The Google Illusion: The Risks of Relying On Search Results for Due Diligence

Every decision to onboard a client, partner, lateral hire, contractor, consultant or expert witness carries risk. Yet despite the increasing complexity of that risk, many firms continue to rely on onboarding practices that have not kept pace with the digital world in which their clients and people operate. The result is a widening gap between how risk actually manifests today and how it is assessed at the point of onboarding.

7 minute read March 31, 2026 at 11:11 PM
By
Matt Winlaw
The Google Illusion: The Risks of Relying On Search Results for Due Diligence

Law firms operate in one of the most risk-sensitive environments of any profession. Confidentiality, reputation, trust and ethical conduct are not aspirational ideals; they are the foundations on which firms win work, retain clients, attract talent and protect their license to operate.

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