Gwen Griggs and Phil Flora will open MPL by welcoming the group, outlining the goals for the day, and setting the tone for collaborative conversation. They’ll guide the room through introductions to ensure partners are engaged and connecting with one another from the very start. This kickoff creates early momentum and helps establish the shared energy that will carry through the rest of the program.
Get a clear, compelling snapshot of the forces reshaping the profession and what they mean for mid‑sized firms. This session is designed to be short, memorable, and perspective‑shifting, giving leaders a shared foundation before diving into the deeper conversations that follow.
This expert panel brings together leaders who have successfully navigated AI adoption inside mid-sized law firms. They will break down the practical “how” of implementing AI—from governance structures and risk management to workflow integration and cultural readiness. Panelists will share real examples of AI initiatives launched within firms like yours, including what worked, what didn’t, and what they would do differently. Attendees will leave with a grounded understanding of how to move from curiosity to execution in a way that fits the realities of mid-sized operations.
Every managing partner in 2026 is leading through transition — AI reshaping the economics of legal work and complex partnership dynamics. David Sarnoff, ICF Certified Executive Coach, founder of Sarnoff Group, and co-author of Beyond the Courtroom (PLI Press, 2026), brings over two decades of executive coaching and search experience to the Managing Partner Lab. Drawing on his work coaching managing partners, GCs, and senior partners through the most consequential transitions of their careers, David walks through the coaching frameworks that actually move leaders forward: coaching yourself and your peers through the AI-era identity shift every senior lawyer is quietly wrestling with, succession planning that doesn't blow up partnership dynamics, and having the hard conversations with underperforming partners. Practical, candid, and built for the room — leave with a coaching toolkit you can use the moment you're back at the firm, and a sharper view of how to lead yourself and your partners through whatever 2026 brings next.
This panel brings together leaders who understand the financial realities of mid-sized firms and what truly drives profitability. They will explore how top-performing firms approach the business of law differently—from disciplined matter management to smarter, value‑aligned pricing strategies. Panelists will highlight the new pricing models mid-sized firms are actually adopting today, including where they’re seeing measurable gains. The conversation will also examine how AI is reshaping billing practices and challenging long‑standing assumptions about the billable hour. Attendees will leave with practical, actionable insights to strengthen financial performance in a rapidly evolving market.
In this candid conversation, general counsels will share what they expect from their outside counsel today—and how those expectations are shifting. They’ll discuss the pressures they face inside their organizations and what truly influences their decisions when selecting and retaining firms. The panel will highlight where mid-sized firms have distinct advantages, from responsiveness and specialization to cost‑effective value delivery. Attendees will gain a clearer picture of what clients are asking for now and how firms can position themselves to win and deepen those relationships.
We’ll wrap up the day by inviting participants to share their biggest insights and takeaways from the sessions. This collective reflection not only helps surface themes and ideas that resonated across the room, but also sparks new thinking as attendees hear what stood out to their peers. It’ll be a fast, energizing way to close the day and reinforce the momentum built throughout MPL.
