The BTI Practice Outlook 2027

Higher Stakes. Higher Expectations. Higher Spending.

2027 offers more high-stakes work than any other time in the last 25 years. Here’s why:

  • 86% of clients are increasing spending and keeping spending at record levels
  • Clients with increased budgets making very BIG increases – more than 10% in most cases
  • 8 practices are showing the most acute need
  • Legal strategies can now enable or kill client’s business growth – driving super premium rates
  • In-house counsel are sending more of their budget to law firms as they advise CEOs on business issues

Corporate counsel are turning to outside counsel for the speed, foresight and strategic muscle they need to move fast and get it right.

Quickly and easily spot the heightened need, and premium rate opportunities, with one glance in the BTI Practice Outlook 2027: Higher Stakes. Higher Expectations. Higher Spending.

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The Single Most Popular (and Useful) Chart in the Legal Spending World

The Legal Spending Hot Spots

Our most popular and powerful chart to help target your business development – and one of the most in demand by law firms. We take our analysis one step further and give you:

  • Spending hot spots – that is the premium rate opportunities – for 18 industries and 15 practices – all in one easy to read matrix
  • All practice leaders and partners can see exactly where clients have the most acute need
  • Actively target clients in the industries with higher needs for access to increased spending and premium billing rates
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What's Happening in 2027?

86% of clients are increasing spending and keeping spending at record levels
High-stakes matters dominate spending and increased spending
Legal strategies can now enable or kill client’s business growth and revenue – driving super premium rates
In-house counsel are sending more of their budget to law firms as they advise CEOs on business issues
Clients with increased budgets making very BIG increases – more than 10% in most cases
Demand for capital is insatiable – creating demand for new financing structures and vehicles
8 practices are showing the most acute need
Spending on outside counsel will remain at elevated levels with emphasis on premium work

It’s a brave new world of
high-stakes, complex and unpredictable outcomes

This is the perfect storm for firms offering new and novel solutions –
and who understand the severity of client’s legal needs

Spotlights for 16 practices share the most up-to-date practice trends and how you can win the work, with:

Practice Drivers

Current trends and developments impacting the type of opportunities available.

Industry Opportunity Zone

For every major practice segment, BTI analyzes which client industries are expected to have increased needs and spending – and which are declining.

Market Size Trends

BTI has tracked the legal market for the past 25 years. Use this data to understand the potential revenue opportunities available in each practice – and how major changes have impacted your firm’s ability to be profitable.

BTI's Practice Spotlights

Deferred Billing Until January 2027

Order now and we can invoice your firm in January with your authorization. Don’t wait until others are in the market — order today!

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Methodology

BTI Practice Outlook 2027: Higher Stakes. Higher Expectations. Higher Spending. is based solely on in-depth telephone interviews with leading legal decision makers. This comprehensive analysis trends data from more than 30,000 corporate counsel client interviews conducted over the span of 25 years.

This research is independent and unbiased – no law firm or organization other than BTI sponsors this study.

Each year, BTI reaches out to a strategically designed group of top legal decision makers at large organizations with $1 billion or more in revenue. We target the decision makers in the industries who spend the most on legal affairs as well as thought leaders and innovative Chief Legal Officers. Our survey also includes Chief Legal Operating Officers and business executives who hire and influence the selection and hiring of law firms.

Participants are granted confidentiality at the individual and organizational level.

Executive Summary

BTI Practice Outlook 2027: Higher Stakes. Higher Expectations. Higher Spending. is your roadmap to where spending will grow, which practices command premium rates and which industries are set to generate the highest-value opportunities.

This report zeroes in on the hottest practices, biggest spending surges, and the business development strategies winning the work.

For a more in-depth look at the BTI Practice Outlook 2027, download a complimentary copy of the executive summary or reach out to BTI Consulting with any questions.

Flexible Billing Options

Pay for the report today with a credit card. No further payment required. You will receive a paid invoice receipt for your records.

Unlimited Telephone Support

Your copy of BTI Practice Outlook 2027 also includes unlimited telephone support. Call us to discuss any aspect of the market and this report — all included with your purchase.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

If the BTI Practice Outlook 2027 doesn’t meet your highest expectations, we will give you a full refund. No questions asked.

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Choose the option best-suited for your firm. Regardless of billing choice, you will receive your report immediately.

Join the more than 200 law firms relying on the BTI Practice Outlook 2027 as their definitive guide to the legal market.

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Pay for the report today with a credit card.
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Invoice my Firm

BTI will invoice your firm for the report.


Your firm will receive an invoice within 1 week of your order. This invoice is due within 30-days.

Deferred Billing

BTI will invoice your firm In January 2027.


Your firm can pay this invoice within 30 days, or you can settle this invoice with a credit card.

Payment Plan

BTI will invoice your firm in equal installments over a 4-month period.

You can begin the installments upon purchase, or in January 2027, at your option.