Tag: lawfirmmanagement

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Fluff

If You Feed Them, They Will Come

A man and a woman having a business lunch.
Photo by Gustavo Fring at Pexels.

When I articled, if lawyers or law students worked past 6 pm, they were welcome to dine at the firm’s expense, as long as they returned to the office to work after dinner.

That sounded like a great deal to a lowly paid student, and I was impressed with how considerate the firm was. Being a slow learner, it took me a while to realize that the firm was trying to encourage lawyers to work late into the evening. It took me even longer to figure out that the lawyers would often work until just after 6 pm, go to dinner until 7:30 pm, and return to the office just long enough to be seen by some partners, and then leave.

read more about free food and law firms “If You Feed Them, They Will Come”
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Law Firm Management

Let’s Talk About Recruiters

Sign that says "this must be the place"
Photo by Timmossholder at Pexels.

Lawyers struggle to attract talent who are both capable and a good fit for a firm’s culture.

If only there were consultants who firms could retain and candidates could work with, who understand the market, the culture in different firms and practice groups, the current salaries being paid by firms of all sizes, and the expectations of law firms and candidates on a multitude of issues, including work from home, vacation entitlement, bonuses, and billable hour requirements.

read more about recruiters “Let’s Talk About Recruiters”
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Law Firm Management

Changing Law Firms for the Worse (Yet Again)

Woman working at computer.
Photo by Rdne at Pexels.

I was speaking to a recent retiree from a Canadian Big Law firm the other day, and she introduced a new law firm concept to me, being that of the “Practice Assistant.” Apparently at her firm they did away with the concept of Legal Assistants (formerly, a “secretary” for you very old folks) and replaced it with a Practice Assistant, or “PA.”

read more about charging clients even more “Changing Law Firms for the Worse (Yet Again)”
Categories
The Practice of Law

Consistently Chaotic

Office in shambles.
Photo by Cottonbro at Pexels

Early in my articles, a senior partner named David asked me to draft a document and gave me a precedent to use. David approved my draft but asked me to show it to Bob, a more junior partner. Bob told me that I had left out an important clause and asked me if David had approved my drafting. When I assured him that David had thought the draft was fine, Bob rolled his eyes and I understood that Bob did not hold David in high regard.

read more about inconsistent standards in law firms “Consistently Chaotic”
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Law Firm Management

Vacation Frustration

A lake at sunset with trees in the distance.

A junior Associate at a law firm  called me the other day to complain. There is nothing unusual about that. Associates complain a lot, often with good reason.

Her complaint this time was that she told H.R. that she needed to take a day off for a personal reason and was informed that she had only two choices. She could take the day as vacation or unpaid.

read more about dumb vacation policies at law firms “Vacation Frustration”
Categories
The Mentality and Attitudes of Lawyers

What Does Loyalty Have To Do With It?

A dog.
Photo by Roman Odintsov at Pexels.

“Leadership is a two-way street, loyalty up and loyalty down.”

Grace Murray Hopper

I thought that it might be fun to test my skills as a writer, by writing about two things that have virtually nothing to do with each other.  I considered writing about mosquitos and energy drinks, flags and ostriches, or trees and jet skis.  But I wanted to find things that are irreconcilable, regardless of any possible context. After much thought, I hit upon “loyalty” and “law firms.”

read more about the lack of loyalty in law firms “What Does Loyalty Have To Do With It?”
Categories
Firm Culture

Chasing Unicorns: Changing Law Firm Culture

Champagne being poured into glasses.
Photo by Cottonbro Studio at Pexels.

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”  

        Peter Drucker

Back when I was a Managing Partner in a law firm, I did not think  nearly enough about law firm culture. I really should have, but not only because it is the secret to business success. No, I should have thought more about firm culture because it is a crucial factor in whether or not lawyers are happy in their jobs, and as we all know, many of them are not very happy.

read more about changing law firm culture “Chasing Unicorns: Changing Law Firm Culture”
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Law Firm Management

Is it the Lazy Junior Lawyer’s Fault?

The words "Self Care Isn't Selfish."
Photo by Madison Inouye at Pexels.

Tali Green recently (sarcastically)asked the following question on LinkedIn: “Are lazy and sub-par juniors contributing to the mental health crisis in the legal profession?”

read more about blaming the victims “Is it the Lazy Junior Lawyer’s Fault?”
Categories
Client Development

Being Brilliant is Over-Rated

Boy staring at chessboard.
Photo by Mart Production at Pexels.

Way back before the cell phone, we had a telephone in our reception area for clients to use. At the same time, my doctor had a sign in his reception area advising patients that the doctor’s phone was for his staff’s use and clients could use a payphone in the lobby. The difference? We lawyers had to market ourselves to find clients and then convince them to pay our bills. My doctor worked under a government health care system and did not have to worry about either of those things.

read more about what really matters to clients “Being Brilliant is Over-Rated”
Categories
Law Firm Management

Aren’t Non-Equity Partners Really Just Glorified Associates?

With a nod to the danger of generalizing, I would have to say that as a group, I like non-equity partners (“NEPs”) just as much, if not better, than I like equity partners. They are often people who are primarily interested in practicing law and doing well by their clients, as opposed to promoting themselves and reaching the top of the earnings heap.

On the other hand, I don’t think much of the whole concept of non-equity partnership.

read more about how law firms pull the wool over their clients’ eyes “Aren’t Non-Equity Partners Really Just Glorified Associates?”