Leadership for Lawyers

Mind Mapping

Simon Chester, an attorney at Heenan Blaikie and a long time leader of the ABA Law Practice Management section, put me on to mindmapping software.  Mind mapping is a thinking technique using visual representations to connect ideas.  Mindjet just came out with their latest version, which is easier to learn and use.   You can download a free trial to check it out before you buy. 

How does this apply to lawyers?  Mindjet posts a case study about a law professor who uses mind mapping to teach legal concepts.

I learned to take notes in outline form, nesting ideas in a linear fashion.  Ideas and thoughts, however, are not often linear.  They are organic, interconnected and unbalaned.  Mind mapping is a great technique for brainstorming a strategy, sketching out an article or book or planning anything.

For those who have been mindmapping for awhile, check out mindjet's blog.

Innovaction Awards 2005

Dirth of Law Firm Innovation?

The Innovation Awards were created two years ago to recognize true creativity and innovation of law firms worldwide.  In 2004, the program elevated four firms with really cool ideas.

Not this year.   The group, backed by brand-name sponsors, awarded only two awards in the Market Disruptors category.  No awards were given in the other three categories.  Here is a quote from their web site:

"While entries were received in all four categories, this year the judges regrettably found no winners in the categories of Client Service Virtuosos, Knowledge Stars or Leader Ships, concluding that none of the law firms entering had attained the level of innovation required to receive an award."

What does it take to be innovative in a predecent-based culture like law firms?

How can you spark innovation at your firm?

For a few ideas, visit the Edge Group's collection of innovation articles here.

Fast Company's Innovation Station can inspire too.

What about Clients?

Last week I exchanged emails from west coast blawger Dan Hull.  He told his story of leaving a big law firm to start his own firm that focused on providing an extremely high level of service.  He doesn't compete on fees, nor did he downsize the complexity of his practice.  "We think we can compete on service alone." he claims. 

I think Dan is right.  GC's say client service is top among reasons to keep or fire lawyers and firms.  Large and regional law firms should quake at the thought of small, nimble, expert, high-service firms like Dan's.

Check out his blog:  www.whataboutclients.com

Giving with Hearts and Hands

In an unusually prescient issue, Law Practice Management's September Issue focused on "Giving Back".   I wrote a brief article on the Holland & Hart Foundation here.

In the same issue, Merrilyn Astin Tarlton writes about  "What Gives? 21 Ways Lawyers Can Give Back-Every Day".   Every day lawyers help people, through actions large and small, public and imperceptible. Take a quick tour through this list of 21 ways to give. Add your own ideas. Pass it on to younger lawyers. Use it as the agenda for your next partner meeting. Start now. It feels good to do good! Merrilyn's article can be read here.

Mary Beth Pratt writes about law firm's annual holiday card dilemma here .  Great issue!

(BTW, I just went to the Holland & Hart Foundation home page and read that they have raised $75,000 in individual contributions for Katrina Relief.  Way cool!)