Subjective And Objective Compensation Systems
October 02, 2013
As we sift through the results from our recently published Partner Compensation System Survey, the data draws us to consider a wide variety of questions about this vitally important management and leadership system. While the majority of our survey respondents report using some form of subjective system, about 15% of the firms report that they use a purely formulaic/objective system.
The 'Losing' Side of Legal Business Trends
September 25, 2013
Although happening slowly, project management and process improvement efforts are gradually improving the efficiency of U.S. legal practice, off-setting whatever demand growth the economy would otherwise have produced.
At the Intersection: Lawyer Assessment and Client Development
September 25, 2013
The profound changes in today's legal landscape suggest that it's time to reevaluate the utility of tools that objectively describe the operative style factors that affect lawyer success and lawyer-client business relationships.
Alternative Fee Agreements
September 02, 2013
There have been a spate of reports the last few months on alternative fee agreements, or AFAs as they are also known. Subsequently these have stirred a tremendous amount of conversation in the industry. Some of the conversation is helpful, some of it is constructively critical, and some of it is quite simply confusing.
Taking Control of Your Partner Education Program
September 02, 2013
After three years of law school, hours spent studying for the Bar exam, and many years toiling away at the associate ranks, new partners often believe that there is nothing new they need to be taught about being a principle of a law firm. The resistance to spending time in a classroom is palpable. It is viewed as tedious and, since partners are rarely compensated for learning or personal development, they are less inclined to "waste" their time.
A Value Proposition Aided by Technology
September 02, 2013
While technology, data and the resulting "insights" are at the core of any successful client-law firm relationship, perhaps the real underlying factors for success are communication, collaboration and trust. The question for many legal professionals remains which comes first, the technology or the trust?
Once the Marriage Ends
August 28, 2013
The message to those attempting to fix their post-divorce support obligations in a prenuptial agreement is to be thoughtful, to be thorough, and to fully contemplate the full panoply of events that might occur between marriage and divorce to affect a party's ability to support himself or herself.
Nurture Internal Relationships
August 27, 2013
It is much easier to build a relationship with, and get work from, someone you know and who knows you and your capabilities than going after someone with whom you have no bond at all.
