With 2019 nearly in the rear-view mirror, law firms around the state are still tying up loose ends from the year. But they're also thinking ahead.

Midsize firm leaders all across Pennsylvania shared their predictions for 2020 with The Legal. Here's what they had to say.

Editor's note: Responses have been edited for length and style.

Jeff Lobach, managing partner at Barley Snyder

On the one hand, for 2020 we are looking at a historically long period of economic expansion with some concern about a possible slowing. As a result, we are being conservative in our revenue projections for 2020 and have developed a matrix of triggers which would result in our considering a series of escalating steps in response to a possible downturn, to protect the firm and our team and to gear up in counter-cyclical areas of practice.

On the other hand, our work volume continues to be robust across practice areas and we are anticipating a continuation of the careful and deliberate growth that has, over the past six years, allowed us to double our head count and number of offices and to expand our geographic footprint. We already have three new lawyers recruited for 2020 and have additional hires in the budget.

Experience has taught us that the new year will bring opportunities that we cannot now foresee and we intend to be nimble enough to take advantage of those as we have in the last several years. There will also be challenges that we cannot predict and we need to be poised to deal with those on the run, too.

David B. White, executive committee member at Burns White

I don't anticipate any significant changes or challenges in the new year. Rather, I believe we'll see a continuation of the trends we've been experiencing. As our clients look for economical ways to mitigate risk and minimize expenses, I expect that we will continue to see a shift from trying matters in the courtroom to resolution through mediation and arbitration. Additionally, the use of alternative fee arrangements will remain an important offering for clients seeking a level of predictability in managing their legal expenses.

David Pudlin, president and CEO of Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller

I wish I had a crystal ball, but it is very hard to predict how 2020 will be for midsize firms, let alone for the legal industry as a whole. I say that, notwithstanding the upcoming presidential election and the likely impeachment trial, because I believe those events will not have a significant impact on the legal industry or on the economy absent something very unexpected happening. With respect to everything I know as of today, I expect my firm to have a growth in 2020 from 2019 of 5% to 10% in revenues and hopefully in profit.

Brian Jackson, chair of McNees Wallace & Nurick

We are bullish on 2020. 2019 has been an investment year where we have invested to grow both geographically and with strong lateral hires. We expect that these investments will pay dividends in 2020 and beyond.

Michael Frattone, managing partner at Kleinbard

From what I see, the caution last year about a recession has fallen away. Deal work especially is strong and I think [it will stay] that way at least into the third quarter. Same with litigation—the work is steady and good, with no signs of dropping off. My prediction for the biggest problem for midsize firms? Staffing. The market is very tight for associates right now. I don't see that changing any time soon either.

Chris Carson, president and CEO of Cohen & Grigsby

The talent wars will continue in terms of trying to attract high-quality talent, in terms of firms that are in the field in both markets. We're seeing increasing competition from our peers in the accounting firms, and that's a trend that will continue in 2020.

That consolidation trend among clients will continue, and that continues to put pressure on midsize firms. The choice is whether you're going to be a boutique … or offer a broader suite of services and jurisdictions to your clients.

It's been 10 years since a correction in the economy. At some point there's going to be a shift in the economic underpinnings that are driving growth for law firms. Preparing wisely for that change is on a lot of law firms' minds at the moment.

Certainly the accounting profession is going to continue to present very strong [competition to law firms]. They're very good at systems and at process. They will figure out a way to be a viable competitor in the U.S. market. I think law firms, even if they're not preparing for it, are anxious about it.

Don Bluedorn, managing shareholder of Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir

There are four things that I think we're going to see more in 2020 than we've probably ever seen. First, there's really to be a continued pressure and movement to AI in the legal practice as clients seek more efficiencies.

Second, in 2020 we're going to see more and more of what many people would consider new areas of the law, like regulation of autonomous vehicles and regulation of unmanned vehicles like drones. The legal industry is going to have to confront that and deal with that.

Third, midsize firms are really going to have to find more creative ways to compete with national full-service firms and smaller firms … the difference in rates has become less important to in-house counsel. As a midsize law firm, you're going to [have to find] more creative ways to bridge that gap and show in-house counsel the value midsize firms can bring.

Fourth, I think we're kidding ourselves if we don't at least acknowledge it—we could be facing some potentially very challenging economic climates. I think in 2020, I hope this last prediction doesn't come through, but we could be facing some very challenging economic times. I like to think midsize firms can adapt to that more quickly than their Am Law competitors, but I think the firms that can weather that are the ones that can adapt quickly.