Beyond the Billable Hour: The Skills Law Firms Are Missing in 2025
“How many hours have you billed this month?”
It’s the age old question used to measure value in the legal world, but in 2025, it’s starting to feel a little outdated. While technical legal skills will always be the foundation, what separates future-ready firms from those stuck in the past is no longer just about hours or expertise, it’s about agility, innovation, and adaptability.
The biggest skill gap law firms are facing today isn’t just about law, it’s about mindset. Entrepreneurial thinking and tech fluency have become non-negotiables. Yet, the legal profession is still playing catch-up.
Tech Skills: No Longer Optional
Technology is transforming the legal landscape at a rapid pace, not just in what clients need advice on, but in how legal teams operate internally. From AI-driven research to smart automation and digital document review, tech is reshaping the business of law. Still, many firms lag behind when it comes to embedding these capabilities into everyday practice.
Here’s where the gaps need noting:
Digital literacy – Knowing what tools exist isn’t enough; lawyers need to know how to use them strategically.
Data fluency – The ability to extract, interpret, and present data in a legal or commercial context is now a competitive edge.
Cybersecurity awareness – With data breaches and cyber threats on the rise, every team member, not just IT, needs to understand the risks and their role in managing them.
These aren’t future needs. They’re today’s realities. And law firms that don't upskill risk falling behind the curve.
Entrepreneurial Skills: The Hidden Advantage
Legal expertise alone isn’t enough anymore. Clients want advisors who understand their business, not just their legal risks. The firms that are winning? They think like startups. They move fast, innovate, and stay close to their clients' needs.
Entrepreneurial skills in legal practice look like:
Client-first innovation: Spotting client pain points before they’re voiced, and offering solutions beyond the textbook.
Commercial acumen: Seeing the bigger picture and delivering strategic, business-aligned advice.
Growth mindset: Building a personal brand, using digital platforms to connect, and proactively generating new opportunities.
Bridging the Gap: What Law Firms Must Do
The legal market isn’t going back to the way things were. The firms that thrive will be the ones that evolve, with intention. That starts with shifting culture and capability from the inside out.
Here’s how:
Invest in upskilling : From cybersecurity and AI to business development and leadership, firms need to offer meaningful, continuous learning opportunities.
Build smarter pipelines: Partnering with universities, tech incubators, and alternative talent sources can open doors to new skills and fresh thinking.
Hire beyond the traditional mould: Hybrid talent, people with backgrounds in startups, corporate strategy, or tech can bring the edge firms need to stay competitive.
Create a culture of innovation: Encouraging experimentation, collaboration, and agility sends a strong message: we're not just keeping up, we're leading.
Looking ahead
The legal profession is at a crossroads. In a landscape shaped by rapid change, clients aren’t just looking for legal advice, they want strategic, tech-enabled, commercially savvy partners.
To survive and thrive, law firms must stop thinking like institutions and start thinking like startups. The skills gap is real, but it’s also an opportunity. For those ready to evolve, the future is wide open.