7 tips for running a successful future-focused strategy session for legal teams

In today’s rapidly changing legal industry, staying ahead means more than just reacting to current trends. Law firms and in-house legal teams must future-proof their strategies to navigate evolving technologies, shifting client expectations, regulatory changes, and more.

A future-focused strategy session offers a powerful way to anticipate these changes and generate proactive solutions.

Here are seven tips from the Treehouse team to help you run an engaging, results-driven strategy session that prepares your team for what’s next.

1. Define clear objectives for the session

All great workshops start with clear goals, so kick off by clarifying what you want to achieve. Establishing clear objectives will keep the discussion focused and ensure participants leave with clear actions.

Top tip: Before the session, circulate a brief outlining the purpose, objectives, and any key questions to consider. This will help your team come prepared to contribute meaningfully.

2. Set the right atmosphere for open collaboration

Creating an open and collaborative environment is crucial for encouraging diverse ideas and insights. Ensure that all participants feel comfortable sharing their perspectives, regardless of their seniority or role within the team.

Top tip: Encourage participants to engage in creative thinking by framing the session as a safe space for exploring “what if” scenarios and challenging assumptions about the future of the legal sector.

3. Choose the right setting

Choose an environment conducive to open discussion, whether it’s an off-site team event, a strategy meeting, or part of an innovation workshop. The right setting helps participants break away from daily routines and think more expansively about the future of the legal sector.

Top tip: A strategy session can either be the entire purpose of bringing people together for a half or full day, or it can come as part of a wider event.

4. Use possible future scenarios to guide discussion

Future-focused strategy sessions benefit from structured exercises that help participants envision different possibilities. Using visuals of possible scenarios can guide discussions, enabling your team to explore multiple future paths and how each might impact the legal landscape.

Top tip: Use visuals to help ground abstract concepts in real-world possibilities, making it easier for participants to engage.

5. Engage your team with interactive tools

Rather than relying solely on presentations or discussions, incorporate interactive tools and activities that get your team thinking in new ways. These can include role-playing exercises, group brainstorming, or prioritisation activities.

Top tip: Have a broad structure for your session to ensure you achieve your goals, but also allow space for flexible discussions so that participants have room to be inspired by the stimulus you share, and time to develop their ideas.

6. Focus on opportunities and threats

A well-rounded strategy session should consider both potential opportunities for growth and innovation, as well as emerging threats or challenges that the legal team might face in the future. In the Law 2035 Illustrated Futures ‘Workshop in a Box’, you’ll find facilitation guidance to help you encourage participants to use the illustrated futures cards to think about how to leverage opportunities and mitigate risks.

Top tip: Dedicate time to discuss how your team can capitalise on trends like legal tech, AI, or regulatory changes, while also preparing for disruptions such as shifting client demands or economic fluctuations.

7. End with clear actions

To ensure your strategy session leads to real impact, close the session with concrete next steps. Summarise key insights, assign responsibilities, and establish timelines for any follow-up actions.

Top tip: Use the outcomes from your session to inform strategic planning, and consider scheduling regular future-focused discussions to keep your team on track as the legal landscape evolves.