Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Coaching: A Shift in Law Firm Culture

By Virginia Bianco-Mathis and William Schurgin
February 28, 2015

Seyfarth Shaw ' an international law firm with 800 attorneys and offices in the United States, Europe, China, and Australia ' takes great pride in its innovative client-focused culture. This sustained effort has already led to a robust program of competency models, multi-rater performance appraisals, customer service initiatives, mentoring, summer fellowship positions, Lean Six Sigma certification, and “best place to work” awards. However, like other firms, Seyfarth found that developing employees, increasing engagement, addressing generational changes, and matching associate objectives with firm goals is a constant challenge.

Many firms are trying to adopt the methods that successful corporations use to cultivate talent (many addressed in this newsletter). One of Seyfarth's seasoned partners joined with a consulting firm (Strategic Performance Group, strategicperformance.net), and developed an associate coaching program that has proven effective in changing the culture and positively influencing law firm performance. Here's what we learned:

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations Image

This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.

The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance Programs Image

The parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.

CLE Shouldn't Be the Only Mandatory Training for Attorneys Image

Each stage of an attorney's career offers opportunities for a curriculum that addresses both the individual's and the firm's need to drive success.

Discovery of Claim Construction and Infringement Analysis May be Compelled Prior to a Markman Hearing Image

A defendant in a patent infringement suit may, during discovery and prior to a <i>Markman</i> hearing, compel the plaintiff to produce claim charts, claim constructions, and element-by-element infringement analyses.