At many law firms that recognize the need for succession planning, preparation for leadership succession receives too little attention. Succession planning can languish for various reasons. In some instances, the press of regular law firm business distracts existing leadership from the issue. In other cases, the topic is an uncomfortable one so discussions are avoided.
Law Firm Succession-A Future Leader’s Job Description
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 Merger or Combination-A Solution That Can Suit Many Situations
As we have seen recently, law firm combinations have continued at a brisk pace. In layman’s terms, most of the combinations are referred to as mergers although many are at best “merger-like.” Indeed, “true” mergers appear to be the exception and not the rule as law firm combinations continue to be announced.
Gina Passarella wrote
Managing in Today’s Changing Legal Services Market-How to Avoid Obsolescence
Another year for law firms is in the books and the numbers, to state it mildly, do not signal a return to the pre-2008 halcyon days. Based on a report from the respected Georgetown Law Center for the Study of the Legal Profession, it appears that challenges to the legal profession continue and are
Law Firm Succession-Key Elements for Today and Tomorrow
Law firms today and in the future must deal with a shifting legal services market that makes succession a more formidable task. Succession is not simply finding a way to deliver the gold watch with dignity and promoting firm-wide acclamation for the new leader. No, it is a lot more as recent reports and analyses