Mergers among law firms are continuing to occur at a high rate. And more firms than those completing mergers are engaged in exploratory discussions to determine if a merger makes strategic and business sense. Periodically assessing the firm’s competitive position and strategic priorities can help to assess merger inquiries from the perspective of what is best for the firm.
For many law firms growth offers the opportunity to preserve or improve competitiveness, economics and market position in a rapidly evolving industry. For many firms today, the question is not whether law firms should be pursuing growth. Growth, in one form or another, is a strategic imperative. The question is how firms will achieve it.
What does culture really mean? And is preserving it always a good thing? While culture can certainly provide the glue that ties lawyers to the firm, there are always lawyers who choose to go elsewhere as a result of the culture. And different generations of the firm may value different aspects of the culture.
This month we continue our interview series of legal industry leaders. This interview is with Ken Van Winkle, the Managing Partner of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, where he has served as Managing Partner since 2004 and practiced law since 1987.
Volatility has become more common in the legal industry and firms must be prepared to deal with the consequences. As we potentially head in to tougher economic times, leaders need to be thinking ahead and managing proactively.