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Legal Commentary

: In Search of Perfect Client Service

Innovation During The Downturn? BigLaw Apparently Says No

By Patrick J. Lamb

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There is a fascinating discussion going on in a Legal On Ramp forum under the same title as this post. I am taking the liberty of quoting in its entirety a post by Fred Bartlit of Bartlit Beck, because it is so incredibly indicative of BigLaw's attitude about the current state of things:

Re:Innovation during the Downturn 2 Minutes ago

Here is the attitude of large traditional firms. "we know clients want change, but the large firm business model will not change"

Morgan Lewis Chair is ‘Very Confident & Positive About the Future'
Law Practice Management
Morgan Lewis Chair is ‘Very Confident & Positive About the Future'
Posted Mar 10, 2009, 08:06 pm CDT
By Martha Neil

"We're very confident and positive about the future," says Francis Milone, the chairman of Morgan Lewis & Bockius, in an interview today with the ABA Journal. As clients get bigger and seek legal advice about more complex issues, "I don't believe that large law firms are going to be disadvantaged," he says. "I think we're going to be in a strong position, frankly, going forward."

But "I don't thing the business model is going to change," says Milone of BigLaw practice. "I think the client expectations are going to change--and they have been changing for several years now." Among other differences, corporate clients are more focused on value and costs today, he says, and "our big challenge" is delivering legal services "in the way that clients want them delivered."

Sort of a "sure, clients want change, but screw them" state of mind

I've been writing a lot lately that large law firms are changing at the periphery with genius moves like eliminating coffee and terminating associates, but that so far none have demonstrated any real commitment to change their business model. This post, in a nutshell, explains why. And Fred has hit the nail on the head with his characterization of the state of mind involved.

Addendum: I neglected to include in my original post a brief comment on the Legal On Ramp Forums. These include some of the most interesting, informed and insightful exchanges I regularly observe. Kudos to LOR and the many forum participants.

Full post as published by In Search of Perfect Client Service on March 11, 2009 (boomark / email).

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