Meet Alasdair Sowerby – IT Consultant at Lights-On Consulting. Alasdair has an impressive track record in improving the IT management and function in law firms, as well as incident/crisis management, service management, process and service design and systems architecture. In this quickfire interview we get to know more about Alasdair, his role and his life outside of IT…
When did you join LOC and what is your role?
Nearly 5 years ago now, which has flown past. My role is to provide strategic legal technology advice to our clients. This is often in a fractional capacity, as an “IT Director as a Service” or in a number of more specialised ways; programme and project delivery, systems procurement and top to bottom reviews of IT service and function.
What does a typical day look like for you?
There isn’t really a typical day! Sometimes, I might be on a client site, doing interviews to recruit staff for them, or interviewing staff to find out what’s really going on with their IT systems and service. Or I may have some project or service meetings with IT staff or external suppliers, ensuring that the services are being delivered to the client’s requirements. I can sometimes be found looking at hardware and infrastructure configuration, or cybersecurity reports and information. I am often writing reports for clients, Executive Reviews, IT Strategies or even project meeting agendas or minutes, if they want me to assist and manage work at that level. On other occasions, I’ll be preparing presentations or business cases for new strategic initiatives or major decisions for the firm and then delivering that advice to the Board or Management team.
What types of IT projects do you enjoy most?
I really enjoy the Executive Reviews. It’s great learning about a new client organisation and working out what issues and challenges they are facing and being able to suggest approaches for them to deal with those successfully. It’s really rewarding to see and hear about effective improvements those businesses have made as a result of our advice.
How would you describe your approach to your work in 3-words?
Insightful, Pragmatic, Problem-solving
What’s the one IT challenge you wish more law firms took seriously?
Training and Adoption – some organisations have previously thought that buying some technology will solve a problem and didn’t appreciate that if you make that the start of the journey, they will get a far greater return on their investment.
What trend in Legal IT do you think firms need to keep a closer eye on?
Obviously AI; which is a little too easy an answer, as this is a disruptor to a sector that has previously been quite insulated from technological disruption. However, it’s important to approach this strategically and not just adopt AI for AI’s sake but seek out use cases to solve actual problems and ensure value is delivered, whilst mitigating risk.
In one sentence, what makes LOC different from other IT Consultants?
Quality output, driven from a place of knowledge, experience and insight and delivered with understanding, practicality and real effectiveness.
What motivates you?
Solving problems – I get a buzz from fixing things or making them better.
What’s on your music playlist / bookshelf / podcast library right now?
I’ve just discovered AJR and have been listening to the audiobook of Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer when I go for a walk.
If you weren’t in legal IT, what would your dream job be?
Snowboard instructor.
What is your favourite piece of technology or IT to use outside of work?
The Playstation. I am amazed at how computer gaming has developed since I was a child, but I have precious little time to play, so it’s mostly used by my kids.
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I coach grassroots football on Saturdays.
Tea, Coffee (or something stronger)?
Coffee all day. Primitivo or a single malt if it’s a social evening.