My 2024 review is a collection of legal market strategy and management thought pieces based on inuksuit and invention, as well as a preview of a fearless 2025.
2024 was a year of inuksuit and invention. In 2025, I expect acceleration of inuksuit-like signals across global legal markets that present as thoughts, events, and repercussions. Those who are vigilant and sensitive to these legal market inuksuit will instigate inventive action that affects our industry as a class and impacts individuals.
Even though I’m a private individual, my personal inuksuit and reinvention may provide context for what I’m forecasting to be massive change across the global legal services market that, to date, has been somewhat incremental, but will increase in volume and velocity resulting in an extensive overhaul that is long overdue.
Personal Inuksuit and Invention
An inuksuk (plural inuksuit) is a set of stones often stacked in the figure of a human. An Inuit cultural symbol, inuksuit are found in the Arctic and act as a point of reference or landmark for travel routes. Finding an inuksuk is a signal that even if you’re lost, you’re found and in some instances are exactly where you need to be.
Among the inuksuit on my life’s path was Inukshuk, an iconic and beloved polar bear who was a treasured and guiding influence. While I love what I do professionally, my personal passion and pro bono work pertains to the wellbeing of polar bears. Inukshuk died in August of this year. That he touched my heart and changed my life is an understatement. That he entrusted me to enter into his life was a privilege.
My own invention, or reinvention, was achieved by regaining better health—and not for the first time.
A diagnosis in February of type 2 diabetes triggered my instant adoption of a better lifestyle and diet resulting in a reversal of the disease within six months with no medication. I am grateful to Toronto-based nephrologist, Dr. Jason Fung, whose common sense lessons appear in his books, The Diabetes Code and The Diabetes Code Cookbook.
No sugar, low carbohydrates, medium protein, and high fat along with intermittent fasting every other day for a span of 36 to 40 hours reversed type 2 diabetes and returned me to “fighting weight” having lost 35 pounds.
Inflammation, brain fog, and every other negative physical, emotional, mental and spiritual malady is gone. My energy is through the roof, and I move with ease. My body’s odometer has been rolled back 20 years and I have never felt or been healthier.
While this regimen runs contrary to traditional medical teaching and advice to medicate, it works—at least for me. That’s because as anyone who knows me will tell you, I’m driven, determined, and dogged.
Type 2 diabetes is recognized as a worldwide epidemic due to sugar being engineered into many whole foods and added into almost every food product. Sugar can kill you. Please don’t let that happen.
If my reversal of type 2 diabetes encourages others who can treat themselves in this manner and my support might help, please be in touch.
Professional Inuksuit and Invention
As for landmarks in legal markets worldwide, 2024 was a gangbuster year with the global legal environment facing unprecedented pressure to adopt, adapt, and embrace many aspects of change and reinvent itself at the speed of summer lightening.
This is why my 2024 articles, blog posts, speaking engagements, and book contributions highlight advances, examine issues of concern, and provide recommendations.
I have long been considered visionary. When beginning my legal market work 27 years ago, a senior colleague suggested that, figuratively, I would be best placed on the roof of the firm’s Toronto Bay Street tower so I could look out five years, see what was coming, and determine how best to meet the future more than halfway.
That description resonated then and still does now. This is why I forecast our future legal market state, provide fresh ideas and solutions, and offer unique perspectives to spark inventive thoughts and decisive actions.
2024 Legal Market Review
The theme of global legal markets in 2024 has been radical industry evolution along with the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence on legal services business.
Traditional legal services enterprises must continually evolve their business strategies in an increasingly competitive industry that is experiencing market pressures pertaining to economics, talent, and technology.
These pressures signal opportunities for growth and even though competition keeps players sharp, a one of one market position enables exclusivity and dominance.
These themes are explored in my 2024 articles, posts, speaking engagements, and book contributions.
Articles and Posts
Speaking Engagements and Book Contributions
2025 Legal Market Preview
Those of us in the legal services market who revel in change continue to have the time of our lives while uncertainty that change brings can and will continue to be cause for concern for those who prefer predictability.
The good news is that there will be a place for all types of players in the legal services ecosystem. Even more beneficially, it’s becoming glaringly apparent that a law degree won’t be a requirement or essential for legal services business success.
Major factors, such as talent attraction as well as lawyer succession especially as it pertains to client retention will be critical to success and solvency. And, of course, in the same all-encompassing way that the Internet changed how the world works, the ferocious pace of advancements in artificial intelligence will continue to impact every aspect of how all legal service enterprises operate.
For these reasons and more, the business of legal services has never been more interesting than it is right now.
Comfortably Fearless
These are exhilarating times for those of us who welcome evolution and invention in the legal services environment, and are comfortable with change and change management.
For those who are not comfortable with change, I recommend getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Many of us chose to enter a continually reinventing legal services industry and have done so with fearless intention. Our determination continues to be underscored by creative legal market strategies, daring distinctiveness, entrepreneurial zeal, innovative thinking, data-driven doing, and a people-first focus.
My advice for 2025 is to be fearless and keep your head up. And for 2025 and beyond, remain vigilant and sensitive to inuksuit – in whatever form they appear – on your professional and personal paths.
On that enthusiastic yet entirely realistic note, please accept my best wishes for a healthy, happy Holiday Season and a fearless 2025.
Heather Suttie is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on legal market strategy and management of legal services firms.
For 27 years, she has advised leaders of premier law firms and legal service providers worldwide — Global to Solo | BigLaw to NewLaw — on innovative strategies pertaining to business, markets, management, and clients.
The result is accelerated performance achieved through a distinctive one of one legal market position and sustained competitive advantage leading to greater market share, revenue, and profits.
The effect is accomplishment of the prime objective — To Win.
Reach her at +1.416.964.9607 or heathersuttie.ca.