Altman Weil MergerLine tracks law firm mergers of virtually any size, and they report that 2017 is a banner year. Those of us who are embedded in the legal industry knew this, but it’s important to have the data supporting all the water-cooler conversations – and happy hours over Pinot […]
Content Pilot Releases the Full Research Study and Report: “How do they Measure Up? 2016 Global 50 Law Firm Websites: Ten Foundational Best Practices”
DALLAS, TEXAS – Content Pilot LLC announced today that it is making public the results of its 6th comprehensive analysis of the websites of the largest law firms in the world, based on Ten Foundational Best Practices. The 2016 AmLaw Global 50 law firms consist of 40 firms “headquartered” in the […]
What lawyers can learn from CBS Sportscasting legend, Verne Lundquist.
I’ve written a lot of posts that start with, “What lawyers (or law firms) can learn from …” Search by that phrase on my blog and you’ll find posts about fabulous and lousy expensive restaurants, unexpectedly terrific hotel experiences, travel, dentistry, vacuum cleaners, brand launches and more. It’s always grounded and […]
Marketing Technology is the new Black – but success in a law firm requires some rules
I just spoke at the sold-out-standing-room-only LMA Tech Midwest (#LMATech) conference in Chicago. It was the first Legal Marketing Association tech conference held in the Midwest, but it followed in the very successful footsteps of its older brother, LMA Tech, which takes place in San Francisco each year. The audience […]
Content Pilot Announces “2016 Global 50 Law Firm Websites: Ten Foundational Best Practices”
Content Pilot announced that it has begun the research for its next study, “Global 50 Law Firm Websites: Ten Foundational Best Practices.” This is the 6th such study, which focuses on identifying and establishing foundational best practices that matter to visitors, and that, based on client interviews, move the needle […]
When millennials become law firm leaders, how will they communicate to clients?
It’s no surprise that millennials like to text. I do, too, and often I prefer it – and the more deliberate emailing – to speaking on the phone. It just depends on what I need to accomplish. My goal of effective communication (i.e., understanding and being understood) always trumps the medium […]
“Don’t Waste a Perfectly Good Crisis”
"Don't waste a perfectly good crisis, " is what I heard from a law firm managing partner whose firm has recently gone through some challenging times. It's not just a great lesson in optimism, it's important for us all to remember as we encounter and confront challenges – and identify […]
Lawyers and CPAs – This January, resolve to make your bios move the needle – Make them 3-D
Doing anything that moves the needle is hard. All the “I resolve to do this and that (eat more kale / break a sweat / cook more / drink less)” business requires so much diligence and determination that, by now, most resolutions are on the cutting room floor. I used […]
Should we even try to be healthy on Thanksgiving???
For the last several years, I have devoted my Wednesday before Thanksgiving blog post to giving thanks (of course) and food (of course). Three years ago, I shared my “Perfect Mashed Potatoes” and another year my “Cornbread Sausage Dressing” – both are sublime and I urge you to try them. However, […]
Lawyers as the “Wounded Healers” – and other reasons they suffer from depression and addiction – Guest Post by Jim Dolan
Working with lawyers more than 30 years has taught me that they are as different as snowflakes or fingerprints. Any attempt to broadly categorize them as this or that is neither helpful in gaining a better understanding, nor fair. After all, I wouldn’t want someone to look at me and […]
“Lean Data” makes more sense for law firms than big data.
Big Data is getting bigger. According to research firm IDC, big data services and technologies will grow at a compounded rate of 27%, exceeding $32 billion by 2017. The greatest challenge is knowing how to make it work for us in a law firm – how can we learn from it, […]
What law firms can learn from OpenTable’s new Brand
OpenTable has become ubiquitous among busy professionals who want a personal valet to make reservations for us, check menus for gluten-free options, find out what other like-minded diners had to say about food, service, atmosphere and noise – and to fundamentally make our lives easier. The promise they make is […]
Richard Hsu connects with lawyer (a/k/a) celebrities in a unique way (Hsu Untied)
Writing my first blog post in 2015, I wanted to choose a topic that would have broad appeal. I’ve written about technology/IP/M&A lawyer Richard Hsu several times. The first time was nearly three years ago when I first read his definition of strategy. I’m including it here, because every New […]
Law firm innovation – Read the TED takeaways and 10 “Shark Tank” presentations from the 2014 Futures Conference
I am happy to share this “insider’s” view of the 2014 Futures Conference at Suffolk University Law School October 16-17 in Boston. Following Tom Sager’s keynote, three TED-style speakers (Jeff Carr, Abe Geiger and Ron Staudt) each spoke for eight minutes, then 10 facilitated teams of attendees dispersed to classrooms […]
Still buzzing about the 2014 Futures Conference at Suffolk Law School in Boston
If you want a running commentary of the 2014 Futures Conference, search for #COLPM2014 on Twitter. It’s an excellent, real-time, meat-of-the-matter summary of the six TED-style talks, Tom Sager’s keynote, our ten facilitated breakout teams and their “Shark Tank” presentations to our judges. The program was designed around innovative thinking […]
2014 Futures Conference on Legal Innovation will Break the Mold – October 16-17
What happens when you put 150 legal practice innovators together with 10 pioneers and leading-edge thinkers for two days of brainstorming and problem-solving at one of the country’s most innovative law schools? One can only imagine the possibilities! On October 16-17, 2014, The College of Law Practice Management will host […]
Alice died last week. What law firms can learn . . .
If you want to be moved to the core, watch this 11-minute video that is an Academy Award contender for "Best Short Documentary" this Sunday. "The Lady in Number 6" is the story of Alice Herz-Sommer, a 109-year old holocaust survivor and world's oldest pianist. More than 70 years […]
To win more business, don’t underestimate the value of visceral appeal.
For more than two decades we have known that corporate counsel and other buyers of legal services have two levels of decision-making. They make an intellectual decision when creating their short list, evaluating expertise, perceived technical skill, and other features that are important to them – geographical reach, depth, rates […]
What law firms can learn from our New Year’s Eve Dining Experience at Betony in New York
For 15 years I boycotted New Year's Eve, grumbling about it being a night for amateurs. Then I started joining favorite and new friends in New York for a several day celebration that included carefully researched restaurants, theater, museums, shopping, plenty of champagne and spontaneous happenings that fit nicely into […]
Ouch! Thinking about designing a law firm mobile app? Read this review first.
If you are thinking it's a good idea to launch a mobile app for your law firm, first read this review by Jeff Taylor. Jeff is a lawyer in Oklahoma who writes a popular blog called, "The Droid Lawyer." This is a scathing review of Sidley & Austin's mobile app […]
Do you want to work for a man or a woman? New Gallup poll says “a man.”
After seeing Meryl Streep’s always-brilliant performance and her utterly withering glances at her less-than underlings in “The Devil Wears Prada,” I remembered back a few years to an unhappier time in my professional life. The source of my despondency wasn’t entirely a woman to whom I reported, but she played a prominent role. She was […]
Charlatan SEO company gets sued by its unhappy law firm client
From the very first days of Google, Yahoo, MSN and other search engines, lawyers have wanted to appear at the top of search results – “above the fold.” That spawned a slew of hucksters forming companies that promised unwitting lawyers that they could get them to show up on top […]
“Like” law firm Benesch and help fund Red Cross Disaster Relief
Smart law firm Benesch is raising money for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and its Facebook visibility at the same time. If you “like” Benesch, they will donate one dollar – up to $5,000. Such a smart and good move for the law firm. Spread the word, “like” Benesch and […]
What law firms can learn from Banana Joe
On Monday, February 11, no one outside the dog-show world knew of “Banana Joe,” the affenpinscher who won Westminster Dog Show’s platinum crown – “Best in Show.” Two days later,the five-year old super-pooch is ubiquitous, appearing on all the major networks and in every brand name online and print news […]
Embrace Life – The most moving YouTube video
Today's post is not about marketing and business development technology, knowledge or experience management, websites, marketing strategy, lawyers or law firms. It's to share a link of a remarkable and powerful advertising campaign promoting the use of seat belts. It could be one of the finest, most moving ads I've ever […]
2013 advice for law firms to ensure a bright future
My friend and colleague Leigh Dance published a terrific article in AmLaw Daily structured as advice for global law firms. But most of it applies to law firms of any size. Leigh’s advice comes from more than 20 years consulting to corporate legal departments in multinational companies and global law […]
A TED Conference LMA-style – Part 1. Guest post by Allen Fuqua.
If you aren’t a TED-head yet, it’s time you become one. TED Conferences are described by attendees as “The ultimate brain spa” and “A 4-day journey into the future, in the company of those creating it.” TED stands for technology, entertainment and design – three huge subject areas that are shaping […]
Bloomberg Law video — Law firm predictions for 2013 – opportunities for the nimble.
Kent Zimmerman, a consultant with the Zeughauser Group, was featured in an interview with Bloomberg Law’s Lee Pacchia about the state of the legal industry in Q4 2012 and 2013. Using the recent Citi Private Bank Annual Survey of Law Firm Performance data, plus insights gleaned from Zeughauser Group’s law firm […]
Back in America
I've just returned from two weeks touring and cruising Italy, plus other countries that are on the coastlines of the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. It was a great immersion in ancient cultures and centuries-old cathedrals and basilicas, combined with the joy of spontaneous, contemporary exploration and choice-making. But this post isn't about […]
Client service tips that will make a difference in your relationships today – from Ritz Carlton and more
Anyone who has stayed at a Ritz-Carlton property appreciates why the company is twice a winner of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award winner. And if you are fortunate enough to frequent the same hotel, the next time you arrive they make you feel like they missed you — really missed […]
The Twitter logo: 2 years old and over-the-hill
Twitter leaders decided that the old bird was over-the-hill. And too fat. No more tubby, toddler-appropriate tiny “Ts,” either. Logo refreshes aren’t unusual, but they typically happen over decades, not months. For example, take the evolution of the NBC logo (all the NBC logos below are the property of […]
Lawyers (and everyone else), ask yourself: Am I my resume?
With yet another high profile resume-fake (Scott Thompson, who was ousted as Yahoo! CEO after four months among accusations that he lied on his resume about having a computer science degree) I am compelled to write this blog post about telling the truth on your website and other biographies. Whether […]
What law firms can learn from Dyson’s (think vacuum cleaners) anti-branding slur.
British industrial designer, Sir James Dyson, is best known for his iconic bagless vacuum cleaner that he peddles on television. And among frequent travelers who wash their hands in airport restrooms, for the Dyson Airblade, which dries your hands as would the edge of a tornado. But after a recent […]
Where are the Dewey partners now – and how is your firm doing recruiting them?
Late yesterday Greg Lambert published a post on the 3 Geeks and a Law Blog called "Visualizing the Dewey & LeBoeuf Implosion." He includes several charts that track where the Dewey lawyers have landed. While the reports of departures have gone on for months, it's handy to see it all […]
Do the leaders of your law firm use social media? Employees trust leaders who do.
By now, most law firms have inked social media policies, yet leaders’ fears are still cresting at the thought of firm employees’ fingers running amok and damaging the firms’ reputations in some way. It seems this trepidation is a one-way street, however, as BRANDfog’s 2012 Social Media and Leadership Survey […]
Loads of Buzz: What happens if an employer asks for your Facebook password?
Since I first read the story last week of the employer requiring an applicant to share his Facebook password during an interview (a condition for employment), business, government, politicians and loads of lawyers have commented on its appropriateness and legality. The article, in the March 20, 2012 edition of The […]
SMU Law School Law Practice Management Class 2012 – What’s on their minds?
Last week I taught Southern Methodist University’s Law Practice Management class – for the third year in a row. In 2011, the students were mostly 2Ls, but this year, there was an equal mix of 4Es (evening students who have fulltime jobs during the day), second and third years. They […]
How would you transform the legal industry?
Ayelette Robinson, Director of Knowledge Technology at Littler Mendelson, did a guest post on the 3 Geeks and a Law Blog a couple days ago asking, "How would you transform the legal industry?" It got me thinking and I thought I'd carry her idea to my blog and pose it to […]
“2012 CFO Outlook” – A survey by Merrill Lynch and Bank of America – What does this mean for law firms?
Now that the holidays are behind us, let’s get down to some serious business – and some prognosticating about what law firms’ business and financial lives might be like this year. The bottom line is that the CFO respondents (600 of them from corporate America) are concerned and have low confidence […]
Get inspired: How working together makes World AIDS Day a true celebration
Most of us know someone who knows someone who loved someone who died of AIDS. Someone's father, brother, son or husband. Today is World AIDS Day, and, after nearly three decades of death and sadness, I think today is a day worth celebrating. World AIDS Day was first conceived by the World […]