Leadership Development

Law firm revenue growth moderates as expenses grow; top 50 firms see biggest productivity drop

Revenue growth for law firms was “a modest” 4.1% for the first nine months of 2022, compared to growth of 14.7% in the same period last year, according to a client advisory by Citi Private Bank’s law firm group and Hildebrandt Consulting.

Dec 9, 2022 9:10 AM CST

Responses wanted: Motherhood penalty and caregiver bias will be evaluated in new ABA survey

The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession is launching a new survey to assess how the motherhood penalty and other caregiver bias impacts the careers of female lawyers.

Sep 8, 2022 2:00 PM CDT

Law firm leadership and the ‘Lemonade’ conference

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with with Debbie Foster, the managing partner of Affinity Consulting, a company focused on optimizing law firm performance. They discussed why efficiency, productivity and profitability have become a focal point for leaders in the legal industry, the technology applications that have the greatest impact on a law firm’s success, and the "Lemonade" virtual conference.

Aug 29, 2022 8:42 AM CDT

Sick of meetings that go off the rails? ‘Robert’s Rules of Order’ can help

It’s no secret that lawyers are asked to attend or preside over many kinds and types of meetings. But not everyone has formal training in running them.

Aug 24, 2022 8:36 AM CDT

What the past 2 years have taught this firm about talent development

In the past two years alone, we went from rising unemployment rates to the “Great Resignation” to where I believe we stand now: the Great Reevaluation of Priorities. Today’s workers care about who they work for and how and where they do so.

Jul 12, 2022 8:00 AM CDT

Want to be a successful litigator? Come to the office, say 2 BigLaw trial lawyers

For young litigators who want to be considered “a lawyer’s lawyer,” careers spent mostly working from home may not get you to where you want to be, according to two BigLaw partners who have been trying cases for more than 30 years.

Mar 28, 2022 8:38 AM CDT

ABA Young Lawyers Division accepting applications for Leadership Academy

The ABA Young Lawyers Division has launched the Leadership Academy to continue to promote and advance lawyers who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented in the legal profession.

Mar 25, 2022 11:31 AM CDT

Mentorship is not all about the mentee

Mentorship. This one word can cause many a tough, battle-worn attorney to cringe. For many seasoned attorneys, the idea of being a mentor just sounds like you are being asked to add more hours of work to an already overloaded schedule. But before you reject the idea, consider the benefits that come with such a role.

Mar 8, 2022 11:12 AM CST

4 Black bar association leaders reflect on historic moment

For the first time, African Americans are leading four major national bar associations at once. “It’s important when there is a spotlight on Black history to show that the four of us have achieved this unique thing,” says Douglas K. Burrell, who heads the Defense Research Institute. “It is incredible for each of us to be president of our organizations. It is even more incredible for four of us to be presidents at the same time.”

Feb 23, 2022 10:41 AM CST

5 tips for new lawyers who want to go solo

“Ten years of practicing law is an appropriate time to contemplate the past and reflect on what worked and what didn’t. If you’re a young lawyer or law student ... , I hope my experiences as a solo practitioner and the following lessons can help you.”

Feb 1, 2022 10:58 AM CST

‘You don’t look like a lawyer!’: 6 ways to navigate professional and corporate spaces

Recently, I watched the very popular Netflix movie Red Notice, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. If you’re unfamiliar with The Rock, his name is well-earned. He is a former professional wrestler, and he has huge muscles to show for it. In the movie, he plays an FBI profiler who specializes in fine-art theft. An Interpol agent introduces him to a museum curator who is about to be a victim of a major theft.

Jan 25, 2022 10:20 AM CST

In US News’ 100 Best Jobs of 2022 list, how does being a lawyer stack up?

Being a lawyer is a better job than being a speech-language pathologist but not quite as good as being a statistician.

Jan 12, 2022 1:08 PM CST

Weekly Briefs: Derek Chauvin pleads guilty to federal charge; Goodwin pushes back return-to-office date

Derek Chauvin pleads guilty to federal civil rights charge Fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge of violating the civil rights of George Floyd, the man who died when Chauvin pressed a knee to his neck during an arrest in May 2020. Chauvin was…

Dec 17, 2021 3:14 PM CST

3 decades ago, legal headhunting required more time for fewer placements

Two female recruiters are featured in this month’s Asked and Answered podcast, which is looking at how legal recruiting has changed over the years, including an incredibly hot job market for 2021.

Nov 29, 2021 9:07 AM CST

Sidley Austin implements executive training and new titles for associates

Senior Sidley Austin associates are getting new titles and new opportunities to learn business skills.

Nov 18, 2021 2:06 PM CST