by Bruce | September 13, 2005 | Articles, Compensation, Cultural Considerations, Finance, Leadership, Strategy
With all the attention we pay to strategy, globalization, M&A and consolidation, practice group and knowledge management, and other issues in firm management on the more or less empyrean plane, it’s time for a word about associates. For starters, associates...
by Bruce | September 8, 2005 | Articles, Compensation, Cultural Considerations, Finance, Globalization, M&A, Strategy
The Lawyer is out with their annual "UK 100" (for 2005), and it shows that while the Magic Circle is pulling away ("going galactic," as they gaily put it), the interesting action is in what they newly dub the "Silver Circle," or the...
by Bruce | August 30, 2005 | Articles, Compensation, Cultural Considerations, Finance, Globalization, Leadership, Strategy
File this under better late than never: The New York Times has finally covered the Coudert meltdown, with a tale that aptly captures the romantic, idealistic, and ever so slightly out of touch with reality aura of the firm at its best and yes, at its...
by Bruce | August 27, 2005 | Articles, Compensation, Cultural Considerations, Finance, Globalization, Leadership, Strategy
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait. For what? For the results of Legal Week’s survey of the intentions of the top 50 UK firms regarding conversion to LLP status to come true: 14 of the top 50 have already converted; 28 of the...
by Bruce | August 24, 2005 | Articles, Compensation, Finance, Globalization, Strategy
The Lawyer’s UK 100 listing will be out right after Labor Day, but we have an advance peek at the top 10 today. Linklaters is #1 at £410-million in revenue (US$738-million), up over 8% on strong corporate-department performance. Clifford Chance...
by Bruce | August 18, 2005 | Articles, Compensation, Cultural Considerations, Finance, Globalization, Leadership, Partnership Structures, Strategy
We note with great sadness the passing of a 150+ year old firm, a pioneer on the international scene in ways many are still trying to emulate. (Also here.) The firm’s demise strikes me as exceedingly unnecessary—given the long perspective—but...