Leadership for Lawyers

Trust Your Gut

Malcolm Gladwell was recently in town to talk about his new book, Blink.  He spent half of his time talking about The Tipping Point and the rest about Blink, which is his collection of insights on why intuition is often superior to (over)analysis.  The Executive Summary gives an excellent overview of both concepts.

Future of Denver Forum, May 19th, 2005

The Leadership Denver Alumni Association is holding their annual Spring Forum on May 19th, featuring futurist and urbanist author, Joel Kotkin.  Kotkin has written several books on the history  and growth of metropolitan areas.  He will speak on the topic of, "FasTracks and the Urban Fabric of Denver".   Given dramatic changes in Colorado's demographics, transportation systems, and economy, Kotkin will gaze into his crystal ball and have a conversation with Denver's leader on what is in store for Colorado over the next few decades.

The next day Kotkin will debate Richard Florida, author of "Rise of the Creative Class", which is an oft-quoted tome on metropolitan growth. 

For information and registration to the LDAA Spring forum, go here

For information on the Kotkin/Florida conversation, go here.

An article on Kotin's New Book at Denver Post is here.

www.joelkotkin.com (great articles on urban growth)

www.creativeclass.org

Felice Wagner Launches New Partner Institute

Hardly a month goes by without an announcement of a new conference on law firm management.  Few, however, deal with real issues of leadership.  Felice Wagner will host a content-rich seminar on law firm management and leadership for new partners (although the agenda looks like it will fit partners of all vintages.)  Check out the agenda. 

Are Hourly Rates Doomed?

Ron Martin, one of Holland & Hart's partners, has claimed for years that the billable hour method is not only inefficient, but even unethical.  Peter Jenkins, founder of the Law Partnering Institute, has advocated "Partnering" and value-added services as well.  The Chicago Tribune highlights McGuire Woods as a leader in alternative fee arrangements?  Read the article here.  Are clients ready for a new pricing model?  Jenkins thinks so, and has started a consortium of clients to negotiate partnering arrangements with a select group of like-minded law firms.