The third concern had to do with firms’ resistance to innovation and technology:
- “That lawyers stubbornly refuse to use technology and other innovations to improve the legal system.”
- “Innovation – both doing it and getting clients interested in it.”
Beyond these main themes, several important issues were raised:
- “Balancing partner income expectations with the reality of a tough economy/legal environment.”
- “Correctly identifying lateral partner hires.”
- “Attorneys being hired to do professional staff roles – even with no training – to replace a staff person with years of experience.”
- “Globalization”
- “How best to deal with unproductive partners.”
- “The glass ceiling.”
From a junior partner:
- “I also have real concerns about whether the leadership’s incentives are really aligned with my own.”
We heard this concern from a few associates:
- “Finding a path forward when I’m not sure I want the life-sucking grind of staying on partnership track.”
Editorial comments
Nearly half (46%) of you provided suggestions for new articles or deeper examination of topics. The only prevailing “negative” is that many readers wanted more posts!
A very few of the very positive comments (think Bruce may be blushing!):
- “Your columns are brilliant, I pass them along regularly.” [Ed. note – please continue doing so!]
- “Love all that you do, but particularly your discussion of the legal recruiting process and associate compensation.”
- “It is intellectually stimulating and provides great food for thought.”
More importantly, you offered some very helpful ideas for future articles—many of which you’ll see going forward.
Some asked to see more articles addressing issues at a wider range of law firms:
- I would appreciate more emphasis on the middle market law firm.
- You could use a somewhat less New York-centric attitude to the practice.
Other ideas included:
- “Suggestion that you provide insight from more of the general counsel/client side decision makers as there appears to be message confusion at times about what the clients want – price, predictability, insight, etc.
- “Most of your content is geared toward senior management. Understandably so. But the young partners and senior associates who are the next generation of leadership are dealing with the new realities as well, and obviously have much longer time horizons.
- “Could do some analysis on the success (or lack thereof) of firms that have made concerted efforts to expand internationally.
- “More on blowing up the canard that all AMLAW 100 firms are equal.
Again, thanks for participating in the survey. You provided valuable insights on how to make the site stronger and more responsive to you, our readers.
