Law Firm Management

Against the odds

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | October 3, 2007

One of the most dreaded situations a lawyer can face is when a longstanding client asks you to re-tender. If you have a good relationship with the client and are regularly seeking feedback on your performance through independent client service reviews, such re-tendering situations rarely come out of the blue to catch you by surprise.

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Make rain while the sun shines

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | September 26, 2007

'I trained to be a lawyer - not a salesperson'; 'selling is like stalking'; 'we have a marketing department - isn't it their job?'. Such are the typical refrains when lawyers are told they have to develop their business.

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It pays to prepare

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | September 19, 2007

On 15 December, 2007, independent legal professionals, as defined, will need to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2007. The Law Society recently issued a practice note outlining good practice and providing direction on new measures coming into force.

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The great divide

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | September 19, 2007

Two years ago Nigel Knowles, Ed Smith and Richard Chaplin published an article in Legal Week under the auspices of the Managing Partners' Forum (MPF). The article, 'The Unsung Heroes', was intended to be a clarion call to law firms to better appreciate the importance of client service professionals (CSPs) for the success of the business.

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Close call

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | September 19, 2007

In June this year, Sheffield was hit by severe flooding, following some of the wettest weather on record in the UK. On Monday (25 June), Irwin Mitchell's Sheffield offices, located across two buildings in the centre of the city, were badly hit by the flooding. The ground floors of both buildings were engulfed with water.

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Digital Dictation: Dictating the future

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | September 12, 2007

Legal Week's analysis of digital dictation systems (DDS) a year ago revealed a market that was still to be fully convinced that this technology is an absolute 'must have' for law firms. Indeed, the research showed that almost 40% of the top 100 firms had not embraced DDS in any form. Crucially, that statistic included all five of the magic circle firms - a statistic that no longer stands after Linklaters introduced digital dictation firm-wide.

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Digital Dictation: Model behaviour

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | September 12, 2007

Any survey of information systems at law firms would reveal they have invested heavily in a range of such systems that cover most areas of the business and practice. It is also equally likely to reveal diverse ways in which such information is held and managed in at least some, but probably most, of the key systems. It is only to be expected that new or replacement systems initiatives would be undertaken at different times because firms cannot renew all their systems at the same time.

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Don't believe the hype

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | September 12, 2007

Not surprisingly, when it comes to the vastness of the internet, the media likes to focus on the new: new technologies, new phenomena, new dangers, new ways to fritter away time, new knee-jerk reactions by large businesses. Newness is also great for consultants and people involved in business development: new initiatives to be launched, new budgets to be created and new corporate policies to be devised.

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Firm agreement

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | September 5, 2007

Clive Greenwood looks at whether restrictive covenants will survive when a law firm's partners vote to become a limited liability partnership

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A client's perspective

By a:1:{i:0;s:1:" ";} | August 8, 2007

I am a prospective client of your firm and I thought I would get in touch. We are looking for a long-term business partner and yours looks like the type of firm we could get close to.

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Texas Lawyer

The Interplay of Ethical Rules and Attorney-Client Intimate Relationships

By Shari Klevens and Alanna Clair | March 12, 2018

Many attorneys have some sort of personal relationships with their clients. Many consider their clients to be good or even close friends. Others may…

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Pro Mid Market

Mid-Market Recap: The Importance of Being Nimble and Flexible, Part I

By Hank Grezlak | March 10, 2018

 Starting any collective endeavor from scratch is never easy. That's especially true for law firms, given the competition, the wide array…

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The American Lawyer

Akerman L.A. Managing Partner Sue Zabloudil on Maintaining a Work Ethic

By Major, Lindsey & Africa | March 9, 2018

In a Q&A, she opens up about the value of dependability and communication.

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The American Lawyer

Barnes & Thornburg Budgeting Push Pays Off in Record Revenue

By Roy Strom | March 9, 2018

Gross revenue jumped 7 percent last year at Barnes & Thornburg, where a push to use budgets and legal project management has grown to encompass 20 percent of the firm's work.

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Texas Lawyer

Bracewell's Financials Edged Higher in 2017

By Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | March 9, 2018

Bracewell added two new practice areas in 2017 as part of 11 lateral partner hires.

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Pro Mid Market

Midsize Migration: How the Recession Pushed Big Fish to Seek Bigger Ponds

By Dan Scott | March 9, 2018

The pressures of a lengthy downturn in work created opportunities for law firms that were willing and able to be creative in how they provided services to their clients.

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Pro Mid Market

Valuing a Law Firm

By William F. Brennan | March 9, 2018

Establishing the value of a law firm is complicated; there is no simple "rule of thumb."

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The American Lawyer

The Four Types of Firms Vying For the Top Work and Who Will Win Out

By Brad Hildebrandt and Tony Williams | March 9, 2018

Law firm consultants Brad Hildebrandt and Tony Williams have identified four types of firms competing for the global work that keeps firms the busiest, and they identify which models are working and which have staying power.

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Law.com

Pulling the Occasional 'All-Nighter,' Sidley Austin's Heidi Levine Is a Legal Machine

By Leigh Jones | March 9, 2018

"I keep my calendar up-to-date every day. If it's not on my calendar, it doesn't exist in my life."

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New York Law Journal

Dismissal, Sanctions Upheld in Ex-Allen & Overy Lawyer's Sexual Harassment Suit Against Firm

By Jason Grant | March 9, 2018

The lawsuit brought by Deidre Holmes Clark, once a senior attorney at the firm's Moscow office, was thrown out after she repeatedly refused to submit to a court-ordered psychological exam.

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