Actionstep: The Nine Percent
| Friday, September 11, 2026 |
| 9:40 AM - 9:50 AM |
| Wala Mirr Theatre |
Overview
Actionstep asked 400 people working inside Australian midsize firms one question: does your technology create friction in your daily work? Only nine percent said no.
This session unpacks that number, and the strategy problem hiding behind it. Firms have never been clearer on what wins client relationships, yet the data shows a profession measuring the wrong things, automating the wrong workflows first, and deploying AI faster than it can trust it.
The fix isn't another tool. It's rewinding to the workflows, the ownership, the systems, the foundations firms skipped while they were busy adding features. Capacity was never something you hire or buy. It's something you design, and it needs to be built around how your law firm wants to operate.
Key takeaways:
Why 91% of firm professionals say their own technology creates friction, and the gap between what firms measure and what they say matters
Why the real barrier to AI adoption in 2026 is no longer a skills gap, and what firms should fix before they accelerate
A 90-day, no-budget challenge to find your workflow leaks, name an owner for every stage, and put the right number on the dashboard
Speaker
Mr Zahn Nel
VP Australia and New Zealand
Actionstep
The Nine Percent
Biography
Zahn Nel is a seasoned professional in the legal technology space, currently fulfilling the role of Regional Vice President of Sales, Australia and New Zealand at Actionstep. With over 15 years of dedicated experience in legal technology, Zahn has become a trusted expert in providing true cloud-based technology solutions and innovation to law firms across the region.
During his decade-long stint in London, Zahn made significant contributions by working with firms on centralised bidding initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for professional service organisations with a global footprint. This experience gave him a deep understanding of how large, multi-jurisdictional firms approach technology procurement and vendor selection, insight he continues to draw on in his current role.
Prior to joining Actionstep, Zahn held a Director position at FilePro Legal Practice Management Software, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic direction and growth. His wealth of experience has made him a sought-after speaker, and Zahn regularly shares his insights on legal technology trends, cloud adoption, and practice management at conferences and seminars throughout the industry.
