There are at least three distinct reasons that law practice management consulting exists as a separate category, or discipline. First, lawyers are subject to specific, jurisdictional rules of professional conduct, that limit their ability to conduct business. Ethics rules effect nearly every part of a lawyer’s behavior, such that it is essential to have a grasp on what is allowed (and what is not) in particular jurisdictions. Second, technology is being built and updated for the legal vertical at a staggering pace; and, it is difficult to wade through options and make effective choices without a broad knowledge of the industry — or without access to someone with that broad knowledge. Third, lawyer mangers generally lack substantive business training. It’s hard enough to practice substantive law, without having to grapple with business management issues. For busy lawyers, practice management consultants can provide answers and a decision-making framework. For solo attorneys, a consultant may be the only experienced sounding board available.
There are generally two ways that law firms can approach consulting services; and, it depends on their tolerance for sweat equity. Law practice management consultants can provide answers, and paths to answers, for practitioners who then wish to engage solutions directly. Of course, not every lawyer is a DIY fanatic; many are busy enough (smart enough? :)) to realize that there is also significant benefit to farming out certain aspects of business management to qualified vendors. Rather than choosing a technology array and building it out, for example, a lawyer could access a consulting firm, which could build it out and manage it for him, or who could at least recommend a service provider to do that. The ultimate question for law firms surrounds implementation: Does the law firm wish to learn how to, and then perform the installation itself? Or, is it more valuable to hire a vendor to perform the particular job, and instead to focus that time on billing? The question can be repeated for any aspect of law firm business management.
Law firms of every size can access law practice management consulting services at some level; and, it starts with a conversation surrounding needs and desires. (Though, not a dirty one.) Starting that conversation with Red Cave is a phone call or email away. (A clean one.)
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Liner Notes
But, don’t call if you’re not a Warren Zevon fan.
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