The Silent Budget Killer: How Unstructured IT Leasing Impacts Profitability

Law firm leaders know the obvious risks to profitability, slowed collections, underperforming practice groups, and rising overhead. Many firms overlook a quieter threat hiding in plain sight: unstructured IT leasing.

When equipment leases are managed department by department, or vendor by vendor, the result is more than just administrative complexity. It leads to budget surprises, cash flow disruption, and refresh cycles that are out of sync with actual firm needs. Over time, that lack of structure can erode profit margins and stall operational improvements.

The Hidden Cost of Fragmented Leasing

Firms that don’t have a coordinated leasing strategy often experience:

• Inconsistent payment schedules that strain monthly forecasting

• Overlapping or expired contracts across offices and practice areas

• Missed upgrade windows due to lack of visibility

• Hidden fees and penalties tied to vendor-controlled lease terms

• Increased internal lift for IT and procurement teams trying to manage everything manually

These challenges don’t always show up as line-item losses, but they create real friction across the firm. Over time, that friction affects cash flow, productivity, and partner distributions.

Case Study: AmLaw 100 Firm Streamlines Laptop Leasing Across Locations

One large law firm partnered with CoreTech to overhaul its laptop lease program. Previously, the firm had multiple lease agreements in place across its offices, with different end dates, terms, and responsibilities. This made budgeting difficult and resulted in inconsistent performance among attorneys.

CoreTech worked with the firm to develop eight different leasing scenarios, ultimately designing a co-terminous lease structure that aligned end-of-term schedules and streamlined equipment management. The result:

• A smoother refresh cycle across offices

• Consistent equipment performance for attorneys and staff

• Better forecasting and fewer billing surprises

• Reduced internal lift for IT and procurement

The firm didn’t just fix a tech problem; they fixed a budget and operational one.

Why Structured Leasing Matters More Than Ever

As law firms continue investing in hybrid infrastructure, cloud platforms, and modern workflows, equipment needs are changing faster. Without a structured leasing strategy, it’s nearly impossible to stay ahead of those shifts.

A coordinated approach creates:

• Visibility across all equipment and lease terms

• Predictable payment schedules

• Fewer vendor relationships to manage

• Easier upgrades and planning

• Less disruption when teams expand, relocate, or refresh devices

Structured leasing turns a liability into an asset, one that supports profitability instead of undercutting it.

How CoreTech Can Help

CoreTech helps law firms move from fragmented leasing to structured, firmwide programs. We coordinate vendors, align terms, and give your team full visibility through Core C.A.R.E., so you can manage equipment smarter and preserve profit margins long term.

Contact CoreTech Leasing at info@coretechleasing.com to get started with a leasing strategy that supports your bottom line.