Communication and Why It Matters
September 02, 2017
The art of speaking, understanding, asking and developing dialogue has been eliminated in this fast-paced, quick-reply, "do it now" universe we now live in. Sure, we can communicate around the world in seconds, and conduct business at extraordinary speed; however we have lost the "human" elements of conversation. And it matters!
DLA Piper's Hack Attack Could Cost 'Millions'
August 02, 2017
At press time, DLA Piper was still recovering from its massive cyberattack, with insurance brokers claiming that the resulting upheaval could lead to costs "in the millions" for the firm.
Third-Party Cybersecurity Strategies Critical to Preparedness
August 01, 2017
This article examines the guidelines published by Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on managing outsourcing risk, along with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) 2013 OCC Bulletin 2013-29 and the supplemental Jan. 24, 2017, examination procedures, which are designed to help bank examiners tailor the examinations of national banks and federal savings associations determine the scope of the third-party risk management examination.
Standing at the Crossroads of Legal Innovation
August 01, 2017
The law firm business model of the past is under attack. Slowly, private legal is responding with things like developing knowledge management systems, establishing jobs for data analysts who can establish pricing of services and beginning to look at ways to outline workflows and processes. Unfortunately, corporate clients are impatient and are beginning to push harder for improved efficiency and increased speed of service delivery.
3 Tips for Handling the Difficult Decision to Downsize
August 01, 2017
By handling all involuntary terminations with professionalism and formality, law firms can limit the potential for conflict and give proper attention to the potential ethical and legal issues. Here are three tips for handling the transition of attorneys and staff from the firm.
Motivating Attorneys to Establish Firm Objectives
August 01, 2017
Last month, the author discussed the fact that the two major challenges now facing lawyer management in many mid-size firms are: 1) how to motivate the non-entrepreneurial attorneys to achieve and to perform; and 2) how to retain the "over-achiever" attorneys so they will remain with the firm. He concludes this discussion herein.
The Law Firm Value Proposition
August 01, 2017
<b><I>How to Successfully Hire Lateral Partners</I></b></><p>Every firm the author meets with has a long list of must-haves when it comes to potential lateral hiring, yet very few have defined their value proposition or can live up to an equally long list of offerings for a lateral partner to consider<I>them.</I> Here are his suggestions for successfully hiring laterals.
Motivating Attorneys to Accomplish Firm Objectives
August 01, 2017
The two major challenges now facing lawyer management in many of these mid-size firms are: 1) how to motivate the non-entrepreneurial attorneys to achieve and to perform; and 2) how to retain the "over-achiever" attorneys so they will remain with the firm.
The Business Intelligence to Competitive Intelligence Continuum
August 01, 2017
Where law firm leaders' "gut judgement" was once sufficient, running the business well now requires solid intelligence (yes, Big Law is a business). Decisions must balance the demands of clients with those of the partnership. Law firms are awash in data, but harnessing it to support sound decision-making is a major challenge.