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...
by Bruce | August 17, 2005 | Articles, Compensation, Cultural Considerations, Leadership, Marketing, Strategy
Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to be reminded of the obvious. Permit me to remind you: Ours is a talent-driven profession. Professionals—"elevator assets"—are highly mobile. The best people are always in limited supply. Turnover is...
by Bruce | August 12, 2005 | Articles, Compensation, Cultural Considerations, Finance, Leadership, Partnership Structures, Strategy
Imagine a highly productive partner with a stand-out book of business that other firms would salivate over, years of experience and accumulated wisdom, and deep ties to blue-chip clients. What are the odds a firm would introduce a clause in its partnership...