Lean Adviser Legal

July 28, 2023 | Lean Adviser

As you grab your 1st coffee of the day, or maybe your 3rd, do you ever wonder why your law firm gives out free coffee? Is it for your well-being or even mental alertness? Is it by convention? Is it magnanimity? it's none of the above. It's all about perceived productivity. It's so you don't leave the office and go to the coffee shop across the street.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

July 21, 2023 | Lean Adviser

State of the Industry Part 6 GCs don't get paid any more, however many stakeholders they support or however many hours in the day, evening, or a weekend it takes to do so.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

July 14, 2023 | Lean Adviser

State of the Industry Part 5 Law firms store information about their corporate clients. This can include trade secrets, banking and financial data, information on their suppliers and customers. All of this can be highly sought after by bad actors.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

July 07, 2023 | Lean Adviser

It is well-documented that clients are unhappy with law firms. The reverse is also true. Law firms complain bitterly about lack of loyalty from clients. They're right, there is none. Nor should there be. In an era of panel reductions, there are plenty of things law firms can do to avoid the cut, but praying for loyalty isn't one of them.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

June 30, 2023 | Lean Adviser

State of the Industry Part 4 The reason in house departments keep saying they have it tough is because they do. For outside counsel, this presents an opportunity, and it's not one addressed with courtside seats. You have to pay close attention, ask the right questions and respond.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

June 23, 2023 | Lean Adviser

State of the Industry Part 3 GCs are faced with a tsunami of new regulations from regulators and agencies all over the map. To the board, it's the GC's job to understand the operating environment and keep the company on the right side of regulators. How hard can that be? Incredibly hard.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

June 16, 2023 | Lean Adviser

State of the Industry Part 2 GCs tell us they are focused on "bringing measurable value to the business," but how can you help them do this and get meaningful credit for it?

By Lean Adviser Legal

4 minute read

June 09, 2023 | Lean Adviser

State of the Industry Part 1: Introduction Specialize in your clients, understand their pressures and make tackling them your first priority. There's no avoiding an economic reality, but if you want to navigate the best path through it, focus on the clients and their problems. This lesson begins the series on the 6 most immediate GC challenges.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

June 02, 2023 | Lean Adviser

In any case, project or scenario, lean law says to identify the durable realities, accept them and work with them. When it comes to economic cycles, Big Law does the opposite.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

May 26, 2023 | Lean Adviser

As in any job, so in law, some unpleasant parts of the job are occupational hazards. Maybe a better question for lawyers is how best to live with the job? Is there a way of practicing law, a way that's less toxic, more fulfilling and healthier? Can law firms provide that?

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read