Chad Essick, Managing Partner, Poyner Spruill LLP

In an interview with Invest:, Chad Essick, managing partner of Poyner Spruill LLP, discussed the evolving role of artificial intelligence in legal services, development trends across the Triangle, and the firm’s approach to strategic growth. “Our work in real estate development and other business matters gives us unique insight into both sides of the equation. We help private-sector clients identify and act on new development and investment opportunities, while also helping public-sector clients navigate the changing regulatory environment and the opportunities available to partner with the business community,” Essick said.

What changes over the past year have had the greatest impact on your firm and the businesses it serves across North Carolina?

Generative artificial intelligence and the broader AI dynamic have made us think differently about how we approach our services to clients, how we handle our internal workflow, and how we determine the next chapter for the firm. That is not unique to the legal space or to law firms, but it has been a major focus for our organization over the last year.

The technology continues to develop and change rapidly, so we are working to determine how we will embrace it, roll it out, and make sure we use it in an ethical and responsible way. We recognize that AI can create meaningful efficiencies, but we also have to be thoughtful about how it is incorporated into our workflow and how it impacts the clients we serve.

How is technology changing the legal questions businesses must address, particularly around cybersecurity and responsible AI use?

There are two primary parts to that discussion. The first is data security and data privacy. As a law firm, we hold a significant amount of sensitive client data. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, we are making substantial investments in security and in training our employees to recognize and avoid potential threats or cyberattacks.

The second part is understanding that AI can be an extremely important tool in serving our clients and delivering the best work product possible. We are embracing technology, but we are also cognizant of the challenges it poses, not only for us but, more importantly, for our clients. Finding that balance between innovation, security, and responsible use is essential.

What are you seeing in the commercial real estate development market, and what does it indicate about confidence in the Triangle?

The Triangle is in a unique position, with continued and ongoing investment across virtually all sectors. Life sciences has been a major area of investment in Raleigh, Durham, and the broader Triangle, and I believe that will continue. We are also seeing continued strength in multifamily housing and industrial development.

The office sector is still finding its way post-COVID, but what I am seeing and hearing from the experts in our market is that vacancy in Class A office space is fairly limited. At some point, there is going to be a pinch where the market needs additional office product.

That is something the region needs to be thinking about now because there is considerable lead time involved for entitlement and development. If demand tightens further, the market cannot respond immediately, so planning will be important.

What legislative or regulatory developments are you helping real estate clients navigate?

There is a great deal happening at the state level related to property taxes and changes to land-use regulations. Many of the recent changes are beneficial to developers and landowners in North Carolina, so we have been closely following those developments and making sure our clients understand the opportunities they present.

We also represent local governments, which means we must advise them on the restrictions and challenges they may face as policy continues to change at the state level and what tools they have to respond to those policy changes. Our work gives us insight into both sides of the equation. We help private-sector clients understand new opportunities, while also helping public-sector clients navigate the limitations and responsibilities created by the changing regulatory environment.

What role do public-private partnerships play in successful development across the Triangle?

A significant amount of the work we do involves public-private partnerships. Developments that emerge from public-private partnerships and are handled thoughtfully, with open dialogue between private and public entities, are often among the most successful projects in the Triangle.

When those relationships work well, each side understands the other’s needs, responsibilities, and constraints. That collaboration can help move projects forward in a way that creates long-term value for the development, the local government, and the surrounding community.

I encourage local governments and private developers to sit together at the table and identify opportunities to work collaboratively, especially in the new regulatory environment in which we find ourselves. Open and candid communication and a willingness to build a shared vision are critical to producing successful outcomes.

What skills will legal professionals need to help clients navigate the next generation of business challenges?

Legal professionals, whether they are legal assistants, paralegals, or attorneys, will need to be extremely proficient in the use of AI and other technologies that allow them to have a more modern and versatile skill set. Whenever we are hiring now, we consider the technological skill set a candidate brings to the organization.

The skills required of a legal professional 30 years ago, or even 10 years ago, are different from those required today. It is no longer enough to understand traditional programs such as Word and Excel. There is now a broad range of platforms available, whether they are AI-based or otherwise, and having experience across those tools is extremely attractive to an employer.

We are also focused on upskilling people who are entering this new technological era later in their careers. Those professionals still have a great deal to contribute to the organization, but they may not yet have the same level of comfort with newer tools. We are providing internal training so they have the opportunity to acquire those skills if they choose to embrace them.

What opportunities do you see for Poyner Spruill over the next several years?

We have historically been a North Carolina-based firm, with around 100 lawyers across four offices, so we cover the state well. As we look ahead, we are being extremely strategic about how we grow.

We are not a firm that believes it needs to grow simply because having more people is better. We want to grow in the places that we’re really good at, or in the places where we see we have some gaps and we want to try and fill them, while maintaining what I think distinguishes our firm.

That distinguishing factor is our culture and our people. We have a strong culture centered on the whole person, the individual, and work-life balance. We want people to genuinely enjoy working with one another and being around one another.

Growth is important, and being strategic about growth is important. We see key opportunities in all of our practice areas. However, we do not want that growth to dilute the culture we have created. Preserving that environment will remain a priority as the firm expands and grows.

What opportunities do you see for North Carolina’s economy over the next several years?

I think the sky’s the limit for North Carolina across many different sectors. Life sciences is an obvious opportunity, and the educational institutions and universities we have make the state extremely attractive to businesses because they can find the workforce they need.

The cost of living is still fairly good, the weather is excellent most of the time, and the state offers access to a host of recreational opportunities from the coast to the mountains. A lot of different factors come together here. I do not think there is only one sector in which North Carolina can grow or excel. The opportunity extends across a wide range of industries.

I have interviewed several candidates recently and asked what brought them to North Carolina. Some have said they read so much about how attractive the state was for young people that they decided to move here, even before finding a job. Some were looking for warmer weather and more trees, while others saw North Carolina as a place that offered greater opportunity for themselves and their family. It is encouraging when people are willing to relocate based on their confidence in what the state can provide.