The ELM Amplify 2025 user conference opened today in Orlando, Florida, with a powerful keynote from Raja Sengupta, General Manager of Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions, setting the tone for a few days that will redefine what is possible in legal operations. For those who couldn’t attend – or for attendees who want to revisit the message – we’ve captured the key themes of Raja’s speech and the vision he shared for the future of legal ops.
Vision meets execution
This year’s conference theme, Empowering Possibilities, is more than a slogan. It reflects a pivotal moment in legal operations, where the convergence of technology, strategy, and vision is creating unprecedented opportunities. Raja emphasized that this isn’t just about imagining the future—it’s about shaping it. In a time of rapid change, especially with the rise of AI, legal departments are being called to move from reactive to proactive, from operationally focused to strategic advisors.
Raja encouraged attendees to “walk the park” of their own legal or claims departments, borrowing a metaphor from Walt Disney’s approach to continual improvement. Just as Disney personally walked through Disneyland to identify areas for enhancement, legal operations professionals are urged to observe their own environments with fresh eyes. Where are the inefficiencies? What manual processes slow strategic progress? These observations form the foundation for a vision that can guide meaningful transformation.
Drawing inspiration from Disney’s “House of the Future,” Raja reminded us that the most impactful innovations often start with bold imagination. But imagination alone isn’t enough; execution is key. Legal departments must not only envision what’s possible but also take concrete steps to realize that vision. This is how legal ops earns its seat at the strategic table and contributes meaningfully once there.
Technology as a catalyst for change
The keynote focused on the role of technology, particularly Agentic AI, in driving the future of legal operations. Raja described the concept of Agentic AI: autonomous systems capable of perceiving, reasoning, and acting without constant human intervention. He and ELM Solutions Head of Product Brian Jorgenson went on to talk about how these AI agents are poised to revolutionize legal workflows in several areas:
- Law Firm Rate Negotiation: AI-led negotiations using proprietary billing data
- Matter Management: Automating creation, updates, and closure of matters
- System Administration: Streamlining onboarding, billing rule modifications, and other routine tasks
- Report Creation: Transforming complex data into executive-ready insights
These innovations are not distant dreams—they’re actively being developed and deployed by ELM Solutions today. The company is investing in other currently available technologies in addition to AI, including enhanced analytics for deeper transparency, collaboration tools to strengthen firm relationships, and robust matter management platforms.
Optimism for what lies ahead
In a compelling twist, Raja flipped the theme to highlight that possibilities empower. While AI can be intimidating, its true potential lies in its ability to free up bandwidth, allowing legal teams to focus on high-impact, strategic initiatives. Raja shared his own journey of embracing AI, noting that what once felt uncertain now feels empowering. The key is responsible adoption, leveraging AI not for its novelty, but for its ability to deliver real value.
Raja closed his keynote with a message of optimism. The next few days at Amplify are not just about learning. They’re about envisioning and executing. He encouraged attendees to take quiet moments to reflect, to engage deeply in conversations, and to leave with actionable insights. The future of legal operations is bright, and ELM Solutions is committed to being a trusted partner in helping legal teams seize the possibilities ahead.
