Posted by Arnie Herz on January 31, 2005
Yes, it seems that Tony the Tiger was a trendsetter. Like many, many others, I'm in the midst of reading Jim Collins' latest bestseller Good to Great. The book theorizes that great companies all possess "a corporate culture that rigorously found and promoted disciplined people to think and act in a disciplined manner." As I've read along, I've thought a lot about how the book's blueprint for greatness applies to law firms. So, I was happy to come across this article discussing that very subject. The author makes many valid points, but I think the most salient is that law firms can't cultivate excellence unless they choose and train leaders based on outstanding people and business skills rather than seniority, billable quotas and rainmaking.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 29, 2005
Curt Rosengren posted a great question over at Worthwhile blog. After stating that he's witnessed a paradigm shift toward career decisions "made with an eye toward creating a rich, meaningful, fulfilling life," he asks us to let him know what shifts we see "out there" and what shifts we'd like to see. In the legal sector, I've heard an amplifying call to address public discontent with the profession and to remedy rising rates of lawyer attrition and burn out. Client demand for trusted counselors and alternative fee structures will propel a shift towards reinstating the law as a real service industry that deems its customers' long-term interests paramount.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 26, 2005
Here's a little quiz to see if you possess "the power of nice," a/k/a those professional courtesy skills that make people want to interact with you. The test's preamble cautions: "While many professionals believe they have acquired the power of nice, the actions of many are turn-offs and even offensive to others." How do you think you'll rate?
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 24, 2005
The Occupational Adventure pointed out this article recapping a study of Gen-X and Gen-Y views on "job satisfaction, work-life support, gender roles and attitudes." The study found that these two generations boast workers who are "more likely to be 'dual-centric' (with equal priorities on both career and family) and less 'work-centric' (putting higher priority on their jobs than family) compared to members of the Boomer generation." Busy "redefining their priorities in life and in work," the men and women of Gen-X and Gen-Y are choosing to spend more time with their children and opting for the status quo over a climb up the career ladder. I've posted on this topic before. The questions remain: how is this evolution in worker priorities and values impacting law firms today and how will it shape the profession's future as more and more legal service providers and consumers become balance-centric?
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 21, 2005
I'm happy to report that the New York State Bar Association is taking the lead from its president, Kenneth G. Standard, and will address the issue of work-life balance at its annual meeting being held Monday, January 24th - Saturday, January 29th at the Marriott Marquis at 1535 Broadway in New York City. Co-sponsored by The Special Committee on Balanced Lives in the Law and The Committee on Attorney Professionalism, the program "Quest for a Balanced Life in 21st Century Law Practice" will be offered from 9:00am-12:35pm on Thursday, January 27th. Topics covered will include: flex-time work; stress and time management; promoting civility; public perception of the profession; and technological developments. You can register online through the NYSBA. I'll see you there.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 19, 2005
The Project for Attorney Retention endeavors to "improve recruiting and retention of talented attorneys" through alternative work schedules that support work-life balance. The Project has a new book entitled "Solving the Part-Time Puzzle: The Law Firm's Guide to Balanced Hours" by Joan C. Williams and Cynthia Thomas Calvert (NALP 2004). According to a promotional blurb, the book "presents the business case for balanced hours programs; describes methods of analyzing the effectiveness of current part-time programs; and provides clear advice on implementation of a balanced hours program. Appendices include a model balanced hours policy, an attrition cost worksheet, and a checklist for attorneys."
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 17, 2005
During my vacation, I met a retired lawyer who shared his views on the alleged atrophy of professionalism many lawyers complain of today. He believes this is nothing new. As an up-and-coming partner at a Midwestern firm, he heard the same complaint from his mentors who had heard it from their own mentors and so on back in time. By his own admission, early in his career, he relished a good legal battle. If an adversary was rude, boastful or downright underhanded, it only increased his drive to succeed. As he matured as a lawyer and individual, however, he began to lose patience with insolent and deceptive practitioners. He saw their tactics as unnecessary hindrances to the legal process that squandered the resources of lawyers, law firms, courts and clients. So, in his world view, there likely is no rising incivility and decaying decorum in the profession these days. They're age-old problems. But, he did acknowledge that times have changed in that lawyers, educators and journalists are now ready and willing to bring these issues to light to facilitate profession-wide reform.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 14, 2005
It seems that lawyers can be a bit boorish or just plain boring when it comes to client wrangling. So, as this article details, some law firms are using training videos starring their own associates and partners to teach others "the art of business etiquette." According to the piece, "the development of videos focused on interpersonal skills is indicative of firms' increasing concern that, in an age of greater client mobility, their lawyers are not putting their best foot forward in face-to-face meetings." The volunteer actors deliberately overplay mock client scenarios to "illustrate a wide range of errors in judgment" - including improper attire, preoccupation with the ubiquitous BlackBerry and haughty requests to meet with "real decision-makers."
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 12, 2005
My wife just returned from doctor's appointment where a search for waiting room respite lead to Time Magazine's current cover story and related articles on "The Science of Happiness." I bought a copy, read a few of the pieces (some are available online without a subscription) and found them very enlightening. I particularly enjoyed the story entitled "Thank God It's Monday," which discusses the roots of job satisfaction, stating: "As researchers in psychology, economics and organizational behavior have been gradually discovering, the experience of being happy at work looks very similar across professions. People who love their jobs feel challenged by their work but in control of it. They have bosses who make them feel appreciated and co-workers they like. They can find meaning in whatever they do." This amalgam of articles goes a long way to show that, for all the differences that make us unique individuals with distinct lifestyles, we are very much alike and united in our quest for happiness.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 12, 2005
I'm a big fan of mentoring, which I've discussed here before. This article does a nice job of guiding junior associates on the quest for mentors. Stating that there's no magic formula for finding one, it compels seekers to: "Open your eyes and notice the mentors around you." Look to those who provide great feedback on, or help with, work assignments. And instead of singling out just one, try building a mentor network so you can benefit from your colleagues' different strengths and skills. "Take advantage of their collective wisdom and learn from their successes and their mistakes." The writer also advises mentor hunters to broaden the scope of the search by culling advisors from such sources as bar groups and alumni associations.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 10, 2005
In a previous incarnation, my wife was a prosecutor in New York City. She sent me this article profiling the Harlem Youth Court, one of some 950 courts nationwide where "neighborhood teenagers act as judge, jury, and lawyers at trials of peers." This is not a mock trial program. Rather, "participants hear real cases of teenaged defendants referred by the police or school administrators, and mete out sentences that include community service, anger management classes, and tutoring." Judges and jury members are culled from local schools or volunteer after hearing about the program. Defendants find it easier to discuss their missteps with other teens and "take the process seriously." Youth Court members, in turn, learn such important skills as "critical thinking, public speaking, and consensus building." They also gain insight into the workings of the legal system and legal profession.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 7, 2005
At this time of year, it's great to consider all the blessings and good fortune in our lives. World affairs might be daunting and our days stressful, but there's still so much to be grateful for. I found this article about life changes prompted by lawyer Gayla Green's near-fatal heart attack quite thought provoking.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 5, 2005
Thanks to the always interesting Adam Smith, Esq. blog for pointing out this article on the "tyranny" of the legal profession's billable hour standard. The ABA and other observers have linked this accounting method to the high rates of attrition and burnout among lawyers. Law students are transitioning into the work force with unrealistic expectations about the "real-world practice of law." They aren't prepared for the personal sacrifice that often comes with the billable hour territory. Like others, I believe that the billable hour is compromising the legal profession on many levels. But I see its eventual demise - or significant weakening - resulting from a combination of forces: client demand for alternative fee arrangements; law firm employee-retention initiatives; and, trickle-down demand from a generation of newly-minted lawyers who, educated about the nuances of the billable hour, simply refuse to forego work-life balance.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 3, 2005
I recently posted on the ways lawyers might benefit from the practice of appreciative inquiry. According to the Renaissance Lawyer Cable, an MCLE seminar entitled "Reviving Your Passion for Practicing Law Through Appreciative Inquiry" will be offered twice this month in California. The promotional material states that "AI's well-researched guiding principles demonstrate how readily a positive perspective can bring dreams to fruition. You will come away with a working knowledge of the AI process and the ability to convert problems [into] positive questions that evoke dialogue, dreams and opportunities for innovative action, simultaneously advancing your clients' goals and your own professional objectives." The first session takes place in Martinez, CA on 1/21/05. To register, contact the Contra Costa County Bar Association at 925-686-6900 or email dkavulich@cccba.org. To register for the next session offered in Walnut Creek, CA on 1/24/05, go here.
Posted by Arnie Herz on January 2, 2005
I was on a family vacation when news of the tsunami broke. Although we tried to shield our young children from the barrage of news and horrific images that flooded the media, they soon learned about the devastation. As we did on 9/11, my wife and I spent a lot of time answering their questions and reassuring them of their safety. In the days that followed, we also took the opportunity to share with our children the importance of reaching out to people in need and acknowledging the good deeds of others. I just came upon the Christian Science Monitor's extensive list of aid agencies accepting contributions for those affected by the earthquake and tsunamis in Asia. On a more personal note, The Prasad Project, a humanitarian organization I've long-served as pro bono general counsel, is partnering with Direct Relief International to support the relief efforts. Times like these compel us to look beyond day-to-day hassles and stressors and focus on the things in our lives that we're truly grateful for. I wish you all a happy and healthy 2005.
