Lean Adviser Legal

March 18, 2022 | Lean Adviser

If risk is unexpected and unmanaged, it can imperil not only the project, but also the client relationship and so affect long term sustainable profitability. Factor risk into your work and advice and earn the trust of your clients.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

March 11, 2022 | Lean Adviser

The traditional law firm definition is along the lines of increase rates, manage capacity and drive hours. This formula isn't so much wrong, as unsustainable. Why, because it's all about the law firm at the expense of everything else.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

March 04, 2022 | Lean Adviser

Profit = Client Focus + Efficiency + Effectiveness, or P=CE2. In other words, specialize in your clients and then embrace efficiency and effectiveness in every task, every day. Just as Newton had his first law of motion, so for law firms this is the First Law of Profitability.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

February 25, 2022 | Lean Adviser

Law firms who commit to lean operations can offer training and mentoring in these skills to associates. This enables associates to make efficient use of their time and keeps them engaged, involved and innovative.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

February 18, 2022 | Lean Adviser

Now that building has become optional in the definition of a law firm, we can see the real essence of a law firm — people creating profit. That's it. So let's examine the relationship between people and profit.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

February 11, 2022 | Lean Adviser

Culture is the first weapon in retention. Not just culture in a broad sense, but the specifics of assuring career development. It's not just associates who want to see this, many clients do too.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

February 04, 2022 | Lean Adviser

Most firms have a mentoring program in place. But making it effective is a whole other issue. What we're hearing from associates is that it's either not happening or it's ineffective. Mentoring isn't a task, or a box to tick. It's an imperative, a privilege, and an opportunity to build long-lasting bonds.

By Lean Adviser Legal

4 minute read

January 28, 2022 | Lean Adviser

Associates aren't just fee-earners, they are also people, and they get thrust into a job which is stressful and challenging. If they don't like it, or if the environment next door looks brighter, they'll leave. The armor which associates need, on a daily basis, isn't real estate, restitution or even restrictive covenants, it's resilience.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

January 21, 2022 | Lean Adviser

For many firms, times are good. Demand is up, revenues are up, and profitability is up. Their challenge is how to get equipped with lawyers to service the demand during a talent war, and then ideally get the talent to show up at the office periodically. What associates want? Meaningful inclusion is a big part of it.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

January 14, 2022 | Lean Adviser

This is the season for business plans, budgets and compensation discussions. Goal setting, managing expectations, identifying resources, and planning methods of work-delivery -- this is essentially what law firm leaders are contemplating at the beginning of the year.

By Lean Adviser Legal

4 minute read