Partner Teams – the benefits, the challenges and why some partners don’t like them! (Part Two)
Too often, partners with specialties do not train successors in that area of work, do not introduce their clients to team lawyers in an organised, structured way and when they retire the ‘cupboard is often bare’ i.e. no real succession has been provided for in regard to skills transfer, personnel or key clients. Legal staff are left in a melting pot of uncertainty as to workflow, quality of work, coaching, feedback and whether an interest will be taken in them or their work and progression in the firm. This results in lowered self-esteem, potential is not realised and lower productivity and sometimes departure results.
Partner Teams – the benefits, the challenges and why some partners don’t like them! (Part One)
The benefits of Partner teams within Law Firms, World-wide.
A Simple Governance Framework for Small to Mid-Sized Law Firms
This simple, flexible governance framework avoids the need for complex management structures and addresses the needs of a large majority of firms.
The Benefits of Paying Creditors Promptly
When I started off in law firm leadership and management some thirty years ago, I wondered at the time what the general approach should be to paying the firm’s creditors – on invoice, after 30 days, or even after 60 days or more? After talking to my colleagues in other firms, I realised most firms […]
Simplicity
Simplicity is the key to outstanding management. Professionals in ownership or senior roles simply don’t have the time, motivation or gas-power for complex, lengthy systems of getting things done.
Online Reputation Management for Professionals and Their Organisations
Online Reputation Management (ORM) has become one of the latest marketing and brand buzz-concepts. This is one every professional should be concerned about and should understand. Much has already been written about ORM, as any search on the internet will show. I have found that much of what is available online does not explain where […]
Do You Understand your Firm’s DNA? What Are the Good and the Bad Bits?
The DNA acronym is sometimes used with reference to the inherent characteristics of a firm or a part of the firm. Unlike the originating definition of DNA – an organic chemical of complex molecular structure which codes genetic information for transmission of inherited traits – which is fixed, the important thing about this loose use […]
One of the Most Important Discussions Law Firm Leaders Will Have: Welcoming New Associates or Graduate Lawyers to the Firm
New associates or graduate lawyers follow a long and mostly arduous path through the university and local law society systems before they can join a law firm. They arrive at their first law firm with mixed feelings of excitement, trepidation and uncertainty, but mostly they are yearning to learn the ropes and do well. As […]
Law firm brand success calls for leadership, education and structure!
Brand is such an important asset and so fundamental to the success or failure of every law firm that it is a strategic, not an operational or administrative, issue. It is therefore surprising how few firms invest in developing a common firm-wide understanding of brand and a supporting strategy – or put in the effort […]
Getting the job done: Some practical examples
A year ago, I published an EIC article titled ‘Forget systems and structures – getting the job done is the key’. In that article I suggested effort often goes into putting in systems or structures, but not enough emphasis is put on ensuring the success and implementation of projects – and that, consequently, results don’t […]