Most Disruptive Industry Trends 2025: Global Women Leaders Speak

Legal leader Geetha Kandiah, CEO, KASS International (KL, Malaysia) believes that technology adoption was the most impactful trend in 2025.

“One of the most impactful trends has been the rapid adoption of technology and AI across the legal industry. In IP practice, digital tools have streamlined trademark and patent processes, improved portfolio management, and enhanced cross-border coordination. Clients today expect faster turnaround times, clearer insights, and greater cost transparency,” says Geetha.

She believes that this shift has encouraged law firms to move beyond traditional legal work and focus more on delivering strategic, business-oriented advice that supports long-term brand and innovation growth.

In 2026, Geetha expects to see deeper integration of AI into everyday legal work and talent development she believes this will be the most impactful trend in 2026.

“By 2026, the most significant impact will come from the deeper integration of AI into everyday legal work and talent development. In the past, junior executives learned by manually drafting basic legal documents. Going forward, they will be expected to use technology to prompt and generate first drafts efficiently, and then apply their legal knowledge, judgment, and expertise to refine, assess risks, and add strategic value,” explains Deepa. She further explains that this shift will redefine training, productivity, and the role of lawyers, while reinforcing the importance of strong legal fundamentals alongside technological fluency.

About Geetha Kandiah: She is a visionary CEO and Board Director with expertise in intellectual property and franchise law. She has transformed KASS International into a regional powerhouse, driven strategic growth, diversified services, empowered leadership teams, and is a highly sought-after international speaker on IP strategy and expansion.