1. What inspired you to start Altlaw? What was your original mission, and how has it evolved over the years?
Altlaw was born from both professional insight and personal determination. My inspiration didn’t come from a boardroom or a textbook—it came from lived experience. I grew up in poverty, raised by a single mum in social housing, one of five children. From the age of 14, my bedroom was a tool shed in our back garden. I bought my first home at 18, only to lose it a year later. That was the first of three periods of homelessness I’ve faced.
But through it all, I kept showing up—hitchhiking to work when I had no money for transport, never letting my personal circumstances stop me from pushing forward. Starting Altlaw was about taking control of my future and building something better, not just for myself and my family, but for our clients and colleagues alike.
Our original mission was to offer an agile, service-led alternative to the rigid, expensive world of legal disclosure. Over the years, that mission has grown into a wider commitment to excellence in eDiscovery—blending people, process, and technology to help clients handle data challenges with clarity and confidence.
2. What do you think made your company stand out in the industry?
Altlaw stood out because we were hungry—for excellence, for innovation, for trust. We weren’t just trying to compete; we were trying to serve better. That hunger was shaped by our diverse backgrounds and became the foundation of our culture.
Our independence gave us the freedom to make fast, client-first decisions. We were never tied to a single platform or provider—we tailored our solutions based on what the client actually needed. And crucially, we invested in people. We built a fantastic team that was not just technically strong but deeply empathetic and genuinely committed to supporting our clients during high-pressure legal moments.
3. How has the legal/litigation support industry changed since you started?
The industry has truly transformed. When I started, disclosure was still largely manual, with firms printing reams of paper and conducting reviews with highlighters. Technology has since revolutionised how we manage data– bringing speed, accuracy, and scalability to the forefront.
But with that evolution has come complexity: global data privacy laws, multi-jurisdictional litigation, the explosion of digital communication formats, and now, the emergence of AI. Clients now need more than just a processing house—they need a strategic partner who understands technology, compliance, and how people actually work with data.
That shift played right into our strengths, as we’ve always viewed eDiscovery as a people-powered process supported by smart tech, not the other way around.
4. Where do you see the eDiscovery industry heading in the next 5 years?
The future of eDiscovery will be defined by automation, artificial intelligence, and integration. Generative AI is already beginning to reshape how we approach review, early case assessment, and even strategy development. But adoption will be tempered by the legal industry’s need for defensibility and trust – we all remember how long it took to adopt TAR!
We’ll also see more convergence between data governance, compliance, and litigation readiness. Clients will expect their providers to understand the full data lifecycle—from creation to retention to disclosure. The real winners will be those who can offer not just tools, but trust, transparency, and tailored expertise.
5. Tell us how you first became aware of Array, and how this acquisition came to take place.
I became aware of Array when one of the principals commented kindly on one of my video posts on LinkedIn back in 2019. After that, we stayed in touch and would meet at Legalweek in New York. After that, we got to know TTC – Thadd, Thad, and Chad and it was very clear that Array was growing fast and making waves. They were becoming a well-respected name in the US legal services market, and it was very clear that our companies and our people shared a genuine alignment and ethos: service-led, people-first, and quietly ambitious. We weren’t just talking about growth—we were talking about how we grow, and with whom. That alignment of vision and values laid the foundation for a deal that felt right for our clients, our team, and the future of Altlaw.
6. What impressed you about Array and excites you most about this next chapter as part of Array?
What impressed me most was their balance of scale and soul. Array has grown rapidly, but not at the expense of culture. They still care deeply about doing the right thing for clients— and for each other.
They’ve also made smart, intentional investments—in technology, infrastructure, and leadership. That kind of clarity and confidence is rare, and it certainly made me feel excited about what we could accomplish together.
For me, joining Array isn’t an exit—it’s ignition. It’s the next phase in a journey that is driven by a belief that with the right mindset and partners, there’s no limit to what’s possible.
7. What do you think is the Array Advantage– what sets Array apart in the legal support industry?
Array delivers with humility and precision. They don’t chase buzzwords—they focus on results. Their strength lies in being truly full-service, yet still personal. They offer national and now international coverage, yet clients and colleagues alike still feel heard, supported, and understood.
That’s the Array Advantage: scale, without ego. Expertise, without arrogance. And a genuine commitment to helping legal teams – and colleagues – do their best work under pressure.
8. What’s something your new colleagues at Array might be surprised to learn about you?
Well, for starters, I’m a beekeeper! It’s an oddly therapeutic hobby that keeps me grounded—literally. I love the harmony, order, and purpose that bees embody. They’re excellent teachers, and beekeeping has become a lifelong learning journey for me.
I’m also a private pilot, which is a passion that’s taught me a great deal about risk, planning, and staying calm under pressure. I suppose you could say those lessons have served me well in both life and business.
More than anything, both hobbies remind me where I’ve come from—and they’ve taught me to be genuinely grateful for every blessing life has given.
