Leaders in Legal Business
/
The legal profession is changing. Perhaps you've noticed? What was once a profession is now most assuredly a business. Of course, it's always been a business, but when things are going so well that both buyers and sellers are content, we can convince ourselves that we're above the challenges faced by lesser mortals. Things like economics, and consumer behavior, and profits in alignment to client satisfaction rather than in opposition. Luckily, the disruptive forces impacting the legal profession are pretty routine for anyone who studies business cycles. Those who are most challenged when facing a changed future are not those who have never faced these changes previously, for they will turn to expert guides. Those who will struggle mightily are those who refuse to believe lessons from other business segments apply, and they will blindly lurch from strategy to strategy in a vain attempt to maintain profits and market position while clinging to outdated business practices.
Given my career history as a corporate executive and former CEO who now shares my business training with law firm and law department leaders, I was invited to contribute to a new publication, "Leaders in Legal Business," compiled by industry veteran Stephen McGarry. In his words:
"Is law a profession, a business, or both? For decades, every law school, bar association, and law society has posed this proverbial question. The fact is that today, the profession of law annually generates more than $700 billion dollars in revenue. There are several million people employed in the legal profession, and hundreds of thousands support it through products and services. Some would even argue that the profession of law has morphed into the business of law.
Twenty-eight distinguished leaders in legal business discuss the history, development and the future of the services and products they, their firms, companies and associations provide the profession of law. This is must reading for the legal profession."
I am pleased to be in the company of some of the fantastic minds helping to guide the profession today, many of whom are good friends as well as colleagues and thought leaders I turn to for inspiration. Take a look at this roster. It's like a live concert with the remaining Beatles joining the Rolling Stones on stage to play the entire Taylor Swift catalog, or something like that!
Here's the lineup:
| Chapter 1 – Introduction to Leaders in Legal Business | ||
| Stephen McGarry – Founder Lex Mundi, WSG and HG.org | ||
| Overview – Legal Business Services | Jordan Furlong – Principal, Edge International | |
| Chapter 2 – Legal Business Publishers and Publications | ||
| Publishers on the Business of Law | Bill Carter – President and CEO, ALM | |
| Legal Business News | John Malpas – Publisher, Legal Week, Incisive Media | |
| Law Firm Directories and Rankings | Derek Benton – Principal, Warwick Vine Consulting Ltd. | |
| Chapter 3 – Legal Business Consultants and Advisors | ||
| Hiring a Consultant or Advisor | Michael Roch – Founder and Partner, Kerma Partners | |
| Law Firm Business Strategies | Timothy B. Corcoran – Principal, Corcoran Consulting Group | |
| Business Development, Coaching, and Sales | Silvia Coulter – Founder and Partner, LawVision | |
| Online Content Marketing | Kevin O’Keefe – CEO, LexBlog | |
| Social Media Marketing | Nancy Myrland – Myrland Marketing and Social Media | |
| Corporate Legal Management | Susan Hackett – Principal, Legal Executive Leadership | |
| Public and Media Relations | Richard Levick – CEO, LEVICK | |
| Recruiting and Staffing | Jon Lindsey – New York Founding Partner, Major, Lindsey & Africa | |
| Discovery and E-Discovery | Carolyn Southerland – Former Director, Huron Consulting | |
| Knowledge Management | Ronald Friedmann – Senior Consultant, Fireman & Co. | |
| Technology Assessment | Robin Snasdell – Managing Director Huron Consulting | |
| Chapter 4 – Law Firm and Multidisciplinary Networks | ||
| Stephen McGarry – Founder Lex Mundi, WSG and HG.org | ||
| Chapter 5 – The 100 Largest Law Firms – Management | ||
| Tony Williams – Founder and Principal, Jomati | ||
| Chapter 6 – The Bar, Corporate Counsel, and Administrative Associations | ||
| American Bar Association | James Silkenat – Immediate Past President, ABA | |
| International Associations | Fernando Pelaez – Past President, IBA | |
| Corporate Counsel Associations | Veta Richardson – President, ACC | |
| Legal Administration Associations | Oliver Yandle – Executive Director, ALA | |
| Chapter 7 – New Law – Alternative Business Models | ||
| Mark Ross – Global Head - LPO, Integreon | ||
| Chapter 8 - The Future of Legal Business | ||
| Legal Business Publishing | Tony Harriss – Group Managing Director, Globe Business Media Group | |
| Overview – Legal Business Services | Jordan Furlong – Principal, Edge International | |
| Legal Business Consulting | Gerry Riskin – Founder and Principal, Edge International | |
| Law Firm Networks | Stephen McGarry – Founder Lex Mundi, WSG and HG.org | |
| International Law Firms | Markus Hartung – Director, Bucerius Center on the Legal Profession | |
| Bar and Legal Associations | Bob Young – Chair, ABA Law Practice Management Division | |
| New Law – Alternative Models | Joseph Borstein and Edward Sohn – Global Directors, Pangea3 | |
| Chapter 9 – Epilogue | ||
| Stephen McGarry – Founder Lex Mundi, WSG and HG.org | ||
And perhaps the best part is the book is free! Click here to download the PDF, and here to download the eBook. Enjoy!
Timothy B. Corcoran is the immediate past President of the Legal Marketing Association and an elected Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management. He delivers keynote presentations, conducts workshops, and advises leaders of law firms, in-house legal departments, and legal service providers on how to profit in a time of great change. To inquire about his services, contact him at +1.609.557.7311 or at tim@corcoranconsultinggroup.com.
