Remaking Law Firms: Excerpts from reviews

Three months after publication by the American Bar Association Remaking Law Firms: Why & How continues to receive critical acclaim from law firm leaders, clients, commentators and academics in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

Here is a selection of excerpts from reviews on the ABA page for Remaking Law Firms: Why & How.

1. “If you are like most law firm leaderships around the world, asking yourself ‘what on earth do we do now? and you only have the time to read one book, this is it. Richard Burcher Managing Director Validatum
2. “It’s rare that a single work can combine a truly visionary analysis of the legal services market with practical, down-to-earth guidance for restructuring the law firm business model, but Remaking Law Firms accomplishes that feat…a highly readable and accessible guide to understanding legal market upheaval, as well as a blueprint for implementing the changes necessary for traditional law firms to adapt to their new competitive environment. Highly recommended for law firm leaders who want to know what the future holds and how to chart a course straight there.” Jordan Furlong, Law21, Canada
3. “The book provides great insight into the key issues that face law firms today. It ties together the research, experiences and opinions from thought leaders around the world into a concise, well-presented package. It’s like having a conversation with those who are working hardest to bring change to the profession and letting you know how they see the impact of these changes and how they are dealing with them. It is a great read not only for law firms, but in-house counsel and procurement professionals to better understand the changing landscape and how to ensure their companies benefit from it.” Rick Kathuria, PMP, P. Eng, CMC Director, PM and Legal Logistics Gowling WLG
4. “The authors point out that changing a law firm’s business model, in order to combat market headwinds, must start with an appreciation of what clients want and value, rather than what protects historic profit levels and entrenched internal interests….That reason alone (although there are many others) distinguishes this important new work.” Tony Griffiths, London Head – K&L Gates.
5. “…a seminal work which analyses how client demand will drive fundamental change in the law firm of the future” Richard Tapp, General Counsel Carillion PLC
6. “Remaking Law Firms finally provides me a simple answer to questions I am often asked: Where should I start? What should I read?” Daniel Casey Flaherty, Procertas
7. “A must read if you work in the legal industry and have any desire to continue to do so five years from now” Martin Joseph Bragg, Hadef & Partners
8. “Offer(s) strategies for legal businesses to prosper in response to the opportunity their research has uncovered…compelling evidence of real change” Liam Brown, Elevate Services
9. “Ignore their message at your peril” Peter J. Kalis, K&L Gates LLP
10. “If there’s a single book all lawyers…should read, this is it…extraordinarily practical and focused…very important reading for general counsel and other in-house lawyers” Michael Roster, former managing partner Morrison & Foerster LA office, General Counsel, Stanford University and Golden West Financial
11. “A compelling read on many levels…extremely well-researched and thought-provoking book” Matthew Burgess, View Legal
12. “Remaking Law Firms tells us in well-documented detail how to pack our bags for the journey ahead” Janet Welch, Executive Director, State Bar of Michigan
13. “An important contribution to the discussion that is feeding the dreams and nightmares of wise and worried BigLaw partners around the world” Aric Press, Bernero & Press and Former editor in chief The American Lawyer
14. “No better preparation or companion” Stephen Mayson, Professor, University College London
15. “Shows how to use [change] to competitive advantage” Gerard Neiditsch, University of St. Gallen, Former CIO at Allens Linklaters, Norton Rose Fulbright and Mallesons Stephen Jaques
16. “Only those with hubris or myopia will disregard this compelling work” Jeff Carr, ValoremNext LLC, Former General Counsel, FMC Technologies Inc.
17. “A welcome primer on the challenges and opportunities facing law firm leaders” Gretta Rusanow, Citi Private Bank Law Firm Group
18. “Provides the guidance professional legal management needs” Nigel Boardman, Slaughter and May
19. “A compelling case for change…accessible, research-based, and remarkably wide-ranging…their insights help clearly identify where opportunities can be seized” Fred Headon, Chair of the Legal Futures Initiative, Canadian Bar Association and Air Canada Assistant General Counsel
20. “Sets a challenging agenda for law firms of the future” Richard Susskind, Author of Tomorrow’s Lawyers and co-author of The Future of the Professions
21. “A comprehensive and pragmatic examination of the present and future legal landscape…provides very valuable counsel” Ralph Baxter, Thomson Reuters Legal Executive Institute, Former Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
22. “An outstanding analysis of the future of the legal profession…Law firm leaders will ignore this at their peril” Stuart Clark, President Law Council of Australia, Partner, Clayton Utz
23. “Indispensable reading for all those involved in the industry” Steven M. Walker, Hewlett Packard
24. “An interesting and encyclopaedic walkthrough of current thinking in today’s legal market” Richard Tromans, TromansConsulting
25. “Be prepared to go seriously off-road with George Beaton and Imme Kaschner and their wealth of expert contributors. The future of the legal profession is there” Geoff Wild, Kent County Council UK

My co-author, Imme Kaschner, and I are delighted with the response Remaking Law Firms is receiving–thank you to all who are taking the time to review and provide feedback on our work.

George Beaton