Insights
The Insights series draws upon our collective consulting experience to address topics that we consider of current interest to the senior management of law firms.
But We’ve Always Done It This Way …
Every firm likely has a sacred cow or two or three. The challenge, and the opportunity, is to make sure those sacred cows continue to serve the firm well over time.
What is the Meaning of Equity?
Equity in law firms carries many meanings. The key to promoting a sense of fairness in partnership thinking about equity is to better define the expectations of full equity owners, while creating space for those high value partners contributing in more individualized ways.
Planning for the Next Downturn
While the precise timing of a downturn may be impossible to predict, it is important for law firm leaders to prepare well in advance, and that time is now. It is unlikely that the next downturn will be as sharp or as lengthy as the crisis of 2008, but law firms are increasingly sensitive to market forces, so preparation is critical.
Is Law Firm Leadership Too Great a Sacrifice?
The value of strong law firm leadership is at a premium today and while many firms have sought to develop younger partners as leaders, some of these individuals are opting out because law firm leadership appears to be too great a sacrifice. Ensuring that the right partners are serving in the roles and avoiding future leadership gaps will require addressing leadership disincentives today.
Evaluating Unanticipated Growth Opportunities
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.
The Growth Imperative
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 is Law Firm Culture?
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.
Insights from Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie’s Managing Partner on Regional Firm Growth and Market Positioning
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.
