The topic of law firm succession is a hot one-discussed daily by commentators and law firm leaders alike. Of course, succession comes in two primary forms; client relationship succession and leadership succession. For many firm leaders, client relationship succession seems to have a heightened priority. But given the changing nature of the legal industry, a
Improving Your Law Firm’s Growth Prospects-The Importance of Discipline
For many law firms client expectations, increased competition (from traditional and non-traditional sources) and unreliable demand present formidable challenges. These challenges can be compounded as a firm’s senior lawyers age and succession gets added to a firm’s “to do” list.
Some firms have responded to these issues by growing through lateral hiring or merger
Avoiding the Unplanned Law Firm Closure-Five Steps Every Law Firm Should Take
As the calendar year comes to a close, there is a lot to do at most law firms. Activities like collecting bills, distributing profits and casting next year’s budget can occupy many a leadership team. The tasks at hand can be time consuming and all engrossing. Given the importance of these short-term issues, thinking about
Law Firms and Retiring Partners-The Issues Extend Beyond the Financial Ones
At a growing number of law firms, the Boomer generation is reaching the age when retirement among the ranks has partners leaving in increasing numbers. Recent writings, including Debra Cassens Weiss‘ As Baby Boomer partners retire, law firms face increasing costs and client issues, have noted the numerous and significant financial issues for
Law Firm Succession Planning and the Millennial Generation-Covering Achilles’ Heel
Last week saw Vault.com release its 2017 survey of the best law firms to work for and O’Melveny and Myers is the new reigning champion. Among quality of life factors that matter to many of today’s associates, the firm scored first in satisfaction and honors, and placed second in firm culture, leadership transparency and substantive
Boomer Law Firms: Some Demographic Challenges
Ward Bower’s Existential Threats to Law Firms provides an excellent review about a few of the economic and demographic issues that threaten today’s law firms. As Mr. Bower notes, some of the law firms previously fixtures in league tables and in the AmLaw 200 have either failed, been acquired or otherwise have disappeared from
Law Firm Succession Planning-What Does the Future Hold?
Law firm succession, whether leadership or client focused, has been an issue for law firms for a long time. Recent articles written about the legal industry suggest that succession will be different if not more difficult in the future.
At the risk of waxing about the “good old days,” it is arguable that operating a
Law Firm Succession Planning-Preparing for the Difficult Conversation
Aric Press’ recent piece on lawyer retirement is excellent in identifying some of the subtle challenges for law firms dealing with Boomer departure. Press’ Is it Time for You to Go, Joe? describes the difficult conversation faced by law firm leadership seeking to transition senior lawyers and their practices. Press goes on to observe
Law Firm Succession Planning 2015: Leadership’s Hidden Challenge (Part Two)
As discussed in my last post, Law Firm Succession Planning 2015: Leadership’s Hidden Challenge (Part One), the confluence of upbeat economic news with generational differences in the lawyer ranks presents a problem for law firm leaders not having an institutional succession plan. The issue is not just theoretical-Altman Weil’s 2015 Law Firms in
Law Firm Succession Planning 2015: Leadership’s Hidden Challenge (Part One)
Altman Weil’s 2015 Law Firms in Transition report recently came out and as usual it offers interesting and valuable information about the law firm industry as well as the perceptions and attitudes of law firm leaders. One fact noted by AW in its report is that in 2015 much of the industry is enjoying