AI in Law for Legal Pros to Stay Relevant by Client Relationships and Business Thinking - Roger Bull

In this episode of Beyond Billables: Lessons from Top Law Firm Partners, host Stephen Rodney sits down with Roger Bull, Managing Partner of Burges Salmon LLP, about what successful law firm leadership and partnership look like in practice. They discuss client focus, listening-led strategy, AI, sector knowledge, lateral integration and the behaviours that help partners build stronger relationships and make better commercial decisions. Roger explains how he moved from planning to study medicine to reading law at Oxford, training at Burges Salmon and later leading its employment team before becoming managing partner in 2018. His experience as a trainee, employment partner, department head and firm leader informs his view that leadership depends on listening, collaboration, accountability and a deep understanding of clients’ businesses. Expect to Learn: How listening sessions, partner working groups and local team conversations can turn a firm-wide strategy into shared accountability. Why successful partners need to understand a client’s business, sector, challenges and opportunities before giving legal advice. The ways AI can strengthen research, document review and data analysis without replacing client relationships or judgement. How lateral integration improves when firms plan introductions, business services support, buddy systems and sponsor accountability before a recruit arrives. Why curiosity, fairness, consistency and client focus are central behaviours for law firm leaders and their teams. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] – Teaser [00:54] – Welcome & Introduction to Beyond Billables with Roger Bull [06:23] – Building Leadership Skills: From Head of Department to Managing Partner [11:23] – Rolling Out the Strategy: Town Halls, Q&A, and Team-Level Implementation [17:23] – Making Your Clients Look Good: Clear Steers and Actionable Advice [23:10] – Leadership Attributes: Listening, Boldness, Empathy, and Human Connection [28:02] – The Market Opportunity: US Mergers and Pressure on Fee Rates [34:53] – Accountability: Checking In with Sponsoring Partners [37:53] – Best and Worst Moments: Tribunal Advocacy and Awards Ceremonies [45:17] – The Future: AI Optimism and the Private Equity Question [48:59] – One Golden Rule: Client Focus and Looking After People [49:38] – Closing Remarks Connect with Roger Bull: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-bull/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/burges-salmon-llp/ Company’s Website: https://www.burges-salmon.com/ Connect with Stephen Rodney: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmrodney/ Company’s Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Connect with IntoGreat Coaching: Website: https://www.intogreatcoaching.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intogreat-coaching/ Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5itRkdqnE9iUG7XuVXfur9?si=cd8ec898274442d9&nd=1&dlsi=6ff13118ea1a44b4 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-billables-lessons-from-top-law-firm-partners/id1847593311 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenRodney-i8l