Why IT Infrastructure Should Be Part of Your Succession Plan

Leadership transitions are a critical moment for any law firm. Whether it’s a retiring managing partner, a new CIO, or a shift in financial leadership, change at the top impacts every area of the firm, including your IT infrastructure.

But while most succession plans focus on people, client relationships, and financial strategy, the systems and platforms that keep the firm running are often left out. Without a clear plan for managing infrastructure during leadership transitions, firms open themselves up to unnecessary disruption, delays, and rework.

Infrastructure Decisions Hold Institutional Knowledge

Your IT systems reflect years of planning and decision-making. They represent the firm’s approach to security, compliance, technology standards, vendor relationships, and operational workflows. In many cases, key infrastructure decisions have been managed by one person or one department, with limited documentation or long-term visibility.

When that person leaves or transitions out, the strategic thinking behind past leasing decisions, refresh cycles, or vendor agreements may leave with them. That creates risk, especially if the incoming leadership has different goals or limited context.

The Risks of Leaving IT Out of Succession Planning

When IT infrastructure is not part of the succession conversation, problems often surface quickly. Lease terms may lapse or be auto-renewed without review. Critical upgrades may be delayed because approvals are unclear or project knowledge has been lost. New leaders may not have the information they need to assess which systems are performing well and which should be replaced.

This confusion can lead to unnecessary purchases, poor timing on refreshes, and missed opportunities to optimize the firm’s investment in technology. In the legal world, where uptime and data protection are essential, even small delays can impact client service and profitability.

A Better Approach: Plan Ahead

Firms that successfully navigate leadership changes build infrastructure into the broader transition strategy. That means documenting current leasing terms, understanding the performance and remaining life of critical equipment, and aligning refresh plans with broader firm goals.

Leadership should be aware of any upcoming technology transitions, major vendor relationships, or areas where the current system is under review. By building this visibility into the succession plan, new decision-makers can step in confidently, avoid duplication or delays, and continue moving the firm forward without disruption.

Planning Protects Profitability

Infrastructure decisions are tightly connected to financial performance. When lease renewals are missed or refreshes are delayed, firms may end up with outdated technology, higher maintenance costs, and frustrated attorneys. This affects not only the bottom line but also the experience of those delivering legal services every day.

By including infrastructure in succession planning, firms avoid last-minute scrambling and instead create a thoughtful roadmap that protects long-term financial and operational health.

How CoreTech Can Help

CoreTech helps law firms document, plan, and structure their leasing programs in ways that support both current operations and future leadership transitions. Whether you're preparing for a CIO retirement, shifting financial leadership, or reviewing your infrastructure strategy, we help ensure your systems remain aligned, visible, and ready for what's next.

Contact CoreTech Leasing at info@coretechleasing.com to build infrastructure continuity into your firm’s succession planning.