In The News
Practice Leader Insights From MoFo's Ben Summerfield
Law360
19 Oct 2026
Keep up with the latest legal and industry insights, news, and events from MoFo
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
In an article published by Law360’s Practice Leader Insights series, Ben Summerfield provided comments and insights on his experiences that has shaped his career in law so far, while also providing insights on legal trends and his approach to leadership.
When asked about experiences that have shaped his approach to leadership, he noted:
“Several people have shaped my approach in some way, whether through their judgement, resilience, generosity, commercial instinct or ability to bring people with them.” Ben continued, “I try to bring my whole and authentic self to work, and to create an environment where others feel able to do the same. I have always valued sincerity and honesty from senior leaders, so I try to offer that in return. And I aim to be approachable and compassionate.”
When considering current developments shaping his practice, Ben commented:
“We are living through the artificial intelligence age, and the willingness of lawyers and law firms to embrace the power of AI is becoming increasingly significant. Used well, it has the potential to improve how we work internally and to deliver tangible benefits for clients…The most powerful proposition for clients is not AI on its own, but lawyers who combine excellent judgment with a sophisticated understanding of what AI can and cannot do.”
Asked about his advice for junior lawyers, Ben recommended an approach that combines both legal and technical excellence, with strong client relationship skills:
“There is a real opportunity for those starting their careers to immerse themselves in tools and platforms that simply were not available when I was in their shoes…But my advice would also be not to lose sight of what this profession is ultimately about. Law is a client-focused industry and, at its heart, a relationship business. Strong client relationships are built on trust, judgment and human connection. Technology can make us more efficient and better informed, but it cannot replace the value of face-to-face interaction, personal credibility and the ability to build a network over time.”
Read the full article. In an article published by Law360’s Practice Leader Insights series, Ben Summerfield provided comments and insights on his experiences that has shaped his career in law so far, while also providing insights on legal trends and his approach to leadership.
When asked about experiences that have shaped his approach to leadership, he noted:
“Several people have shaped my approach in some way, whether through their judgement, resilience, generosity, commercial instinct or ability to bring people with them.” Ben continued, “I try to bring my whole and authentic self to work, and to create an environment where others feel able to do the same. I have always valued sincerity and honesty from senior leaders, so I try to offer that in return. And I aim to be approachable and compassionate.”
When considering current developments shaping his practice, Ben commented:
“We are living through the artificial intelligence age, and the willingness of lawyers and law firms to embrace the power of AI is becoming increasingly significant. Used well, it has the potential to improve how we work internally and to deliver tangible benefits for clients…The most powerful proposition for clients is not AI on its own, but lawyers who combine excellent judgment with a sophisticated understanding of what AI can and cannot do.”
Asked about his advice for junior lawyers, Ben recommended an approach that combines both legal and technical excellence, with strong client relationship skills:
“There is a real opportunity for those starting their careers to immerse themselves in tools and platforms that simply were not available when I was in their shoes…But my advice would also be not to lose sight of what this profession is ultimately about. Law is a client-focused industry and, at its heart, a relationship business. Strong client relationships are built on trust, judgment and human connection. Technology can make us more efficient and better informed, but it cannot replace the value of face-to-face interaction, personal credibility and the ability to build a network over time.”
Read the full article.
