employment – Reinventing Professional Services by Ari Kaplan

Category: employment

February 27, 2019

The Rise of Freelance Lawyers in 2019

I spoke with Greg Garman, the co-founder of LAWCLERK, an online marketplace of freelance lawyers, and a founding partner with Garman Turner Gordon.

We discussed the genesis of LAWCLERK, how Garman balances his LAWCLERK responsibilities with those of a practicing lawyer, the type of firms for which LAWCLERK’s freelancers are most appropriate, the projects that LAWCLERK’s freelancers can handle, the risks and advantages associated with hiring freelance attorneys over full-time associates, and how the freelance market for attorneys will impact the profession in 2019.

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August 23, 2018

Aligning Legal Education with the Business of Law

I spoke with Anthony Crowell, the dean and president of New York Law School, which recently launched a Business of Law Institute and released a market research report called – The Business of Law: A Market Research Study to Explore Opportunities for New York Law School Students – which helped to support the new initiative. [Disclosure: New York Law School engaged Ari Kaplan Advisors to produce this new report.]

We discussed the genesis of the Business of Law Institute, why it was important for the study to combine qualitative interviews, quantitative analytics, and student focus groups, the report’s key findings, its surprises, and how the law school’s new initiative reflects the trajectory of legal education and the profession.

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Embracing Legal Innovation and Disruption

I spoke with David Cowen, the president and managing director of The Cowen Group, a staffing and recruiting firm focusing exclusively on the eDiscovery, litigation support, privacy, security, and information governance sectors. His firm also produces the Summit on Legal Innovation and Disruption in various cities across the U.S.

We discussed the genesis of the SOLID summit, why the legal industry so focused on innovation and disruption this year, how individuals can give themselves an advantage in an increasingly competitive job market, and how events like SOLID capture the evolution of the legal profession.

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October 20, 2017

Strategies for Succeeding as a Solo

I spoke with Nancy Mertzel, former chair of Herrick, Feinstein’s intellectual property group, who recently founded Mertzel Law PLLC, a boutique IP law firm.

We discussed the genesis of Mertzel Law, the greatest challenges to brand protection in today’s competitive marketplace, the unique obstacles that former large firm attorneys face in launching solo practices, the key qualities for success in today’s environment, and advice for new lawyers entering the profession seeking to achieve work-life balance.

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Reinventing the Search for Legal Talent

I spoke with Stacey McConnell, an attorney and the co-founder of the Adept Legal Talent Group, a legal placement firm.

We discussed the genesis of the Adept Legal Talent Group, what makes the firm unique, the background and levels of experience the firm is seeking, its target clients, and tips that employers should consider when engaging in the talent acquisition process.

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How a Professional Career is Like a Landscape

I spoke with Peter Rouse, an intellectual property lawyer and a serial entrepreneur, who is the founder of the Rouse Firm, an international intellectual property consulting business. Peter is also the author of Every Relationship Matters: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform Your Business, Your Firm, and Yourself, the second edition of which the ABA released last summer.

We discussed the genesis and new edition of Every Relationship Matters: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform Your Business, Your Firm, and Yourself, how technology is impacting the way lawyers practice, Where professionals should focus their efforts and develop skills to remain relevant, and whether one can create an instruction manual for a successful professional career. Peter also shared two of his key career themes:

Do what you say you are going to do to build trust.
Managing expectations is what client service is about.

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February 9, 2017

The Emerging Legal Tech Gig Economy

I spoke with Jared Coseglia, the founder and CEO of TRU Staffing Partners, a leading e-discovery and cybersecurity staffing agency.

We discussed the genesis of TRU Staffing Partners, current trends in e-discovery and cybersecurity talent acquisition, the impact of consolidation on the industry, the emerging legal technology gig economy, the e-discovery and cybersecurity roles that are in greatest demand, and tips for gaining a competitive advantage in your career or the job market.

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October 30, 2015

Career Progression and the Certification Movement

I spoke with Rick Rattray, the senior vice president and general manager for BarBri Professional Associations, an organization that trains attorneys, litigation support staff and financial services professionals. BarBri also provides certifications in e-discovery and financial crimes.

We discussed the mission of BarBri’s professional associations division, the benefits of certification, the requirements, and key trends in legal education, among other topics.

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October 22, 2015

Reinventing Legal Practice With Freelance Attorneys

I spoke with Shelley Whitehead, the founder and CEO of LegalBee, a network of freelance attorneys that provides temporary legal services for solo practitioners and small law firms.

We discussed the genesis of LegalBee, the rise of freelance attorneys, how a freelance network can enhance how solo practitioners and small law firms service their clients, and the future of this sector, among other issues.

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Identifying Innovative Legal Models for Happy Clients & Happy Lawyers

I spoke with Deborah Epstein Henry, an internationally recognized expert, consultant and public speaker on the future of the legal profession, new legal models, women in the law, and work/life balance. She is the author of LAW & REORDER: Legal Industry Solutions for Restructure, Retention, Promotion & Work/Life Balance (ABA, 2010) and co-author of FINDING BLISS: Innovative Legal Models for Happy Clients & Happy Lawyers (ABA, 2015). She is also the co-founder and managing director of Bliss Lawyers, a firm that employs high-caliber lawyers to work on engagements for in-house legal department and law firm clients.

We discussed her new book, examples of innovation in both new and traditional legal models, and best practices for measuring value and harnessing talent, among other topics.

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