Managing the Modern Law Firm

Law firms face unique organizational, managerial, and business issues, such as the role of partners, new practice development, payment systems, the value of legal knowledge, career development, and competitive advantage. This book investigates these particular challenges and is ideal for anybody researching or managing professional service firms. The last ten years have been a period of extraordinary change for law firms. The rapid growth of corporate law firms and the emergence of global mega-firms such as Clifford Chance, Linklaters, and Freshfields, have strained the traditional partnership model of management. Some managers of law firms are appalled at the creeping 'corporatism' that they fear may result. However a growing number believe that it is time to move on and adopt more contemporary forms of structure and management. Successfully meeting the challenges of this new business environment is vital for the continuing prosperity of law firms. Featuring contributions from both management researchers and legal practitioners, Managing the Modern Law Firm presents the latest insights from Management Studies in an approachable, practical, and relevant manner for lawyers and other professionals involved directly and indirectly with the management of law firms.

The last ten years have been a period of extraordinary change for law firms. The rapid growth of corporate law firms and the emergence of global mega-firms such as Clifford Chance, Linklaters, and Freshfields, have strained the traditional partnership model of management. Some managers of law firms are appalled at the creeping 'corporatism' that they fear may result. However a growing number believe that it is time to move on and adopt more contemporary forms of structure and management. Successfully meeting the challenges of this new business environment is vital for the continuing prosperity of law firms. Featuring contributions from both management researchers and legal practitioners, Managing the Modern Law Firm presents the latest insights from Management Studies in an approachable, practical, and relevant manner for lawyers and other professionals involved directly and indirectly with the management of law firms.