizona’s ABS framework. Around 150 entities have been licensed, including legal services platforms such as LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer, professional services providers like KPMG, and other alternative legal service providers testing new delivery models. While some have expanded their footprint, others, like Axiom, appear to be recalibrating their approach.

Omni Bridgeway Reports Strong 2Q26 Portfolio Performance

By John Freund |

Global litigation funder Omni Bridgeway has released a positive second quarter portfolio update, pointing to strong completion metrics and reinforcing confidence in its diversified funding strategy across jurisdictions and dispute types. The update highlights the importance of disciplined case selection and portfolio construction at a time when the legal funding market continues to mature and face closer scrutiny from investors.

An article in GlobeNewswire outlines that Omni Bridgeway recorded excellent completion outcomes during the quarter, with multiple matters reaching resolution and contributing to realizations. The company emphasized that these completions were achieved across different regions and segments of its portfolio, underscoring the benefits of geographic and claim diversification. Management noted that the results were consistent with internal expectations and supported the firm’s longer term return profile.

According to the update, Omni Bridgeway continues to focus on converting invested capital into realized proceeds, rather than simply growing commitments. The funder highlighted that completion metrics are a key indicator of portfolio health, as they reflect both successful case outcomes and effective timing of resolutions. Strong completions also provide liquidity that can be recycled into new opportunities, supporting sustainable growth without excessive balance sheet strain.

The update also touched on broader portfolio dynamics, including the ongoing mix of single case investments and portfolio arrangements with law firms and corporates. Omni Bridgeway reiterated that its underwriting approach remains cautious, with an emphasis on downside protection and realistic settlement expectations. While the company acknowledged that litigation timelines can be unpredictable, it expressed confidence that the current portfolio is well positioned to deliver value over the medium term.