When Estonia regained independence in the early 1990s, most people saw political and economic instability. But Aku Sorainen saw something else, an opportunity. Where others hesitated, he acted, founding a law firm that would grow across borders and become one of the most respected in the Baltic region.
This is not just a story about ambition. It’s a story about an organisation. Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it happens when structure and systems meet vision.
And in today’s legal world, that structure is increasingly built on legal practice management software.
From Vision to Execution: What Growth Really Demands
Let’s face it, starting or scaling a law firm is never easy. Complexity grows fast, whether you’re entering new markets, onboarding team members, or simply trying to meet growing client demands.
It’s not enough to be strategic. True success also requires operational sharpness, being organised, efficient, and consistent. That’s where technology plays a quiet but critical role.
Aku Sorainen understood this early. If he wanted to build something special, something that would last, he couldn’t rely on intuition alone — he needed structure. He knew that growing a world-class law firm required a solid digital backbone to manage:
- Client relationships and contacts
- Matter management and deadlines
- Tasks and team collaboration
- Document workflows and communication
- Time tracking and billing
- Data security and compliance
It’s never been about replacing lawyers — it’s about empowering them with systems that let them focus on what they do best: solving complex legal problems.
Crespect wasn’t founded to build just another legal CRM. It was founded with a bigger idea:
“Let’s create the most modern, profitable, and well-organised legal practice in the world, and then build the tools to support it.”
The Rise of Legal Practice Management Tools
Over the last decade, legal software has evolved rapidly. What used to be a collection of disconnected tools (like spreadsheets, calendar apps, and shared folders) is now streamlined into integrated practice management platforms.
Some of the most helpful features include:
- Legal CRM
Helps firms track client communication, manage potential opportunities, and stay connected long-term.
- Task and Calendar Management
Keeps deadlines visible to everyone involved, reducing risk of errors or missed court dates.
- Time Tracking and Reporting
Makes billing easier, especially when combined with automation and smart tagging.
- Permissions and Secure Access
Ensures the right people see the right information — critical for remote and hybrid work setups.
These aren’t “nice-to-haves” anymore. For growing firms, it’s become the minimum operating standard.
What Sorainen’s Story Teaches Us About Legal Infrastructure
In a sense, Aku Sorainen’s decision to start his firm during a chaotic time mirrors the challenge many law firm leaders face today: how to grow amid uncertainty.
He had a clear long-term vision, but he also had to build trust, organise teams, and deliver consistent client value across multiple countries.
While the tools back then were different, the principle holds true: vision needs structure.
For today’s legal professionals, that structure can be built with the help of intelligent, well-designed systems that take care of the operational complexity, so lawyers can focus on clients, strategy, and growth.
Thinking Ahead: Systems Build Resilience
Every law firm experiences some form of chaos: a busy season, a regulatory change, a staff transition, a spike in demand. What separates those who survive from those who thrive is often preparation.
Instead of reacting, visionary firms build resilience by investing early in:
- Documented workflows
- Clear client management processes
- Centralised task tracking
- Collaborative tools
- Scalable billing and reporting practices
Even small improvements in these areas can compound quickly over time, freeing up resources, reducing stress, and creating a healthier working culture.
In Summary: Tools Don’t Replace Vision, They Empower It
Sorainen’s story reminds us that timing, leadership, and clarity can create something remarkable, even in a storm. But it also reminds us that behind every ambitious firm is a foundation.
Today, that foundation is often digital.
Legal practice management software isn’t just about convenience — it’s about enabling modern law firms to deliver quality consistently, even as they grow and evolve.
And that’s a story worth paying attention to.
If you are lucky to know Finnish language, we invite you to read more about the origins of not only Sorainen but also Crespect in the Kauppalehti.fi article here.
