Anyone managing a team of lawyers will often hear themselves encouraging their team to “get closer to clients”, to “know clients’ business” and, in that most misused injunction, “be commercial”.
But what lies behind these often-nebulous phrases that flow easily out of any partner’s mouth at appraisal time? Looking at how the profession has changed, perhaps it is time to ask why lawyers now need to be more than just technically competent in their substantive law and practice. Why should they sharpen up on skills such as management, marketing and financial?
