One aspect of law firms that is becoming increasingly of interest to clients — and an area that might offer opportunities for differentiation — is law firm commitment to increasing and sustaining diversity.
August 01, 2017John J. Buchanan
The law firm business model of the past is under attack. Slowly, private legal is responding with things like developing knowledge management systems, establishing jobs for data analysts who can establish pricing of services and beginning to look at ways to outline workflows and processes. Unfortunately, corporate clients are impatient and are beginning to push harder for improved efficiency and increased speed of service delivery.
August 01, 2017Teresa J. WalkerNASA Doesn't Need a Social Media Policy, and Neither Do You
You don't need a separate policy governing how your firm's staff will represent you on social media. You already have one.
August 01, 2017Spencer X SmithGiven the level of focus placed on client teams, industry teams, and client feedback by our law firm clients over the past 18 months, it would appear that firms are not only seeking out the voice of the client, but they are listening and taking action.
August 01, 2017Bruce AlltopThe two major challenges now facing lawyer management in many of these mid-size firms are: 1) how to motivate the non-entrepreneurial attorneys to achieve and to perform; and 2) how to retain the "over-achiever" attorneys so they will remain with the firm.
August 01, 2017Joel A. RoseWhere law firm leaders' "gut judgement" was once sufficient, running the business well now requires solid intelligence (yes, Big Law is a business). Decisions must balance the demands of clients with those of the partnership. Law firms are awash in data, but harnessing it to support sound decision-making is a major challenge.
August 01, 2017Mark T. GreeneThe role of chief strategy officer (CSO) — increasingly common in corporate America — has been adopted by relatively few law firms. Consultants say perceptions of what the position entails and whether it's necessary vary widely throughout the legal industry.
July 02, 2017Lizzy McLellanAbsent the willingness or inability of first tier partners to create an environment in which blossoming attorneys can achieve their personal, professional and economic objectives, the likelihood is that these very attractive partners may leave to join other law firms.
July 02, 2017Joel A. RoseNot too many years ago, good decisions made by smart lawyers were sufficient. Law firms were raising their fees substantially every year and attorney incomes were soaring. Now, corporate buyers are largely calling the shots, and excellent decision-making by law firm leaders is required as firms work to maintain their profitability.
July 01, 2017Mark T. GreeneWhether a firm has poor leaders, leaders with no vision, leaders who micro-manage or leaders who are downright dysfunctional, somewhere in the firm there is an opportunity to help a leader or a group of leaders to become more effective.
July 01, 2017Silvia L. Coulter
