Did we serenely pass a tipping point?

Ken Grady’s post argues that a recent survey from Corporate Counsel magazine suggests we did pass a tipping point in legal services in the US. I would this tipping point has or is being reached in other major jurisdictions too. 

As my kids used to say, “Made you look”! Remember, we rarely know a tipping point until we have passed it. We see them while looking back. We realize the world changed as we watched another cute cat video. For the record, I prefer the video of Professors Collins and Stone talking with Judge Posner. The Judge shares some provocative thoughts about the Supreme Court.

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Posted by on Apr 4, 2017 in BigLaw firms, Business models, Legal services ecosystem | 0 comments

The Challenges Inherent in Assessing Law Firm Leader Performance

With The Challenges Inherent in Assessing Law Firm Leader Performance I am delighted to welcome Patrick McKenna who has joined the ranks of authors on Dialogue. In the face of strong evidence pointing to the crucial role of top leadership in managing the transformation of the BigLaw business model, Pat’s recent post makes vital study.

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Posted by on Mar 29, 2017 in BigLaw firms | 0 comments

@PwC makes a game-changing move in legal services

This is how I tweeted it: “@PwC makes a game-changing move in legal services ow.ly/anzX30a7qOz Managing half GE’s global tax requirements”. The article cited in the link was published in The Lawyer on March 20, 2017 (paywall). It begins: “You can’t fault PwC’s chutzpah.”

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Posted by on Mar 23, 2017 in BigLaw firms, Legal services ecosystem, NewLaw business models | 2 comments

Ten Things I’d Do Differently as a Law Firm CEO

Tim Corcoran first published Ten Things I’d Do Differently as a Law Firm CEO on his blog in March 2013. Re-reading Tim’s illuminating views reminds me plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. Most (well, at least most observers) now agree the biggest challenge facing BigLaw business model firms is change management. Tim focuses our minds on actions top leaders can take to enable firms to cope better with the increasingly tough external environment.  It’s no surprise that after four years, Ten Things I’d Do Differently as a Law Firm CEO remains the top rating post on Tim’s blog.

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Posted by on Mar 17, 2017 in BigLaw firms | 0 comments

LPM, a vital business development tool lawyers are ignoring

LPM, a vital business development tool lawyers are ignoring is the first post on Dialogue by Pam Woldow and Doug Ricardson. They start with a parental admonition: Eat your damned vegetables. What’s the matter with you?  Don’t you know what’s good for you?  

I am particularly pleased that their vital message and its timing resonates with a recent keynote address I delivered to 300 leaders of professional services firms in Australia and New Zealand (1). 

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Posted by on Mar 14, 2017 in BigLaw firms | 0 comments

Legal Education in the 21st Century

This post on Legal Education in the 21st Century is a most welcome contribution to Dialogue. It is written by Professor Andrew (Andy) Perlman, Dean of the Suffolk University Law School. Given the intimate and crucial nexus between legal education and research and the practise of law, Dialogue seeks to strengthen the representation of the academy. 

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Posted by on Mar 10, 2017 in Digital strategy, Law schools, Technology | 0 comments

New insights into equity profit shares in US BigLaw firms

“The topic of equity profit shares can bring more tears than working with an onion.” 

Ed’s views on a recent (February 27, 2017 ) American Lawyer article shed additional light on one of the first open commentaries by (BigLaw) firm leaders about the changing landscape of equity partner compensation. The topic is complex and nuanced in ways that are much deeper than any one article can cover. The real value is that finally it is being talked about in a more open and honest way than ever before, and that is a good thing. But a lot churns just below the surface, and isn’t discussed in the article by firm leaders, for understandable reasons.

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Posted by on Mar 7, 2017 in BigLaw firms | 0 comments