Robert J. Couture

Bob is a Senior Research Fellow at the Center on the Legal Profession and the former Executive Director of McGuireWoods, LLP.  Bob concentrates primarily on law firm strategy and operationalizing strategic plans.  His current research is focused on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the business models of large law firms, and the actions large firms should take based on their desired strategic positioning.  In 2025 he published his research titled “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Law Firms’ Business Models,” describing how AI could shape the future of large law firms.    

In 2017, Bob wrote the lead story in The Practice titled “Postrecession Strategies; Legal market segmentation as the foundation for successful strategic planning,” and the 2021 article in The Practice entitled “The Global 100 Responds to the Big 4.“  He also authored “Leading the Way,” documenting how superior leadership in law firms leads to strategy execution and achieving outstanding results.  

Bob was formerly the Senior VP for Novell Worldwide Services (Cambridge Technology Partners), Senior VP of Strategy for Xerox’s services business, and VP for IBM Global Services network consulting practice.  He holds a BS from Michigan State University and a Master of Management from The University of Michigan Rackham School of Graduate Studies.