Foreword by Amanda K. Brady with Major, Lindsey & Africa
Every law firm C-suite professional knows that lawyers are data driven—and, as business owners, profit driven. If you expect an audience and ultimately a decision from a law firm’s attorney leadership team, it is imperative to come to the table with facts. In this study by Anita Turner of Collier’s Law Firm Services Group, the data proves what many of us already believed: Professional management of law firms has become a key differentiator for success.
CFOs and CMOs have been making headway in these organizations for the last decade, slowly but steadily proving their value. Not surprisingly, CHROs are becoming more involved in the full “talent” equation for firms focused on client service. And the increase in CIOs and CTOs demonstrates a clear recognition that these professionals are considered critical to a firm’s viability as they battle cyber-attacks on their own and their clients’ confidential data.
All that said, unfortunately no data exists (at least, to my knowledge) to demonstrate that the key to an effective C-suite is the acceptance of these professionals as a necessary part of the strategic business conversation. Despite employing C-suite professionals, at C-suite salaries, not every firm has embraced the full value of their contribution, still insisting that lawyers know best. The landscape is changing, to be sure, and just as Colliers has revealed with this invaluable report, that change consistently inures to the benefit of the lawyers who own and work at these firms.
