Nicole Bradick - Get Lean: Agile Lawyering and Staffing
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Transcript of Nicole Bradick - Get Lean: Agile Lawyering and Staffing
Clio Cloud Conference 2014
SEPTEMBER 22 – 23, 2014 · CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Clio Cloud Conference 2014 #ClioCloud9
“Get Lean”by Nicole Bradick
@NicoleBradick
Is your firm doing any of the following to increase efficiency of legal service delivery?
Altman Weil 2014 Law Firms in Transition
61.1
60.1
46.2
43.1
41.3
29.9
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Using tech to replace human resources
Knowledge Management
Shifting work to contract/temporarylawyers
Project management training
Shifting work from lawyers toparaprofessionals
Reengineering work processes
Many law firms feel pressure to change elements of their business model to stay competitive in the post-recession economy. Has your firm significantly changed its strategic approach to lawyer staffing strategy?
Altman Weil 2014 Law Firms in Transition
46%
27%
27% Yes
No
UnderConsideration
Altman Weil 2014 Law Firms in Transition
Is your firm currently pursuing any of the following alternative staffing strategies?
59.4
55.5
48.1
19.8
11.7
10.3
Using contract lawyers
Using part-time lawyers
Using staff lawyers
Outsourcing non-lawyerfunctions
Low-cost center for back office
Outsourcing legal work
Are your efforts to change your lawyer staffing strategy driven primarily by: - Internal factors (e.g., improved profitability) - External factors (e.g., client or market pressure)
55%
45% Internal
External
Altman Weil 2014 Law Firms in Transition
What clients want
Value
Greater Control
Greater Financial
Accountability
Efficient production of commoditized
work
Firm Benefits
No risk of idle workforce
Avoid overhead costs of employment
Focus on Business Development
Fight off competition from
insourcing/alternative providers/DIY services
Quick adjustment to market changes
Change your mindset about what it means to serve your clients
Review state bar rules and opinions, discuss with carrier.
Source a good provider, individual, or firm.
Break projects down into discrete functions and delegate appropriately
Get comfortable giving up control -manage by trust
2014 - MBO Partners Inc.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
2013 2018
Number of independent workers(millions)
“Until the profession decides to pay associates what they are really worth in the marketplace, young lawyers will continue to be too expensive and often misaligned with client value perceptions. Law firms need to stop assuming that they need a new associate whenever work volume is pressing. If a practice group or office asks for a new associate, it should be able to rigorously justify the expense. Begin to consider different kinds of lawyers (e.g., part-time, contract, etc.) who can fill the same needs much less expensively.”
Clio Cloud Conference 2014 #ClioCloud9
Thank you for listening!