Despite being the height of US directory season, I managed to sneak into two interesting legal events last week.
It’s tempting to give these things a miss when you’re flat out on client work, but I find that you never regret attending educational events.
You always come away learning something, which expands your knowledge and makes you better at your job.
The first seminar was organized by City University’s Cass Business School, and the session – Leading Autonomous Followers: Power and Politics in Professional Service Firms – was led by Professor Laura Empson from the School’s Centre for Professional Service Firms.
I was worried there might be a bit too much academic/management wonkery (the term “leadership constellation” cropped up a lot, for example), but Ms.Empson’s findings into how things get decided in major law firms were fascinating.
Her latest study follows a previous report “Who’s in Charge? Understanding Leadership Dynamics in Professional Service Firms” in which she explored leadership, power, and politics in law firms.
You can read that report and watch the video, while the latest report is here.
An enjoyable panel discussion after the keynote was moderated by Financial Times management writer, Stefan Stern, who is also a visiting professor at Cass.
The panel featured David Morley, Allen & Overy’s worldwide senior partner, and EY global managing partner Mike Cullen.
ReInvent Law London 2014
Later in the week was the third annual gathering of ReinventLaw in London.
The event has grown and matured since 2012, when it was largely the preserve of a small band of early adopters and futurists.
Now it offers a broader mix of speakers, and more practical applications than the blunt “change or die” message that was the hallmark of its first outings.
The conference offers a lengthy line-up of speakers, all of whom have just a few minutes, so it moves quickly.
It’s tough to pick out standouts because the talks cater to a range of people involved in the legal sector, and some will interest certain groups more than others.
However, I enjoyed listening to Brian Inkster, who runs a small law firm in Scotland.
He avoided the grand vision stuff by offering simple, practical suggestions on how creative marketing techniques can help small firms in local communities bring in new business.
On the large firm side of things, Reena SenGupta, whose consultancy produces the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers reports, gave an excellent speech called Big Law Reimagined.
Thanks Lloyd, thanks for sharing these educational events. Appreciate being able to see what law industry leaders are talking about in the UK.
No probs Richard, glad you liked it. Lloyd.