The Law Firm Management Committee monthly survey series: February 2021.
Released on Apr 27, 2021
Looked at from the outside, lawyers may appear to be individual experts. Alone, or close to it. Self-sufficient and self-reliant. The expert to be called upon for a particular task or project. A student attending a law faculty is not likely to be disabused of this perception. For many lawyers in private practice around the world, this is indeed the reality.
Two of the main challenges general counsels (GCs) have faced in 2020 are the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated economic downturn. This session looked at how these challenges have affected the role of the GC and global business as a whole, as well as how in-house legal leaders are adapting to a new climate. As well as providing these insights, the panel will explore the opportunities for law firms arising from the continued impact of Covid-19.
The session addressed trends in talent retention, with a particular focus on what is emerging in the wake of the pandemic. Identifying resilient talent becomes an important challenge, as does rethinking remuneration packages and adopting new ways to ensure that culture and social engagement survive.
This session looked at the key themes of lawyers unintentionally misusing, wilfully turning a blind eye to, or knowingly abusing claims of privilege; and what the legal profession can do to prevent misuse and abuse of privilege.
A session which looked at the biggest challenges and trends in relation to the acquisition and use of data for lawyers in Latin America.
This session discussed the shift towards a more balanced and diverse workplace for the legal profession in order to attract and retain talent from the millennial generation.
This session looked at the motivations for partner moves; lateral hiring strategies; and how to ensure the lateral hire can benefit the firm, and more.
This session looked at at the IBA's Us Too? Bullying and Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession report, and the culture change required in the legal sector.
A message from the Editor of the Law Firm Management Committee, December 2020.
Up until spring of 2020, stories abounded in the legal and lay press about the toxic culture in the legal profession. Mental health issues were on the rise, bullying and harassment were all too common, and lawyers were working to the point of burnout. This session explored these issues from different perspectives: the young lawyer, the female lawyer, the senior lawyer and the sole practitioner in a developing country.
Continuing developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) have raised concerns that algorithms may be unfairly or even illegally biased. This session allowed participants to hear from and interact with leading specialists in the fields of machine learning and AI as they intersect with ethics and the law, in order to understand if eliminating bias in machine learning is possible or even desirable from a technical standpoint.
This session addressed the advantages and disadvantages of these firms, especially during times of change and crisis; how to retain talent and be profitable.
This roundtable session brought together law firm leaders from five countries on five continents to talk about shared and divergent experiences living through a global pandemic and a global economic recession.
Highlights of the webinar held on 30 September, looking at the challenges that individuals within law firms are facing at the moment and what true leadership can do to help with these challenges.
A message from the Editor of the Law Firm Management Committee, October 2020.
Highlights of the webinar held on 29 September 2020, discussing the various factors which contribute to law firm culture, and the role of nationality and local customs.
Survey results on whether law firms of all sizes would be able to go back to ‘business as usual’ after an initial recovery phase, or whether the post-Covid-19 crisis world will witness profound and lasting changes in law firm work and structures.
Highlights of the webinar held on 8 July 2020, discussing new methods lawyers and marketers are using for marketing and business development under the new paradigm.
An article on the abrupt shift to a remote-working environment which has led to an acceleration of digital transformation projects, and its lasting effects on client-relationship management, internal collaboration and the organisational structures of law firms.
Highlights of the webinar held on 21 April 2020, discussing the lawyers' survival guide to Covid-19, with reflections from legal practitioners and industry specialists from across the globe.
Highlights of the webinar held on 9 June 2020, discussing the best strategies for dealing with and coming out of lockdown, and what lies ahead.
Highlights of the webinar held on 23 June 2020, discussing how this crisis has been different from other crises, and how we can use this time to make the great leap forward in terms of our law firms' business.
Highlights of the webinar held on 23 July 2020, discussing the reopening of offices, and whether there is an appetite among staff to go back to the office.
Maintaining financial and structural stability of law firms- Law Firm Management Committee newsletter article, April 2020
How are Bar leaders leading Covid-19 crisis management efforts- Law Firm Management Committee newsletter article, April 2020
From the Editor- Law Firm Management Committee newsletter article, April 2020
Thoughts on how to develop relationships between in-house legal departments and law firms during the Covid-19 emergency
Challenging times bring challenging negotiations- Law Firm Management Committee newsletter article, April 2020
From the Co-Chairs - Law Firm Management Committee newsletter article, April 2020