In Winning hearts and changing minds: Resource management through a legal lens, host Christine Robinson sits down with Lauren Davison, Senior Resource Manager at a UK law firm, to explore how the resource management profession is emerging in the legal sector.
Drawing on her experience at MHA and EY, Lauren discusses the transition from the structure and maturity of the Big Four to a sector where resource management is still finding its feet – and where wellbeing is driving the agenda.
Tune in to hear the full conversation or read some of the key talking points below.
"It's a little bit like taking a step back in time.”
Christine and Lauren explore how resource management is evolving across the legal sector, an area seeing rapid growth, investment, and rising recognition of both the profession and its business value.
Lauren offers a behind-the-scenes view of this evolution, drawing comparisons with the maturity and established processes she experienced in the Big Four. In legal, the function is newer, less defined, and still finding its identity – but that also makes it an exciting space for change and progress.
“Resource management in the legal world is still so new, it's in its infancy. Right now, it's an unknown – but an exciting unknown – and the driver for it is definitely the wellbeing piece of resource management and the pastoral care and the DEI aspect of what we do. It's not being driven solely by commercial goals.” - Lauren Davison
Lauren explains how firms in the legal sector are beginning to recognize the value of resource management – both as a competitive advantage and as a way to better support their people.
“In that sense, it's a little bit like taking a backward step in time – going from something that is well embedded and a function that is in its own right working with the business to something now that's in its infancy. It's really interesting to see how firms really want to embrace resource management now as a way to make the right changes to be more competitive and retain talent – and make those changes to benefit the people they employ." - Lauren Davison
“The elevator pitch for resource management remains the same.”
Christine and Lauren discuss how, despite sector differences, the core principles of resource management stay constant. It’s still about getting the right people, in the right place, at the right time, with the right skills.
"The principles of resource management stay the same, but how the business applies it and how they work – the processes, the structure – is so different, so you learn so much on the job.
No matter the sector, it's about going into businesses to create efficiencies and better ways of working, helping people with their career ambitions, and aligning the strategic goals of the company with keeping people in mind at the forefront – having someone who can hold the business accountable for that and being a real business partner." - Lauren Davison
“It's not just implementing process – it's about winning hearts and minds.”
As recognition of resource management in the legal sector grows, Lauren reflects on what it takes to turn intent into impact. She highlights that one of the most important factors in successful resource management is change management. Introducing new ways of working, she explains, is as much about people as process – it relies on engagement, trust, and the ability to bring people with you through change.
“Moving into a different sector has definitely challenged what I know about resource management and how to apply it in a different context. You are the advocate for resource management – it’s not just implementing new ways of working, it’s about winning the hearts and minds.
It’s so important that you understand the work and that teams trust you. A lot of it is about engaging with stakeholders at every level so they can start to see how resource management can help their day job become a little bit easier too. It’s about managing that change with the business and allowing them to see that you’re there to work with them, not against them.” - Lauren Davison
“A people-focused business and resource management go hand in hand."
Lauren reflects that while the principles of resource management stay consistent across industries, its success ultimately depends on people – the ones leading change, adapting to it, and delivering value through it. In the legal world, where the function is still taking shape, that people-first mindset is creating a new opportunity to connect wellbeing with business goals – and to show how resource management can serve both.
It’s this dual focus – on people and performance – that’s helping resource management gain recognition in new industries as both a human and business enabler.
Catch the full episode for more insights and reflections from Lauren on how the legal sector is shaping its own future of resource management.
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