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?


46%

27%

27% Yes

No

UnderConsideration


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


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!