Access Legal Appoints Emma de Sousa To Lead Its Next Evolution And Focus On Customer Value

Hitting the ground running, Emma will lead on accelerating Access Legal’s product roadmap to build on its already wide set of solutions for law firms, including the next phase of Access Workspace for Legal, which launched in 2022. The digital solution which tackles one of the biggest pain points legal firms face of having multiple fragmented systems is designed to empower legal professionals to become more productive by consolidating people, data and systems into one single, accessible view. 

Emma brings a wealth of experience having helped companies leverage technology to drive modernisation and increase profitability. Having previously spent more than 19 years in senior management roles and most recently EMEA president at Insight she brings a breadth of knowledge. She has extensive management experience in the information and technology industries, leading cloud and digital transformation projects that help customers achieve their business ambitions.

Her appointment follows the retirement of former managing director Doug Sawers, who has spent more than 40 years in business and almost three years at Access Legal.  She has been pivotal to the establishment and success of Access Legal having led the division since 2020 and through the acquisitions of Eclipse and DPS Software and then subsequently Select Legal, Oosha and Legal Bricks, and the launch of Access Workspace for Legal.

Speaking on her new position as managing director, Emma de Sousa said; “I’m here to make a real impact. I am passionate about ensuring we meet our customers’ evolving needs and deliver the outcomes that they require to run a successful law firm. Our growth is ultimately driven by our customers’ success.

“This year is going to be a challenge for law firms of all sizes against the backdrop of a struggling economy and a cost-of-living crisis that will put a squeeze on their clients' pockets. Yet the focus for firms remains largely unchanged - profitability, recruitment and talent retention, compliance and security are still their priorities – all of which underpin the purpose of our solutions for firms.

“My early observations indicate we have a winning formula; a team with deep knowledge and experience in technology and the legal sector, unrivalled breadth of products and services and a remarkable passion to support our customers reach their goals. I look forward to leading this impressive team to bring yet more success for law firms in the UK and beyond.”