Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
The Importance of Change Management In Law Firms: Winning Lawyers' Support for Behavioral Change
As a former Chief Marketing Officer and now an advisor to law firms at 742 Advisors, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges of implementing meaningful change in legal organizations. Even the most innovative ideas can fall flat if attorneys aren't on board. Without champions driving initiatives forward, progress stalls, other fires burn brighter, and opportunities are lost.
Law firms, based on precedent, steeped in tradition, and historically resistant to disruption, often struggle with change management. Yet, in today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape, adapting to new technologies, processes and client expectations is no longer optional — it’s essential for survival. But change management is critical to stay competitive and thrive in an increasingly shifting marketplace.
Why Change Management Matters In Law Firms
The legal profession is uniquely resistant to change due to its deeply ingrained culture of precedent and risk aversion. Research from CARET Legal indicates that only 38% of people enjoy stepping out of their comfort zones, while the remaining 62% prefer to avoid it — a tendency amplified in law firms where tradition dominates decision-making. Moreover, according to a Harvard Law study, 47% of law firms cite "organizational issues," such as cultural resistance and lack of strategy, as top barriers to internal change.
However, the need for adaptation is undeniable, as noted:
- Client Demands: Clients are increasingly bringing legal work in-house (33%), seeking better control over costs and outcomes (BigHand). Firms that fail to adapt risk losing business.
- Attrition Risks: High levels of attrition persist across the legal sector — 69% of firms report increased or steady attrition rates over the past year (BigHand).
- Technology Disruption: Digital transformation is reshaping how legal services are delivered. Firms that embrace technology gain efficiency and competitive advantages, while those that resist risk obsolescence (CARET Legal).
Whether it’s adopting new technologies or rethinking workflows, successful change management requires a structured approach that aligns strategy with execution while addressing attorneys' concerns.
Four Strategies to Secure Attorney Buy-In
1. Leverage Data to Build a Compelling Case
This premium content is locked for Marketing the Law Firm subscribers only
ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
- 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
Already a have an account? Sign In Now Log In Now
For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later
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
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
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.
Compliance Officers: Recent Regulatory Guidance and Enforcement Actions and Mitigating the Risk of Personal Liability
This article explores legal developments over the past year that may impact compliance officer personal liability.
Bankruptcy Sales: Finding a Diamond In the Rough
There is no efficient market for the sale of bankruptcy assets. Inefficient markets yield a transactional drag, potentially dampening the ability of debtors and trustees to maximize value for creditors. This article identifies ways in which investors may more easily discover bankruptcy asset sales.