Crisis - Strategies and Tactics

As we enter the New Year, chances are good you’re dealing with a predictable slate of demands on your time: setting compensation and budgets; managing details associated with the latest departure;  and interviewing this week’s lateral prospect. All important activities, and worthy of serious attention; but none of these is likely to make the firm

Most firms are in the final stretch of 2020, wrestling with collections, budgets, PPP loan forgiveness, promotions and compensation decisions. All of these are important activities. But, while focused on wrapping up 2020 let me suggest one more subject that deserves attention — something that stands a chance of making a real long-term difference.

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Managing the delicate balance of law firm economics has always been a challenge. In serving any particular market (practice type and geography), firms struggle to find that sweet spot — the perfect formula of rates/pricing, productivity, cost, and resulting profits. Should any one of the particulars get far out of equilibrium, the consequences can be

Well run law firms annually set aside time to plan for year-end activities and decisions.  In addition to using institutional processes, systems and experience to wrap up the successful (hopefully) year, most firms use that time to plan for the coming year.  Like clockwork, important decisions for the firm’s present and future have often been

In the turmoil caused by Covid-19, many law firms have had to adjust to unforeseen circumstances.  News stories tell the sad tale of law firms being adversely impacted.  Some firms have closed, and unfortunately others will follow.

With one firm’s demise comes opportunity for others.  Clearly, personnel leaving the firm in wind-down must find homes

Virtually all law firms have had to adjust business practices to address the pandemic’s impact.  Whether working remotely, refocusing or changing firm economics, making personnel moves, or partnering with clients more, today’s challenges have fundamentally changed the way law firms operate.  For the law firms grappling with too many upheavals in their world, crisis looms.

In last week’s post, we explored the surprise loss of a law firm leader. Today I want to suggest an orderly approach to this inevitable event.

The Zeughauser Group conducted a survey that included several interesting issues. Three observations related to planning for the long-term health of the firm struck me.

· When describing