Lean Adviser Legal

October 11, 2024 | Lean Adviser

Value is subjective — it's what you're willing to pay, and that in turn is driven by two variables: First, the nature of the client's problem; and second, how effectively and efficiently the law firm can solve it. Sometimes it's better to have one "rock-star" partner look at the problem for an hour at $2,500 and fix it, versus a team of associates at lower rates look at it for a week and fail to solve it.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

October 03, 2024 | Lean Adviser

There isn't a client anywhere who allocates work based on "revenue per lawyer" or "profit per equity partner." These things may be the results of good performance — but they don't define performance. Even so, these metrics are firmly established as the tools which law firms use to judge their own success.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

September 25, 2024 | Lean Adviser

Innovation Series, Part 3 To adopt a meaningful innovation, which elevates client service, a law firm must be more than willing, they also have to be ready. Culturally, structurally and institutionally.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

September 20, 2024 | Lean Adviser

Innovation Series, Part 2 A firm can invest in the best and most brilliant legal innovation, but if they can't get it into the attorney workstream and operating effectively, then it won't realize value.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

September 13, 2024 | Lean Adviser

Innovation Series, Part 1 When it comes to legal innovation, clients aren't satisfied by impressive metrics or even testimonials. They look for specific benefits to them, measured in terms of quality, value and outcomes. So it's worth understanding what a legal innovation is, and what types clients value.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

September 06, 2024 | Lean Adviser

What young lawyers want — particularly young associates — is to connect. They want interaction, mentoring and meaningful engagement with partners, and indeed with clients. Many would say they don't care what time of the day, or day of the week, what they most cherish is connection and access.

By Lean Adviser Legal

2 minute read

July 19, 2024 | Lean Adviser

Just go ahead and say what you're planning to do. It might feel strange, even counter-intuitive, but go ahead and share. Next time you're speaking with your client, either about the get-go on a new assignment, or at a milestone moment, have the conversation. Tell them the plan, the expected outcome and the likely cost.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

July 12, 2024 | Lean Adviser

Risk Series Part 4 It's not that AI will replace lawyers, but rather that lawyers who use AI will replace those who don't. So yes there are risks, and no, they're not fully understood. But as generative AI develops, the risks will decrease, and the benefits of carefully implemented, monitored and reviewed AI will outweigh those risks.

By Lean Adviser Legal

5 minute read

July 05, 2024 | Lean Adviser

Risk Series Part 3 Our profession is a minefield of risk, and the frequency and severity of malpractice claims grow year-on-year. Insurers live at the very end of the process. They exist to clean up the mess when it goes wrong. As we shall see in this lesson, that gives them a very different perspective on risk from law firms and attorneys.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read

June 28, 2024 | Lean Adviser

Risk Series Part 2 Try to think of the client as a business partner, not a potential predator. Instead of looking inwards at the potential risks for the firm, look outwards at the risks attendant to the project from the client's standpoint. Try to understand their risk appetite, advise through that prism and help the client navigate those risks.

By Lean Adviser Legal

3 minute read