Implementing a Legal Project Management
culture at an International Law Firm
• The Problem
• The Barriers to Change
• The Mayer Brown Approach
What do clients want?
1. Speed
2. Quality
3. Predictable cost and in most cases low cost
4. A relationship (maybe)
5. Commercial legal advice
LPM - legal project management
LPI - legal process improvement
Can both help
The Barriers
1. Lawyers
- skill sets
- resistance to change
- varied practice areas
2. Incentives within law firms
-
business development
long term profitability
billable hours
3. Building the “one firm” firm
The “As Is” State
The “To Be” State
The Mayer Brown approach (1)
1. Establish global LPM and AFA standards
-
Training
Branding
2. LPM software – Engage
-
budget building
budget monitoring
project management
pricing database
3. LPI initiatives
-
Exari
Word
KM systems
The Mayer Brown approach (2)
•
•
•
•
Enterprise search
Global KM system
Smart Time capture
Adjust metrics for lawyer compensation
Winds & Currents
Winds
• Policies
• New Software
• Training
• Compensation
and metrics
Currents
• Culture
• Informal
communication
• Partner attitude
• Partner behaviour