Thomsom Reuters’ report on the latest Hildebrandt Peer Monitor Index contains several interesting findings. Here is the one I thought was the most interesting: Billing rates were also up — 3.5 percent from a year ago. But that increase is marginalized by the fact that firms’ "realized rate" — the rate they are actually paid… Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: October 2011
A passion pursued passionately
Posted in CommentaryDan Hull asks the provocative questions, Did you ever have Neil Young’s passion? For even 5 minutes? Just two nights ago, I was talking with a friend who asked what wish I had for my kids. My answer was this: That they find a passion and pursue it passionately. A passion you ignore is torment. … Continue Reading
Law Departments’ make v. buy decisions favor make
Posted in CommentaryHBR Consulting has issued a report (summary here) of the results of a survey of in-house law departments. Interesting results. More than half the participants report increasing the size of their in-house staff. More than 80% of the participants report increasing legal needs. At the same time: 60% of the participants have reduced external spend… Continue Reading
The Problem of Not Knowing
Posted in Client CommunicationsI am sitting here pondering a project I asked someone else to do. I don’t know whether it is done. It should have been done by now, but I don’t know because I haven’t heard from the person I tasked with the assignment. I don’t want to have to keep this task in the front… Continue Reading
Trial Tip: simple, compelling stories win
Posted in CommentaryBefore my Dad died, I would use him as a sounding board for my trial theme and story. Not that my Dad was a simple man but he was persuaded by clear simple, stories. The Bob test. Now that he is gone, I have to look elsewhere for feedback, but the lesson is still the… Continue Reading
WSJ Law Blog asks “What’s a First Year Lawyer Worth?
Posted in Commentary, Hourly Rates and AlternativesThe October 17 issue of the Wall Street Journal contains a terrific article by Ashby Jones, What’s A First-Year Lawyer Worth? The answer, it seems, is not much, at least to some general counsel. Several GCs are quoted talking about how they deal with the "first-year dilemma." Here’s the definition: But lawyers said there is still… Continue Reading
Latest Issue of Edge International Review Now Out!
Posted in People, Places and BlawgsThe latest issue of Edge International Review, authored by the principals of Edge International, is now out. Terrific articles by Pam Woldow and Doug Richardson onCreating a "communication engine" through legal project management; Ed Wesemann on What reputation really means (Hint: It’s not brand); and Jordan Furlong and Gerry Riskin on 7 business development tactics… Continue Reading
Legal sector experiences job decline
Posted in CommentaryAmLaw Daily reports today that the legal sector lost 1,300 jobs in September. This has to make many people nervous, starting with Managing Partners. Coming on the heels of Citibank’s report showing that expenses were growing faster than revenue for 2011 and forecasting that the economy is in for a period of no or slow… Continue Reading
Lesson from a life ended too early
Posted in CommentarySeveral years ago,my friend John, the Cubmaster of my son’s Cub Scout Pack, died very suddenly. It fell on me to take over his role. At the wake, several of the parents said their sons were distraught, asking why would God make a person like him die so young. It became clear to me that… Continue Reading
“Will Design Be Part of Law’s New Normal?”
Posted in CommentaryMy latest post on the ABA Journal Online–"Will Design Be Part of Law’s New Normal?" Ironically, a discussion of Steve Jobs’ role as a "user-experience savant," written shortly before his death was announced.
Be inspired.
Posted in People, Places and Blawgs1955-2011
Writing good insults
Posted in GeneralI received the following from a friend in California, who shares my appreciation of good writing. These are "glorious insults" from an era before we relied so heavily on four letter words: • A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease." • "That depends,… Continue Reading