Vieira de Almeida (VdA) is a Portuguese law firm with international reach. The firm began exploring strategic foresight through a World Economic Forum scenario-planning exercise in 2020 and later continued this work with the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS). The initiative was developed in response to changes affecting the legal sector, including artificial intelligence, regulatory developments, evolving client expectations and geopolitical uncertainty.

VdA and the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS) CIFS developed a foresight process to help leadership explore multiple possible futures rather than rely on a single forecast. The process included horizon scanning, research, scenario development and the examination of two key uncertainties: the future role of AI and geopolitical change.

The scenarios were used to assess VdA’s business model and strategic options. Partners and leaders participated in interviews, surveys and workshops designed to make assumptions explicit, support strategic dialogue and test a preferred direction against alternative developments. Around 70 leaders across three jurisdictions were involved through a Steering Committee, Board and Sounding Board.

The work also supported the integration of foresight into ongoing leadership practice rather than treating it as a one-off strategic exercise. In the first seven months following strategy approval in January 2026, VdA recorded 13% revenue growth, 10% growth in client acquisition, 5% growth in new matters and 20% growth in collections. These results cannot be attributed solely to the foresight initiative, but provide context for the organisation’s progress during the period.