Law.com Pro Mid-Market Interviews Jonathan Harris on 2025 Law Firm Leadership Priorities

February 5, 2025

Growth through associate hiring, investments in technology and billable rates are top of mind for law firm leaders, according to a new ALM managing partner survey. To interpret the survey’s results from a midsize law firm perspective, Law.com’s Pro Mid-Market turned to Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler LLP managing partner Jonathan Harris for his insights.

The article (subscription required) includes Harris’s thoughts on billable rates as a differentiator for HSW — a midsize firm doing the same caliber of work as larger competitors. 

“We charge a fair price, but we are just so much less expensive than the Kirklands of the world, and that's not just rates. Kirkland might put five people on a matter while we have two or three people on the matter,” Harris told Law.com. “So our rates are less and we have fewer people on the matter. We're just so much less expensive than those mega-firms that, for the quality of work we deliver, I think we're just an excellent value.

The survey also found that firms focused on associate hiring last year to achieve growth goals, with many saying they hired more first-years in 2024 than in 2023. Most firms indicated they grew throughout 2024, with 30% saying they grew by more than 10%.

That was certainly true for HSW. The firm grew substantially in 2024, adding eight new attorneys, including six associates. These hires were driven by increased demand for the firm’s services across all three of its core areas — employment, high-stakes commercial litigation and white-collar defense and investigations.

The survey also noted more investment in technology, with nearly 50% of firms increasing spending in that area. As part of its 2024 growth, HSW added Michael McClain as discovery counsel and director of technology. In this role, he will ensure the firm leverages technology to serve clients, maintain quality and improve efficiency.