Man sat at a desk

Ten tips on how best to survive in the managing partner hot seat

Thursday, 19 August 2010 I became managing partner of Birkett Long Solicitors on 1 June 2002, and handed over to my successor, Adrian Livesley, on 31 March 2010. During my...
Businessmen under an umbrella

What SME firms must do to survive challenging times

Monday, 26 July 2010 Many small and medium-sized (SMEs) law firms have struggled over the past two years and have been forced to restructure their practices because of the...

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New global study examines lawyer-to-lawyer referrals

A recent global study of lawyer-to-lawyer referrals reveals that referrals among law firms represent a significant percentage of annual revenues, yet the majority of firms polled have only basic tracking procedures, writes Bryn Hughes, if any at all. More than a quarter (26%) of those surveyed claim more than 20% of their annual revenue is derived from referrals. However, 27% of respondents claim their firm doesn't track referrals.

Alternatives to the traditional career path

What is the world coming to? Recent evidence suggests that partnership may no longer be the holy grail for private practice lawyers. Recent research within the legal sector highlighted that only 37% of associates aspire to be a partner. At the very least, it is no longer the only thing that matters for our rising stars.

Even worse news for law firms is the fact that many more existing partners are also feeling pretty disillusioned. It seems that life as a partner in private practice is not all it is cracked up to be.

Partnership – how to navigate that crucial assessment process

For many lawyers making partner is one of the crowning achievements of their career and fulfils a lofty ambition held since their first day on the job.

The journey travelled between those two points can be a long one. Being selected as a partner is a natural reward for commitment, loyalty, hard work and success. However, many lawyers are left disappointed, if not mystified or angry, about their failure to make the step up. This is because the partner selection process is just that; a process, which involves you selling yourself as ‘partner material’.

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Frustrated Lawyers R Us. Plan ‘B’ mutiny?
Chrissie Lightfoot
Thursday, 02 September 2010

‘The sun is out... the sky is blue... there’s not a cloud... to spoil the view... but it’s raining... (doodle doodle doom)... raining in my heart.’

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Media management skills becoming a must for in-house lawyers
Eduardo Reyes
Friday, 27 August 2010

In-house lawyers don’t expect a high profile in the press over the summer months. But July and August this year were different.

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You can buy in advice, but not organisational change
Alastair Moyes
Thursday, 26 August 2010

Organisational change is in the headlines everywhere this summer. The NHS is a particular focus with BHS boss Sir Philip Green being asked to make recommendations for change. In a recent Radio 4 Today programme interview on this issue, businessman Sir Gerry Robinson and Professor Colin Talbot's comments on Sir Philip’s task ahead could equally apply to the challenge facing law firms, as they struggle with real change in their organisations.

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