DLA Piper says BigHand resource tool saved more than 600 hours

DLA Piper says BigHand Resource Management helped the firm save more than 600 hours and about £673,000 in value by half-year end across its UK and Australian offices. The result highlights how large law firms are using centralized resourcing data to improve allocation, visibility and career development.

Why it matters: - DLA Piper’s results show the business case for moving legal resourcing from a relationship-driven process to a data-backed operating model. - The firm says better allocation, utilization and visibility can improve lawyer wellbeing, retention and workload balance. - The experience also reflects pressure on law firms to prove value while adapting to AI’s impact on legal work.

What happened: - DLA Piper reported saving more than 600 hours after implementing BigHand Resource Management across its UK and Australian offices. - The firm says the time saved was worth about £673,000 at half-year end. - DLA Piper used the platform to build a centralized view of lawyer skills, experience, availability and future demand.

The details: - Before the rollout, DLA Piper allocated work largely through day-to-day relationships and partner visibility across teams. - The firm said that approach became harder to manage as it grew, especially with lateral hires and lawyers working across multiple offices. - BigHand Resource Management includes a Skills & Sectors Matrix to match lawyers with relevant experience and qualifications. - The platform also includes an Opportunities Board to link assignments with development goals. - Forecasting tools help DLA Piper assess future demand and workload distribution. - DLA Piper says the system has streamlined KPIs tied to work distribution and matching opportunities with career aspirations. - The firm says reliable data helps it make informed decisions and present clearer information to stakeholders.

Between the lines: - BigHand’s latest report, Navigating the Million Dollar Problem, found associate departures nearly doubled from 9% in 2024 to 16% in 2025. - The report said 45% of firms have only partial visibility into associate skill sets. - The report also found 43% of resourcing decisions remain lawyer-led. - BigHand says those trends show many firms still lack the visibility needed to match skills, capacity and demand effectively. - BigHand’s leadership framed DLA Piper’s results as evidence that resource management becomes more effective when it is supported by data and experienced resource managers.

What’s next: - DLA Piper will continue using BigHand Resource Management to support allocation, forecasting and development decisions. - BigHand is directing firms to the full DLA Piper case study and its Resource Management Value Calculator to estimate potential impact within their own organizations. - The company will continue marketing the platform to law firms looking to improve profitability and client value across the matter lifecycle.

The bottom line: - DLA Piper says centralized resourcing data can save time, reduce friction in work allocation and turn lawyer staffing into a measurable business lever. - More information is available in the full DLA Piper case study and through BigHand’s Resource Management Value Calculator.