What happens when you put 150 legal practice innovators together with 10 pioneers and leading-edge thinkers for two days of brainstorming and problem-solving at one of the country’s most innovative law schools? One can only imagine the possibilities! On October 16-17, 2014, The College of Law Practice Management will host […]
What law firms can learn from perfect food and wine pairings at Beausoleil in Baton Rouge
Thanks to a generous and well organized client in Baton Rouge, powerhouse litigation boutique Keogh Cox & Wilson, I was treated to a food and wine extravaganza at Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar. Partners on the Keogh Cox management committee brainstormed with executive chef and owner, Nathan Gresham (also former chef […]
New Website Case Study: Super Regional Firm Winstead (winstead.com)
Here is what 300-lawyer Winstead explains to website visitors, and it’s why a buyer of legal services should take a look a them: “Destination: Wherever you need to go” represents Winstead’s attitude, as well as the vastness of our experience and technical resources that clients rely on. Clients in virtually […]
Lawyers: The new measure of success? Where are you on the EP scale?
As a measure of success, EP is the new black. Not just for lawyers, but for marketers, CIOs, financial advisors, anyone working today who wants to get farther faster. It’s kind of a magic bullet. EP stands for “Executive Presence.” In a new Strategy + Business article by Sally Helgesen, […]
Create relevant website content that drives search engine and human traffic – Guest Post by Janet Ellen Raasch
“Site Optimization and Online Awareness” is the 8th of the Ten Foundational Best Practices for law firm websites. “Lawyer Biographies” and “Content (Other than Bios)” are 4 and 5, respectively. In 2005, I launched the AmLaw 100 Websites: Ten Foundational Best Practices research because I determined that law firms were […]
What law firm laterals need to know – Guest Post by Steve Nelson, The McCormick Group
When it comes to lateral hiring, Steve Nelson is one of the most thoughtful executive search professionals I know. Understanding that the relationship of a lateral partner in a new law firm is, well, a relationship, not a transaction is the first example of his rigor. He knows how often […]
New Website Case Study: California firm Downey Brand (downeybrand.com)
For more than 80 years, Downey Brand lawyers have been key figures and played pivotal roles in the growth of Northern California and Northern Nevada. Advancing both public and private interests, Downey Brand clients are frequently at the center of the region’s most strategic and vital activities and investments. While […]
Alice died last week. What law firms can learn . . .
If you want to be moved to the core, watch this 11-minute video that is an Academy Award contender for "Best Short Documentary" this Sunday. "The Lady in Number 6" is the story of Alice Herz-Sommer, a 109-year old holocaust survivor and world's oldest pianist. More than 70 years […]
To win more business, don’t underestimate the value of visceral appeal.
For more than two decades we have known that corporate counsel and other buyers of legal services have two levels of decision-making. They make an intellectual decision when creating their short list, evaluating expertise, perceived technical skill, and other features that are important to them – geographical reach, depth, rates […]
Want lateral hiring success in your law firm? Focus more on fit.
The failure of laterals to integrate well into their new law firms continues in 2014 as it has in the many years preceding it. For those firms that share the disappointing stories, the similarities are remarkable: The lawyer came in expecting senior staff (especially marketing/BD and professional development) and lawyers […]
What law firms can learn from our New Year’s Eve Dining Experience at Betony in New York
For 15 years I boycotted New Year’s Eve, grumbling about it being a night for amateurs. Then I started joining favorite and new friends in New York for a several day celebration that included carefully researched restaurants, theater, museums, shopping, plenty of champagne and spontaneous happenings that fit nicely into […]
A champagne toast to a grand 2014 – and my one piece of New Year advice
Many law firm consultants, prognosticators and pundits have written long blog posts and articles with predictions for law firms in 2014. Given that website visitors don't read (they scan), I prefer tiny bites of information and opinions, as opposed to having to scroll to China. I have several predictions this […]
A big year of awards and enhancements for Content Pilot
As the founder of Content Pilot, I am proud when the company and team I have built does well. Our biggest test of success is how our clients feel about us. Every engagement – regardless of size or client – means the world to us, and our mission is to […]
Ouch! Thinking about designing a law firm mobile app? Read this review first.
If you are thinking it’s a good idea to launch a mobile app for your law firm, first read this review by Jeff Taylor. Jeff is a lawyer in Oklahoma who writes a popular blog called, “The Droid Lawyer.” This is a scathing review of Sidley & Austin’s mobile app […]
Do you want to work for a man or a woman? New Gallup poll says “a man.”
After seeing Meryl Streep’s always-brilliant performance and her utterly withering glances at her less-than underlings in “The Devil Wears Prada,” I remembered back a few years to an unhappier time in my professional life. The source of my despondency wasn’t entirely a woman to whom I reported, but she played a prominent role. She was […]
Good advice about lawyers’ productivity, but marketers are getting a bad rap
Jack Bostelman wrote a blog post about Wells Fargo's Q3 law firm financial survey and the AmLaw 200 firms' weak showing in 2013. Here are the results in a nutshell: Gross revenue increased 2.5% Expenses also increased 2.5% Total hours billed declined 0.75% and hours per lawyer declined 1.1% Effective […]
Results: 2013 AmLaw 100 Websites: Ten Foundational Best Practices Research – Part I
I just presented the Keynote address at the 2013 LMA Legal Tech Conference in San Francisco, previewing the results of the 2013 AmLaw 100 Websites research findings. Congratulations and thanks to Clare Ota and Adam Stock for organizing a sold-out, superior conference. Sponsored by Content Pilot LLC and supported by […]
What law firms can learn from my weird service experience at Del Frisco’s in Dallas
Well, Del Frisco’s has done it again. It’s once more the subject of one of my “What law firms/lawyers can learn . . . ” posts, and not in a good way. My earlier post about the Del Frisco’s in Manhattan is one of the most-read posts of this blog. […]
New Website Case Study: Tennessee firm Chambliss launches new site (chamblisslaw.com)
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. (“Chambliss”) is not your grandmother’s Tennessee law firm, in spite of the fact that it is 126 years old. From a style of doing business standpoint,the 56 lawyers are accessible, approachable, entrepreneurial, scrappy (the opposite of white-shoe), big fun (not boring), innovative and forward-thinking. From […]
New Website Case Study: Oklahoma firm Doerner (dsda.com)
Doerner Saunders Daniel & Anderson LLP (“Doerner,” which rhymes with burner) is the oldest law firm in Oklahoma – its founding and Oklahoma’s statehood happened at about the same time. It is a fresh-thinking, contemporary firm and it has been from the beginning – working with clients who were shaping […]