Co-authored by Suzanne Donnels, SDC and Mark Howe, Head of Business Development and Client Relations at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP

Featured in Centrum, The Journal of the PSMG Magazine, London.

As artificial intelligence becomes a standard tool across the legal industry, the real competitive advantage is no longer access to information—it is the ability to turn information into trust. Suzanne Donnels and Mark Howe argue that while AI can summarize data, identify patterns, and generate strategic insights, emotional intelligence (EI) is what transforms those insights into meaningful action. The firms that thrive will be those that combine AI's analytical power with human qualities such as empathy, judgment, curiosity, and relationship-building.

Chambers rankings are widely recognized as a benchmark for Canadian law firms, but earning a top spot involves more than submitting polished materials. The client referee process is frequently underestimated and treated as a routine task completed at the last minute, rather than as a strategic priority. Client referees, which refers to the clients and peers who provide feedback to Chambers researchers, play a decisive role in your ranking and often make up most of the evaluation criteria. Firms that approach referee engagement thoughtfully and proactively are positioned to achieve stronger results in the Chambers assessment.