Features
Title Inflation: What's in a Name?
Like many organizations, title inflation has befallen law firms. Clearly, titles are important. Despite the temporary de-emphasis during the 'dot-com' era, titles are fundamental to any organizational design especially in a law firm setting where a more hierarchical model has always been valued. Used correctly, it can represent a way to reward, and in theory retain, talent. Positioning the marketing function at the 'C' level seems to make good sense, for the firm and certainly the executive. Despite this, before taking on the title ask yourself; am I getting a seat at the table or on the edge of a cliff?
Features
Creating a Successful Summer Associate Training Program
It's not a secret that a strong summer associate program is essential to attracting and retaining talent. Aside from providing good work assignments and networking opportunities, a summer program would not be complete without a training component. Whether your firm provides a few seminars or a formal Summer Associate Academy complete with workshops, guest speakers, and opportunities to attend off-site conferences, the following provides an overview of some easy steps for creating an effective summer associate training program.
Features
Family Responsibilities Discrimination in Law Firms
Sex-based stereotypes still play a role in workplace decisions in what has become one of the fastest growing areas of employment discrimination law: Family Responsibilities Discrimination ('FRD'). While overall the filing of employment discrimination cases has declined in recent years, FRD lawsuits have increased by 400% in the last decade; and FRD cases have a 50% success rate, compared with a 20% success rate for other employment discrimination cases.
Features
Deal Season 2008: Outlook for Transaction Support Services
Many global firms that provide transaction support services for law firms are exceedingly worried about the 2008 deal season. But is the anecdotal evidence of a drying pipeline true? A quick look at the data suggests that law and accounting firms are right to be worried about a decreased deal flow, with only a few highlights in sight.
I'LL FOLLOW YOU ANYWHERE <i>When You Learn How To Lead Me There</i>
Gerry Riskin, who is undoubtedly one of the anointed few among clear thinkers, recently sent out a small video (http://www.gerryriskin.com/law-firm-leadership-law-firm-leaders-heres-3-minutes-53-seconds-from-tom-peters.html) of Tom Peters on the subject of leadership. It was an important piece, and certainly worth the few moments it takes to view it. The subject of leadership is intriguing, obviously. There are a vast number of books on the subject, and people in all walks of life seem to spend more time and concern on…
INVISIBLE MARKETING II.
INVISIBLE MARKETING II. Last column we startged discussing "permission marketing" by recognizing opportunities given to you by clients and prospects for future client generation. This time we will add two more business development openings. "WHAT'S NEW?", when asked by a past contact or by a good client, opens the way to talk about: * A recent firm success * An highly regarded article written by a colleague * Or asking if they have heard about a…
INVISIBLE MARKETING I.
INVISIBLE MARKETING I. is a comcept requiring a sharp eye and ear. It is a component of "permission marketing" where a client or prospect provide you with an opportunity to sell to them. For example, we all know that great work and referrals are the 2 best sources of future business development. But complaints, yes complaints, are another great source of business by building a strong relationship. If a client calls with a problem in…
Features
Lawyer or Laborer? Value Billing Helps Lawyers Convey the Worth, Not Just the Cost, of Their Services
Cash cannot be realized until clients understand the benefits they have received from the lawyer's services — and agree to pay the bill. The key is to understand and convey value to the client, expressed in clear and understandable terms.
Features
Client Attrition: More Tools to Stem the Trickle of Lost Work
The billable hours lost each month to attrition stand to impact a firm's bottom line unless firm managers counteract this trickle with affirmative measures.
Features
Professional Development: Enough Is Enough: Lawyers Should Look Like Lawyers
This is the first of two articles about current dress codes in U.S. law firms. This first article sets forth the author's opinion on the 'hot-button' topic. The second article will present reaction and commentary from managing partners and firm leaders across the country.
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