Meet the Team with Sam Catchpole‑Radford - ​​​​DMS Solutions Consultant

In the latest edition of our “Meet the Team” series, we had an interesting chat with Sam Catchpole-Radford, DMS Solutions Consultant at Xperate. Sam shares his journey into legal tech, what his role looks like in practice, the realities of managing multiple client projects, and even a very unique hobby outside of work.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career background.

I joined Xperate in October 2025. Before that, I was working in a data migration-focused role for a company operating in the legal sector. That was actually my first exposure to legal tech, so the early months were very much about getting to grips with how law firms operate, understanding their processes, documents and terminology, and then applying my technical skillset to that environment.

My background is heavily rooted in data migration, and I’ve always enjoyed the technical side of things, including building tools to support that work. Over time, I moved from general data migration into legal-specific projects, which naturally led me to where I am now.

Why did you want to join Xperate, and what does your role involve day to day?

What attracted me to Xperate was the shift from pure data migration into a more consultancy-led role. Now, it’s much more about working closely with clients, understanding their needs and helping shape solutions that genuinely work for them.

Since joining, a lot of my work has focused on the NetDocuments platform, and most of what I do is project-based. I’m typically responsible for managing projects through their full lifecycle.

Some days are very client-facing. I might spend several hours on calls, working through requirements, asking questions and making sure we fully understand what the firm needs in order to scope and build a solution. Other days are more hands-on in the build phase, where I’m working within the client’s environment, configuring systems and putting everything together.

Once a project reaches the final stages, I’m also involved in go-live support, making sure everything runs smoothly and helping users with any issues that come up. That’s something I really enjoy, being able to step in, solve problems and support clients when it matters most.

No two days are ever the same, and I think that’s one of the things I enjoy most. I’m usually working across multiple projects at any one time, which keeps things varied and interesting.

What challenges may you face in your role, and how could you overcome them?

Interestingly, the go-live stage is often the least challenging part of a project. By that point, everything should have been tested thoroughly, so it’s usually quite smooth.

The real challenges tend to come earlier on, particularly at the start or in the middle of a project. That’s where you’re gathering requirements, working through complexities and sometimes dealing with unknowns.

Because I’m managing multiple projects at once, priorities can shift quickly. Urgent issues can come up out of nowhere, which means I often have to reassess my schedule and adapt. Strong organisation is key, along with being able to anticipate potential delays and adjust accordingly.

There are also factors outside of your control. Technical issues, user challenges or simply the time it takes for a firm to get comfortable with a new system can all impact timelines. Major change can be daunting, so introducing new technology or processes requires careful handling and clear communication.

Sometimes you also need to reset expectations. Not everything will work exactly as initially imagined, so part of the role is finding practical solutions and guiding clients towards the best outcome.

What motivates you to achieve success?

For me, it’s seeing a project come together successfully. There’s a real sense of satisfaction in solving problems along the way and then seeing everything work as it should at the end.

I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving. It’s a bit like piecing together a puzzle, working through challenges, understanding why something isn’t working and finding a way to fix or improve it. Being able to explain that back to a client and help them understand the solution is a big part of that.

When a project goes live without issues, and the client is happy, that’s when you know the work has paid off. That’s what motivates me to keep improving and delivering the best possible outcomes.

What challenges do firms typically face when implementing a new DMS, and what advice would you give to help ensure it delivers real value?

Any new technology is there to make life easier, and that’s certainly the case with DMS platforms. But the challenge is often in how firms approach the change.

My advice would be to take a step back and look at your current processes. Understand what’s working, what isn’t, and where there’s room for improvement. That makes it much easier to see how a new system can add value.

It’s also important to trust the technology and the process. Change can feel uncomfortable, and there’s often a dip before things improve, but that’s a natural part of the journey.

The firms that get the most value are the ones that are open to adapting how they work, rather than trying to force a new system to fit old processes.

How do you unwind outside of work?

Outside of work, I’ve got a few hobbies that keep me busy.

One of the more unusual ones is fireworks! I’m trained in setting up professional displays, including all the safety aspects, and I get involved in everything from weddings to competition displays, usually at weekends.

I also spend a lot of time with my son, who’s really into fighter jets and planes, so we often go to airshows together.

Travel is another big one for me. I travelled quite a bit when I was younger, and now I’m looking to do the same with my family. We’ve already been to places like France, Italy, Turkey and Lapland, and we’ve got a trip to New York coming up soon.

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn here.

sam.catchpole-radford@xperate.com