Legal Commentary

Change And The Art Of The Possible

By Patrick J. Lamb

I can change things I have control over.  I cannot force others to change things that others control.  I cannot force clients to forsake their rule that lawyers must submit timesheets.  I cannot force every court I practice before to abandon their practice of relying on heavily on timesheets when reviewing fee issues.  I can discuss those issues with clients and courts and urge them to change, but I cannot force them to do so.  One I have made the effort to persuade them and they choose not to change, I am left with the decision to either play by their rules or move on to find others who allow me to exist solely in the space I want to be in.

Change is a process.  People do it at different paces.  Some take giant steps, some none at all.  It's messy.  And it takes time.  Unless you are one of those people who can define your space and survive by requiring those who play in your space to play by your rules, you have to expect this messiness and deal with it.

Voltaire is reported to have said "the best is the enemy of the good."  In the context of change, let's not let perfect become the enemy of better. 

Full post as published by In Search of Perfect Client Service on January 30, 2010 (boomark / email).