ALA NYC CLM Lunch & Learn
The Future-Focused Law Firm’s Guide to Selecting the Right IT Partner
Selecting a technology partner is one of the most consequential operational decisions a law firm can make. The right partner can improve security, productivity, business continuity, and user satisfaction. The wrong partner can create operational disruption, increase risk, frustrate attorneys and staff, and lead to costly technology decisions that fail to support firm goals.
Whether your firm is evaluating providers for the first time, considering a change, or assessing the effectiveness of its current technology partnership, this session will provide actionable guidance to support informed decision-making and stronger operational outcomes.
Content Overview
- Evaluate technology support models.
- Determine when outsourcing makes sense.
- Identify the critical factors that distinguish a strategic technology partner from a generic IT vendor.
- Balance cybersecurity, compliance requirements, attorney experience, operational efficiency, and budget constraints.
- Explore the questions every law firm should ask during the technology partner selection process.
- Review the documentation and security evidence firms should request.
- Recognize warning signs that may indicate future service, governance, or security problems.
- Address emerging considerations, including AI readiness, cloud strategy, business continuity planning, vendor accountability, and legal-industry-specific technology expertise.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Assess whether outsourcing IT services is the right fit for their firm’s size, structure, and business goals.
- Identify the essential questions to ask when vetting technology partners.
- Recognize red flags during the evaluation and selection process.
- Balance security, productivity, user experience, and cost when making technology decisions.
- Apply a framework for choosing and managing the right IT partner for their law firm.
Speaker
Jude Travers-Frazier, JD
Chief Operating Officer and Associate General Counsel, Kraft Kennedy
Jude Travers-Frazier, JD, is the Chief Operating Officer and Associate General Counsel at Kraft Kennedy. With more than 30 years of legal technology experience and a background as a practicing attorney, he helps organizations align technology, security, operations, and business strategy. A frequent presenter for ALA and legal technology audiences, Jude is known for making complex technology and cybersecurity topics accessible, practical, and relevant to business and legal professionals. He also participates in cybersecurity leadership and information-sharing initiatives that advance security best practices across the managed services community.
When: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Where: TBD
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