In a significant move in the legal technology landscape, Al Tamimi & Company, a leading full-service Middle Eastern law firm, has transitioned from using iManage to Epona365. This change reflects a broader trend among law firms seeking closer alignment with Microsoft services.
Driving Factors
The decision to switch platforms was not taken lightly. According to Colin Short, Chief Information Officer at Al Tamimi, the firm aimed to leverage its existing Microsoft E5 licenses. “We started to ask if we could just take our data into Microsoft and use it there with all of the tools we already have,” Short stated. This shift intended to maximize return on investment and enhance data accessibility without incurring additional costs from third-party vendors.
Selection Process
The selection of a new matter management platform involved a comprehensive evaluation of various options, including Intapp, MacroView, and Epona, among others. “We narrowed it down and did an in-depth proof of concept on each of them,” Short explained. The process included rigorous testing by secretaries and lawyers, culminating in an assessment that led to the choice of Epona365.
Collaboration and Support
One of the key advantages of Epona365 is its direct support model. Unlike iManage, which requires dealing with third-party support, Epona offers direct collaboration. “If we say, ‘this functionality is not there and this is why we need it,’ they go, ‘oh, that’s a good idea’ and build it right into their product,” noted Short. This collaborative approach facilitates continuous improvement and customization, aligning closely with Al Tamimi’s needs.
Change Management and User Adaptation
Transitioning to Epona365 also involved managing changes in versioning protocols. “Microsoft and iManage versioning differ, and it was a bit of a change for our users,” Short remarked. However, Epona’s seamless integration with Windows has enhanced compliance and user familiarity, resulting in increased system adoption over time.
Scalability Challenges
Al Tamimi’s scale poses unique challenges for SharePoint, the underlying platform of Epona365. With 17 offices across 10 countries and around 1200 users, the firm is testing the scalability limits of SharePoint. “If I was working at a larger firm than us, I think I would be a lot more cautious,” Short confessed, citing file length constraints as a particular concern.
Risk and Reward
One potential risk of an all-in Microsoft approach is vulnerability to global outages, as experienced during a widespread service disruption in July. Despite this, Short believes the benefits outweigh the risks, citing cost savings, global accessibility, and integration with AI tools like Copilot as significant advantages.
Looking Ahead
As the legal tech landscape evolves, industry leaders like CMS’s CIO & CKO, John Craske, anticipate further developments. Innovations such as lawyer-builders, enhanced workflow creation, and the emergence of agentic AI are on the horizon. These trends underscore the ongoing transformation within the legal sector, driven by technological advancements and changing demands.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://legaltechnology.com/2025/12/22/aligning-with-microsoft-the-strategic-rationale-behind-al-tamimis-selection-of-epona/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.