by Bruce | August 29, 2005 | Articles, Cultural Considerations, Knowledge Management, Leadership, Strategy
Given that thinking is what we theoretically do for a living, how good are you at it? Are you truly a "critical thinker?" Two years ago I would have reflexively answered that of course I was a critical thinker—I went to a college and law school...
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 25, 2005 | Articles, Cultural Considerations, Finance, Globalization, Leadership, M&A, Strategy
That didn’t take long. Orrick has snagged a total of 40 Coudert lawyers in China, including one partner in Shanghai, two in Beijing, and six in Hong Kong. Despite the earlier unpleasantness over Orrick’s he-said/she-said poaching of...
by Bruce | August 22, 2005 | Articles, Cultural Considerations, Finance, Globalization, Leadership, M&A, Strategy
After the weekend’s hiatus, this morning we have a round-up of Coudert post-mortems. Astonishingly, and unforgivably, The New York Times has yet to take note. Unless they’re saving up their ammo for a behind-the-scenes feature, the reaction can...
by Bruce | August 22, 2005 | Articles, Cultural Considerations, Knowledge Management, Leadership, Practice Group Management, Technology strategy
It sounds counterintuitive, but is it possible that "knowledge workers" (that would be us) need more supervision than they’re getting, not less? So proposes Thomas Davenport, professor of IT and management at Babson College (in Wellesley, Mass.)...
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...