While the American Bar Association’s policymaking body this week rejected proposals for lawyers to share law firm ownership and legal fees with other professionals, the issue is far from settled, say some observers, who note the legal industry is increasingly facing rivals from other industries and must transform to keep up.

Impeding legal fees from being shared with non-J.D. holders won’t stop tech companies, the Big Four and management consultants from offering their services to law firm clients, said observers.