Doing justice to the legal world

The Challenge

By the summer of 2022, Legal 500 stood at the threshold of a new era. Founded in 1989, the publishing and events company had built its reputation on unparalleled research into law firms and lawyers, enabling businesses and individuals to make informed decisions about legal representation. Their flagship product, legal500.com, had successfully transitioned from a print edition to a digital platform, but they knew they had untapped potential.

Legal 500 envisioned themselves as more than a publisher – and we helped them to see their opportunity to become a marketing and data powerhouse, driving value for their global audience. However, evolving their ways of working to match this ambition was the next big step.

Chief Product Officer Stephen Jones encapsulated their goals perfectly: “Can you help us unlock that potential?”

The Work

Spork began by partnering closely with the Legal 500 team, uncovering opportunities to build on their considerable strengths:

• Depth of Expertise: A team with unrivalled domain knowledge and decades of experience.
• Creativity and Passion: A palpable enthusiasm for their mission and impact on the legal industry.

We designed a tailored approach to help Legal 500 embrace a product-led mindset, empowering their team to innovate and thrive.

Key Initiatives

• Tailored Agile Practices: Instead of applying a rigid framework, we co-created agile processes that fit seamlessly into their culture, introducing new workflows designed to be collaborative.
• Empowering the Team: Through strategic coaching and hands-on support, we helped the team develop new skills, shift their focus to outcomes, and embrace a culture of continuous improvement.
• Reframing the Narrative: We reinforced their role as a data-driven organisation, positioning their insights as a driver for innovation and growth.

By introducing practical tools and practices and fostering a mindset of agility and collaboration, we created the conditions for sustained progress.

The Outcome

By October 2023, Legal 500 achieved a milestone they hadn’t seen before: “There are no urgent bugs left”. For the first time, the product team could devote their energy to building new features, unburdened by firefighting.

This transformation was far-reaching:

• Outcome-Driven Focus: The team now operates with a clear vision, tackling challenges early and aligning around shared goals.
• Streamlined Processes: Agile workflows and structured prioritisation have replaced reactive task management, enabling faster and more valuable delivery.
• A Platform for Innovation: Legal 500 is now positioned to lead in the legal industry, creating impactful products and services for their global audience.

Legal 500's transformation is ongoing, and their journey from digital plateau to a future-focused, product-led organisation is inspiring. At Spork, we’re proud to have been part of their evolution and continue to support their growth as a trusted partner.