In a move highlighting the increasing importance of training within legal technology, Chicago-based Harbor has completed the acquisition of Encoretech, a firm specializing in training and user adoption services within the legal sector. This acquisition is noteworthy as Harbor’s first since receiving significant backing from private equity firm BayPine in June, part of a broader strategy to deepen its capabilities across the technology adoption lifecycle. For further details, insights into Harbor’s strategies can be found in an interview with the CEO on LawNext.
Joining Harbor’s Legal Technology + Operations practice, Encoretech brings with it a team of about 80 professionals. These experts will bolster Harbor’s offerings by enabling law firms and corporate legal departments to enhance their technological proficiency through comprehensive training programs. This acquisition reflects a broader acknowledgment in the legal tech sector that effective technology adoption — extending beyond just acquiring new tools — is essential for successful digital transformation.
Encoretech’s unique Training-as-a-Service model provides a fully managed solution including new-hire onboarding, continuous education through live and on-demand training, content development, and learning management system integration. This model aligns with modern learning paradigms which favor ongoing, incremental learning over traditional, sporadic training sessions. Details of this acquisition and Harbor’s strategic objectives are discussed in more depth in the original announcement on LawNext.
The deal marks Harbor’s sixth acquisition since its formation in 2023 through a merger of several consulting firms, demonstrating Harbor’s aggressive growth trajectory. This strategy, as outlined by Harbor CEO Matt Sunderman, is intended to expand services that address the full spectrum of technology-related challenges faced by law firms, from strategic planning to long-term adoption and optimization. Through these acquisitions, Harbor aims to round out its capabilities across the “Advise/Implement/Manage” lifecycle, ensuring a comprehensive service offering to its clients.
Stacy Gittleman, CEO of Encoretech, expressed enthusiasm about joining forces, emphasizing the potential for scaling their impact on the legal sector’s approach to tech adoption. As the legal industry continues to transform with advancing technology and AI, the Harbor-Encoretech union positions them as a formidable player in guiding law firms and corporate legal departments through this evolution.