Law firms need to invest in their IT systems in order to expand their business, according to the chair of Legal Week's forthcoming Strategic Technology Forum.

Abby Ewen, IT director at Berrymans Lace Mawer, highlights the need for continued investment in IT in a video interview with Legal Week publishing director John Malpas, ahead of the conference next month.

In the interview she argues that there is a limit to how long firms can hold back on spending on IT systems and points out that those organisations taking steps now to update their systems will be able to seize advantage in an upturn, while "if you sit still, you will go backwards."

The current spate of merger activity – both international and national – is driving a lot of IT investment at present with Ewen stating: "Mergers mean a lot of work for IT and the integration of systems can be hugely expensive."

She adds that IT directors need to be called in during the early stages of a merger, as a mis-match of technology can add significant costs to integration and can even diminish the economies of scale and savings from putting two business service functions together in the first place.

Ewen also discusses the reversal of outsourcing deals by some firms in the video, saying: "Firms are recognising that cost reduction is not a sustainable strategy. You need to invest in infrastructure and people."

Commenting on the trends Daniel Pollick, director of business infrastructure and chief information officer of DLA Piper, added: "Law firms have a strong desire to merge their IT systems into one platform which tends to mean significant short term costs which can only be recouped through the long-term benefits of running a single business."

In relation to some firms reducing their back office outsourcing deals Pollick said: "You need to take a more balanced view – there are some things you can do better yourself and others that external partners can do better."

Ewen will chair the event, now in its eighth year, which is aimed at CIOs, IT directors and law firm leaders. Held near Rome in the Grand Hotel Palazzo Della Fonte from 12-14 June, the event will include speakers from firms including Berwin Leighton Paisner, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Latham & Watkins, and Pinsent Masons, in addition to speakers from corporates such as Mimecast and NetApp.

This year's event will cover topics including next generation business intelligence systems, mobile security, project management and business analysis and cost reduction.

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