What does Law Day mean to you?
May 1 offers lawyers an opportunity to reflect on what the law “means” to each of us, those we serve, and the larger interests of society. Law Day in the US often includes ceremonial celebrations, recommitment to the highest values of our profession and public service (and yes, even bar association missives on the importance of what we do).
But really, do you care? You’re very busy, and nothing that happens on Law Day really changes anything about the way you work or the challenges you face or the likelihood that you’ll make it home in time for dinner. But I predict that what happened in the last several months and what is coming in the next year will impact all of these concerns and more. Are you ready?
At ACC, we can see seismic and fundamental change penetrating the “business model” governing the relationship between in-house and outside counsel. Perhaps the impact of these changes are still simmering below the surface in your office, and you may feel confident that after a tumultuous 2009, things may be heading back to “normal” in 2010 (and we can all revert to business as usual) or perhaps the pot that holds your workload and concerns is boiling over and you’re seeing that something, indeed, many things, are likely to give in the next year. I predict that regardless of which group you fall into, by May 1, 2011, the way we practice law in-house, and the way our firms serve their clients will have transformed in significant ways, changing from a focus on law firm profit-per-partner, to a focus on value and client satisfaction. While the shift — like any change — will be hard and will subject us all to risks and discomforts many would prefer to avoid, the result could drastically improve our client’s outcomes and lawyer career paths, job satisfaction, and productivity.
So here’s the question I ask you to join me in answering on Law Day 2010:
What needs to happen in the next 12 months, either in-house or in outside firm practice (or both), for your practice, your client’s legal outcomes, or your ability to serve your client to improve?
I urge you to use the “Comment” button at the bottom of this post to answer the above question. Your thoughts and answers are valuable to ACC and you can also read your fellow members’ responses to benchmark your own thoughts. And after you’ve answered, please take a moment to reflect on what your answer suggests you need to do to help make change happen. Will you make the path by walking? Your decision to drive the future of our profession is one of the most worthy pursuits you can undertake today.
Remember: The best way you honor our profession is by being an active participant in it – it’s up to you: DRIVE CHANGE. DRIVE IMPROVEMENT. DRIVE VALUE.
Over the next 12 months the single greatest factor that will contribute to improvement of legal services provided to clients by lawyers, in my opinion, is continuing education. I have seen in this slow economy many larger law firms offer seminars. While the intent of these seminars is of course to advertise and not provide legal advice, the content of the courses are usually well designed and informative. I hope throughout the next 12 months, with the economy showing signs of rebounding, therefore legal work increasing, lawyers continue to offer and participate in these legal seminars.