The retiring baby boomer generation includes lawyers who were founding partners of their firm. It’s understandable that as they bow out of the profession, they would want to protect the legacy they spent so many years building by ensuring their clients would be well taken care of in the future. It also makes sense that [...]
Most law firms I know are very giving from a charitable perspective. This could include altruistic monetary donations, support for client events, support of charitable initiatives involving the firm’s lawyers or staff, or in-house events in support of a charity. I’m always interested to see where in the budget these activities reside. It says a [...]
Over the next ten or so years, we will see a marketplace-shifting change in law firm ownership as baby boomers retire and decide what to do with their practice. This is a time of high angst for those about to leave the law, and potentially a remarkable opportunity for the more entrepreneurial and thick- stomached [...]
Partners wrestle with this question: when do we make the difficult decision to part company with one of our own? This action goes against the very fibre of a typical law firm. Partnerships are based on undying loyalty, nurturing the next partners, and being there for each other through thick and thin. We understand that [...]
The most powerful marketing is honest, consistent and meaningful to your firm and your target audience. Because of this, it makes sense to ensure that how we market ourselves reflects our firm’s values, goals and differentiators. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Some firms spend time in a retreat or hire a consultant to take [...]
Lawyers are intelligent, capable human beings who sometimes find it almost impossible to manage their time well. The reason could be that too much is expected of them; that they like to do things very well before moving on and that takes time; that they under-estimated how long an activity will take; that when activities [...]
While law firms tend to be a relatively flat structure, there is usually a management structure that helps to guide things along. Typically, this includes a lawyer leadership team (a Managing Partner and potentially, an Executive Committee), practice or client team leaders if the firm is organized into teams, and an administrative team comprised of [...]
Law firm managers need to be active, conscious and pro-active in their role. Management is not merely a title, it is a critical role that is seldom done well in a law firm. Law firms require a range of managers. These include professional managers such as Administrators, marketing or IT directors and the like. But [...]
I come from a world where client service is as important as legal expertise. In fact, client service might be even more important than legal expertise because as Maya Angelou said, years from now people won’t remember what you said or did but they will remember how you made them feel. The reality is that [...]
Change is a reality of business. Client needs shift; legal expertise shifts due to retirements and new hires; legislation and case law create new opportunities and close down previous legal practises. Change is hard for most people, but particularly for lawyers. The lawyer personality doesn’t like change; it likes the expected, precedent and tradition. Lawyers [...]