Making an Argument for Legal Tech That Leadership Can’t Ignore

According to an article by LawVu’s Marija Barbarich, making an argument for legal tech that leadership can’t ignore requires overcoming the perception that legal is only a cost center. Even though legal technology has become a business necessity, legal teams often face resistance during the budget cycle. As legal competes against departments seen as more directly tied to growth or revenue, the challenge lies in reframing legal tech as a strategic enabler.

To win support, legal ops professionals should link technology investments directly to company goals. Whether the focus is growth, cost control, or risk mitigation, tying legal tools to measurable business priorities makes the case more compelling. Starting with the organization’s Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) helps frame legal tech as integral to achieving company-wide success.

Quantifying return on investment (ROI) is another critical step. Directional data on time savings, reduced outside counsel costs, or risk avoidance can influence decision-makers. Industry research can help establish benchmarks, demonstrating how inefficient legal workflows create costly friction throughout the organization.

Building alliances across the business is also important. Finance teams prioritize ROI, IT teams focus on security and compliance, and business units, such as sales, value speed and access. Engaging each stakeholder early and tailoring the message to their priorities ensures buy-in and momentum.

Barbarich says that when pitching the case for legal tech, start small but show a path to scaling. A phased approach that resolves high-impact pain points, scales the adoption process, and expands into other areas helps reduce perceived risk. Finally, a clear, data-backed business case, supported by third-party research, the identification of company-wide benefits, and success metrics, translates a vision into numbers that decision-makers can trust.