Managing Partner archive

Volume 10 Issue 6

Features

Private Lives This article is for subscribers only
Automating and outsourcing business-support functions has long been recognised as a way for law firms to become more profitable and client focused. But how do these innovations square with solicitors' time-honoured duty of confidentiality, and is there a model of best practice that balances data security with cost-efficiency?

The expanding realm of IT This article is for subscribers only
Jan Durant, IT director at Lewis Silkin, considers how lawyers' use of technology has evolved to improve processes, cut costs and lessen the load on the workforce.

Safe in the knowledge This article is for subscribers only
Law firms have made use of know-how lawyers for over a decade, but as the battle for securing clients grows, their particualr skills and expertise are in even greater demand. Reviewing the role can help ensure firms gain maximum advantage for the resource.

Managing the risk of lawyer mobility This article is for subscribers only
Lawyers are on the move more than ever, whether between offices, spending time on secondment or joining a new firm. The firm's duty to clients must always be carefully considered.

Perfect Partners This article is for subscribers only
A decade ago Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was barely visible in the board rooms of major organisations. It is now a clear expectation that a successful business will achieve standards of excellence and innovation in CSR as part of its licence to operate on a global and local stage.

Save our soles! This article is for subscribers only
THE CHALLENGES for in-house counsel are greater than they have ever been. The relentless pace of changing legislation and regulation requires us to be more vigilant and fleet-of-foot than ever. Added to that, we are seeing a diversification – albeit a welcome one – in the role, increasingly called upon both to advise on key management decisions and manage teams of external advisers.

Happy to help This article is for subscribers only
An effort to understand the pressures on in-house counterparts could help law firms win even more work.

The inside track This article is for subscribers only
Secondment programmes are an appealing prospect for clients, law firms and their employees. Making the most of the opportunity should broaden lawyers’ business awareness and forge strong relationships.

Profile: Hogan & Hartson This article is for subscribers only
Washington-based Hogan & Hartson is one of the fastest-growing US firms in London. Office managing partner Garry Pegg has reaped the benefits of an ambitious drive in 2007, but knows he can't afford to be complacent.

Regulars

Is anybody listening? This article is for subscribers only
TECHNOLOGY HAS enabled mass communication at a level never before experienced. With over 12,000 specialist publications in the UK, enabled by improved technology and ever-reducing production costs, the ability to talk in a highly focused way is at a new threshold.

Thought Leader Free
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL are often keen to engage experienced lawyers from professional firms to tackle specific problems. Professional firms are keen to second lawyers to client companies for exposure to commercial clients and for other client-development reasons.

Editor's Letter Free
I HAVEN’T dared to look yet, but I wonder if the toys, tinsel and other festive tat is already making tills ring with glee? After a UK summer of weather chaos and credit concerns, our emporiums must be especially eager for the annual spending ‘splurge’ to begin again.