Partner Compensation
November 30, 2013
How do you determine partner compensation at your law firm? You certainly look at each partner's originations, working attorney receipts and billable hours. But what about his or her excellent client service, strong leadership, successful staff development efforts and keen technical skills?
The 'Silly Season'
November 30, 2013
Almost 30 years ago when I began my career consulting to law firms, the then managing partner of Donovan Leisure Newton & Irving used that term to refer to the months of October through December. It was his way of pointing out to his fellow partners that the necessary activities of practice management that so many of them had avoided for the first nine or 10 months of the year now had to be addressed.
Can Law Firms Be Lean?
November 30, 2013
For those who have had some exposure to <i>Total Quality Management</i>, the reference to <i>Lean</i> or <i>Lean Six Sigma</i> might be familiar. Total Quality Management (TQM), famed for advancing Japanese firms to remarkable achievement in product quality, was also pursued in the service industry.
Improving e-Discovery in Global Enterprises Through Remote Data Collection
November 30, 2013
While the document review aspect of the discovery process generally receives the majority of attention because of the expense and time involved, the collection of potentially responsive electronically stored information (ESI) can also represent a major expense and logistical challenge.
Managing Your Money: What Comes After Leaning In
November 26, 2013
Female law partners are not saving appropriately, putting money into wise investments or taking advantage of employer-sponsored retirement accounts. Further, they have little idea if they are on track toward a comfortable retirement.
Restrictive Covenants and Partnership Agreements
November 02, 2013
This article examines the ethics of common partnership restrictive covenants, including non-compete and forfeiture-for-competition provisions, notice of withdrawal requirements, prohibitions on solicitation of partners, employees, and clients, and restrictions on using and taking documents, and suggests ways for firms to ethically protect the firm's interests.
Can Law Firms Be Lean?
November 02, 2013
For those who have had some exposure to Total Quality Management , the reference to Lean or Lean Six Sigma might be familiar. In principle, the necessary ingredients to achieve Six Sigma are defined objects, measurable standards and a systematic approach.
Salespeople at Law Firms?
November 02, 2013
Research over the past four years is showing a slow-moving upward trend of law firms hiring professional salespeople. This trend spans all sizes of firms, from small to global. The backgrounds of these professionals varies; primarily, they come to firms from a solid background of success in the sales world, many having worked against assigned quotas and on partial commission.
