William Munck, Founding Partner, Munck Wilson Mandala
AI is going to have a profound impact on the legal industry going forward. “With AI, you’re able to produce work product from what would be the level of a third- or fourth-year associate. What used to take them days and hard work can now be done in moments by a computer,” William A. Munck, founding partner at Munck Wilson Mandala, told Invest. He went on to discuss industry trends, developing talent, current challenges and top priorities moving forward.
What is your overview of Munck Wilson Mandala?
Munck Wilson Mandala stands out as a dynamic, technology-focused law firm with deep roots in the Dallas legal community. Over the last 26 years, the firm has grown from its original downtown Dallas base to include a dedicated North Texas office and a new Uptown Dallas headquarters, reflecting both its longstanding commitment to serving the DFW market and its forward-looking growth strategy. Known particularly for its intellectual property and litigation work, the firm also provides robust counsel in corporate/securities law, labor and employment, and real estate. With a client roster spanning emerging technology startups to established Fortune 50 companies, MWM has garnered industry recognition for its ability to handle complex, high-stakes matters. This blend of specialized expertise, local market knowledge, and national reach underpins Munck Wilson Mandala’s reputation as a go-to legal partner for innovation-driven businesses.
What trends are you seeing in the legal market, or that the firm is planning to leverage?
The legal market is experiencing heightened cost-consciousness, with clients increasingly requesting alternative fee arrangements and showing a willingness to shop around for leaner, more efficient legal services.
Firms that can match “big law” capabilities without the associated overhead are well-positioned to thrive in this environment. As companies continue to reduce legal spending, law firms are being challenged to remain agile, leverage technology, and deepen their expertise.
Munck Wilson Mandala recognizes these shifts and has embraced them by focusing on smart growth, strategic office locations, and the development of specialized teams—particularly in intellectual property and litigation. These strengths allow the firm to meet complex client demands while operating with a lower, more client-friendly cost structure.
At the forefront of these developments is the rapid emergence of AI-driven solutions and advanced legal tech. Munck Wilson Mandala has been using AI for decades, placing the firm ahead of the curve as AI moves further into mainstream business and legal functions. By harnessing machine learning tools and predictive analytics, the firm is able to streamline large-scale document review, accelerate research, and develop sophisticated litigation strategies.
This technology advantage not only enhances efficiency but also supports Munck Wilson Mandala’s reputation for delivering high-stakes results — even against significantly larger legal teams — while keeping costs down for clients. As AI continues to evolve, Munck Wilson Mandala’s established expertise in this area ensures the firm will stay competitive, delivering premier service and value in a constantly shifting legal marketplace.
How do you see the future of your industry?
The future of the legal industry will likely be driven by a more streamlined structure, propelled by AI’s ability to handle complex tasks that previously required teams of junior associates. The traditional pyramid model, where a handful of senior lawyers supervise large numbers of junior staff, could flatten into a more diamond-shaped or even a smaller, leaner team, where technology augments high-level strategists and specialized experts.
This structural realignment will allow law firms to operate with a lower overall headcount but maintain or even increase the sophistication of their work product. Firms that proactively invest in AI tools and training will not only enhance productivity but also gain competitive advantages in price, speed, and innovation.
Such a transformation parallels what the accounting industry experienced when computerized tools consolidated or replaced routine tasks. For the legal sector, AI solutions will continue to expand in capability, moving beyond rudimentary document review and e-discovery to automated drafting, contract analysis, and predictive litigation analytics.
While junior associates will still play a vital role in learning and implementing these tools, their work may shift toward higher-level tasks earlier in their careers, focusing on strategic thinking and nuanced legal judgment. In effect, legal professionals will be able to deliver sophisticated services faster and at a more competitive cost, elevating the value proposition offered to clients and reshaping the legal market for years to come.
How are you developing the talent to adapt to new trends?
Munck Wilson Mandala is actively integrating AI and machine learning into its practice by training all employees—from attorneys to support staff—to use and become comfortable with new and emerging tools. Leveraging the firsthand experience of partners who have backgrounds in software design and machine learning, the firm develops in-house expertise that goes well beyond simply using off-the-shelf products. This includes honing skills specific to the patent side, incorporating generative AI responsibly, and instilling a forward-thinking mindset that not only delivers immediate value to clients but also positions the firm’s legal talent at the forefront of future industry innovations.
What are the challenges for the wider legal sector?
A major challenge facing the broader legal sector is that the traditional billable hour structure is being reevaluated and replaced with alternative fee and bundled service models. Firms must adapt to more predictable cost structures while still maintaining their profitability and high-quality work. Technological advancements, such as AI-driven automation, place additional pressure on firms to become more efficient, as clients expect both cost savings and top-tier legal counsel.
Balancing these dynamics—by adopting new pricing strategies, investing in cutting-edge tools, and recalibrating staffing models—will define which firms remain competitive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
What are your top priorities for the firm over the next two to three years?
Munck Wilson Mandala’s top priorities over the next two to three years center on enhancing efficiency through strategic technology adoption, ensuring flexible and well-equipped work environments, and maintaining a rigorous focus on cybersecurity and data protection—both for clients and the firm’s own operations. Alongside these efforts, the firm will continue refining alternative fee arrangements to meet clients’ changing cost expectations. At the same time, robust talent development and collaboration across offices remain essential, enabling the firm to adapt to shifting market dynamics while consistently delivering high-quality legal services.
