By Co-Founding Principals Susan Raridon Lambreth and Joseph Altonji Co-author Susan Raridon Lambreth wrote an article for the American Bar Association Journal (ABA Journal) in 1989 about the future of law firms over the next...more
While the post-pandemic merger pace is slower than many expected, law firm combinations are clearly on the rise. More significantly, recent announcements suggest that the number of larger combinations are also on the rise,...more
Since the COVID epidemic took hold there has been a significant reduction in the number of law firm mergers and acquisition transactions announced, and an even greater drop off in larger transactions. Few deals announced...more
After more than three decades advising law firm leaders on improving their firm’s overall position and success, a number of frustrations have proven to be more than just isolated aberrations: As a result, over multiple years...more
The first quarter is behind us and the legal industry as a whole seems to be doing reasonably well. Early reports on AMLaw firm performance suggests that at least most (though not all) of the larger firms are doing very...more
The three wise monkeys of Buddhist tradition were said to represent the positive personality trait of not fixating on the negative or on evil thoughts. But in the business world, and certainly in the legal industry, a less...more
Can 2018 really be here already? A year ago, in “2017 – The Year to Try Something New?”, I argued that 2017 was already a year of change outside the legal profession (“The Cubs are national champions and University of...more
We’re coming up on the 10th year-end closing since the financial crash got rolling, and as many as two-thirds of American law firms are still not back to pre-recession demand levels, according to some reports. But, some are...more
Thanksgiving is here again – just a bit earlier this year than usual. As I sit in Chicago looking out at the dark grey skies, I can’t help but think that winter is coming – soon. It’s hard to believe another year is almost...more
It’s hard to believe but it’s here – the fourth quarter. The time when most law firms become intensely focused on the immediate, short-term, administrative and highly internal management needs of their organization. For...more
Client satisfaction is dead – or you may be, if that is your primary focus as an organization. This seemingly radical statement is but one conclusion you might draw from reading Value As a Service, a fabulous new book by Rob...more
It seems law firms everywhere are going back to basics. Who are we and where are we going? What is our strategy? What are we trying to do? Simple questions, all, but not so simple to answer – at least if you want to answer...more
In multiple posts over the last several weeks, including “Succession Planning Challenges – No Surprises Here” and “The Impact of Succession Challenges in Smaller Markets”, my partner, Mike Short, has explored various aspects...more
The creative and entrepreneurial juices in the legal industry are boiling in the early days of 2016, particularly in the litigation space. One month into the New Year, there have been at least four high-profile boutique...more