A summary of findings from Zeughauser Group's survey of Boston law firms, focusing on the potential for mergers and combinations, likely growth areas and geographies, and future priorities and challenges.  Survey respondents were exclusively managing partners and other senior leaders of Boston law
firms ranging in size from approximately 10 to 200 attorneys.  For more information about this survey, contact Kent Zimmermann
at [email protected] or (312) 810-8008.

On January 31, 2019, Mary K Young, partner, along with Jennifer Simpson Carr, Director, Knapp Marketing, will moderate an in-depth discussion of the strategic planning process during Legalweek in New York City.  Their presentation, using case studies, will provide marketing and business development professionals, particularly those focused at the practice, sector, or office level, the understanding and tools to lead and implement strategic business plans.

Additonal program information and registration forms may be found on the Legalweek website.

On January 24, 2019, Mary K Young, partner, will participate in a panel examining best practices in change management and customer engagement in large and small firms. The panel will debate best practices around redeploying or recruiting new talent and engaging customers throughout the transition.

This panel is part of the 26th Annual Marketing Partner Forum - Approaching Inflection: Recalibrating Strategy in the New Client Era at Dana Point, California on January 23-25, 2019.  For additional information on the forum registration may be found on the Marketing Partner Forum website .

Women lawyers say harassment from clients is not uncommon and can impact business development opportunities. But many firms don’t have policies against client harassment or procedures to support impacted attorneys.  Gwen Mellor discusses challenges attorneys face with regard to clients' improper behavior and the importance of training on where and how to report harassment or assault from clients.

Which practices could see an uptick in work as the dust settles after Tuesday's midterms?  Gwen Mellor sees significant opportunities over the next two years for firms with a Washington, D.C., presence and for law firms that have strong oversight and investigation practices.

The legal field is notorious for challenging employee conditions, but O’Melveny & Myers defies the odds with an investment in its people.  Peter Zeughauser comments on how companies across industries can implement similar programs if they’re willing to make the commitment and investment.

In a year punctuated by prominent partner departures, John Quinn says his firm's bare-bones management structure remains a virtue—and succession planning is for suckers.  A lot has changed since a quartet of litigators came together to form Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan 32 years ago. From a handful of lawyers in Los Angeles, the firm now boasts 22 offices on four continents, with 800 attorneys generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue.  Peter Zeughauser comments on the benefits to law firms of a broad management structure and firm succession planning.

Novel job titles like "chief value officer" and "client relationship manager" have increasingly become part of the Big Law lexicon, but it would be a mistake to assume only large firms are pouring more resources into managing client relationships, according to consultants and law firm professionals.  Mary K Young discusses opportunities firms have to build business through maintaining and strengthening client relationships.

Kirkland’s revenue was $3.17 billion last year, thanks largely to the firm's focus on its work in the area.  Peter Zeughauser comments on the firm's strategy for expansion and growth.

Zeughauser Group's 2018 Pocket Guide to the American Lawyer Rankings of the Am Law 200 by Profits Per Equity Partner and by Value Per Lawyer; The A-List; The Global 100; and The Corporate Scorecard.

You can download the ZGuide here

If you would like a hard copy of the 2018 ZGuide, please send an email to [email protected] with "2018 ZGuide Request" in the subject line and provide your mailing address.