The Legalpreneurs Sandbox

In the fifth podcast in this collection focusing on providing practical support and assistance for those working in the legal ecosystem during this time of extreme change, we discussed the financial management of legal businesses with Warrick McLean, CEO, Coleman Greig Lawyers in Assessing your Financial Situation Right Now (for Law Firms). We discussed what law firm leaders and managers need to be identifying, analysing and thinking about as they take stock of where their legal businesses sit financially including: Why it's important to undertake a mini audit What financial information needs to be reviewed and how to review it How to identify, minimise/review key expenses e.g. premises (leases), people and fixed costs How to identify, assess, categorise and deal with current, future and unlikely sources of income Key areas that need to be monitored, leveraged or minimised today like cash flow, overdrafts, deferred payment options, and payment extensions COVID-19 specific key areas to consider like access government backed loans, rebates and support Thank you, Warrick for these super practical tips – so important and helpful right now! P.S. This podcast was also recorded as a webinar. We will post the link to the video once it is available.

In the fourth podcast in this collection focusing on providing practical support and assistance for those working in the legal ecosystem during this time of extreme change, we spoke with John Poulsen, Principal at People Passion Performance on Mental Health and Well-being in the New Legal Work Place. There's a lot of stress and anxiety in the legal community right now, and there's lots of very good reasons for it so, we wanted to devote this podcast to providing some thoughts and advice on how we might find some calm in the storm, a place from which we can make good decisions, give good advice, and be the best we can for all the people in our lives. Before establishing his own consultancy, John spent many years in law firms and most recently as the Austral Managing Partner and CEO of Squire Patton Boggs. He has a deep understanding of lawyers, legal professionals, legal practice and, just like all of us, is living through the COVID-19 pandemic right now. We could not think of anyone better qualified to chat with us about this hugely important topic. Thank you so much, John – we love your passion for people and their mental health, well-being and…performance! P.S. If you would like to refer to the resources mentioned in this podcast, you will find them at: Minds Count Foundation – The 13 Workplace Factors C. Otto Scharmer, Theory U: Leading From the Future As It Emerges, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, (January 1, 2009) Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now, New World Library, (August 19, 2004)

In the third podcast in this collection focusing on providing practical support and assistance for those working in the legal ecosystem during this time of extreme change, we discussed what to do right now if you are faced with a changed or changing role, the need to retrain, upskill and, perhaps even having to find a new role in a different place, today or in 6 or 12 months from now. We spoke with international recruitment guru Katherine Mountford, Principal at KM Talent. Katherine has worked in different roles and started her own business so she has, quite literally, been there and done the sorts of things we cover in this podcast. Thank you so much Katherine – loved the practical, positive, common sense tips on moving forward in a time of change! P.S. If you would like to read the article referred to in this podcast, you will find it here: John H. Zenger, Joseph Folkman and Scott Edinger, "Making Yourself Indispensable," HBR, (October 2011).

In the second podcast in this collection focusing on providing practical support and assistance to those working in the legal ecosystem during this time of extreme change, we spoke communication gurus Sharon de Bomford, Principal at Write Results and Olivia Kruimel, Senior Marketing Manager, Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered Bank. Sharon and Olivia have both spent many years in law firm communication roles crafting the messages that help find calm in a storm, so they know a thing or two about the topic of this podcast: The Dos and Don'ts of Internal and External Crisis Communications for Law Firms. And, it's a very important topic for law firms right now! When there's so much going on, it can be hard to work out what to say, who to address it to and when to say it. It's a delicate balance – get it right, and the marketplace embraces you, get it wrong and the opposite is true. And, people have long memories! But, it's not only the external marketplace at large that you need to focus on…your firm's clients and staff need to know what you're thinking too. In tough times, clients need to know your firm can still provide the services they need. Your staff are concerned about their jobs. Saying nothing is not an option. So, how do you get the right message to the right people at the right time? These are the questions we answer in this podcast…along with a bunch more too! Thank you so much Sharon and Olivia for sharing your experience, practical tips and common sense approach to this topic – fabulous! Sharon has also written an excellent blog post which listeners will also find helpful, it's titled 'Communicating in a crisis – a guide for smaller professional services firms'. and you'll find it here.

In the next few podcasts in this series, we'll be focusing on providing practical support and assistance to those working in the legal ecosystem during a time of extreme change. Our hearts go out to our legal community and to every other community – we're all hurting right now and working on how to cope with the COVID-19 global pandemic. We hope you'll find, in these podcasts, words of encouragement, hope and help as you find your way to the other side and the next normal – and, we'll be here for you, as you do. We're starting this group of podcasts by asking an amazing group of law firm leaders, managers and consultants how they are creating a pathway forward for their clients, employees and firms - Leading and Managing their Law Firms in Difficult Times. We spoke with Catriona MacLeod, Director, Cullen MacLeod Lawyers; Marcus McCarthy, Principal, Nexus Law Group; Warrick McLean, CEO, Coleman Greig Lawyers; and Katherine Thomas, CEO, Free Range Lawyers and Managing Director of Katherine Thomas Consulting. Thank you Catriona, Marcus, Warrick and Katherine for your candour and compassion – you are wonderful ambassadors for the legal community and shining examples of why we can be certain our community will survive!

The legal industry has changed. It stands to reason that legal education should too. But, that's a big ship to turn around and it's taking more time than the unrelenting pace of business today can easily accommodate. To be fair, it's not just legal education under scrutiny here, it's the whole higher education sector but within it, many would readily agree that law has been one of the most reluctant to embrace change! And, while some of the issues are undeniably complex and rightfully demand careful consideration, that in and of itself cannot be a reason to refrain from experimentation, especially in experiential and practical legal education. So, what will the new practical legal education regime look like? That's a question being debated across the world right now. It's on the agenda as much for the early adopters of practical legal education models like Australia, through those preparing new entrants for new legal practice models like the UK, to those in transition to different models by state versus nationally like the US. The approaches being considered or implemented are also different. Some providers offer stop gap measures, and some are building bridges. Some of these models will stay and some will go. Some are working on their models in isolation and others through collaboration. And then there's the legal education innovators, a small group who are thinking outside the box - reimagining, reinventing and embracing a new way of thinking about the function, role and importance of the rule of law, access to justice and the different ways to practice law - and creating education opportunities to prepare people for that reality! Legal Innovators (LI), a Washington, DC based organisation, has created one of these new practical legal education opportunities. It bridges the gap between law school and legal practice. Its own business and education models draw on the significant real-world experience of its founders. LI has created an alternative legal education model for law students and early career lawyers - one that emphasises and embraces the importance of diversity and inclusion in contemporary legal practice, is founded on providing relevant learning opportunities, mentoring and supporting law students in their transition from law school to legal practice. It's an organisation leading by example, getting on with solving the practical legal education gap in the US and making a difference. It's a new model for legal education - more connected with industry, focusing on learning on the job and, getting a job at the end of the day. We spoke with Jon Greenblatt, Co-founder and Chairman of LI to learn more about the US legal education sector, the issues LI sought to solve and how it has gone about doing it. Thank you so much, Jon - congrats to you, Bryan Parker and Team LI for changing mindsets, changing lives and doing legal education differently!

Who got us here, won't get us there! That's the new catchcry for the next legal workforce. Different times call for different capabilities. There are just too many fast moving pieces and too many capabilities required for the effective, efficient and relevant delivery of legal services/products for this to be the remit of one group within the legal industry - the lawyers. The next legal workforce is truly multidisciplinary, its a consequence of changed client/employee expectations and the integration of legaltech/AI but its impact is far reaching - it's changing law firm business models, work practices and culture. We discussed all of this and much more with global legal talent management guru Sue Manch, Chief Talent Officer at international law firm Winston & Strawn LLP. Sue has been a thought leader and change agent in this space for many years, she's someone who is redefining and reshaping the contemporary legal workforce and, in this podcast, provides great examples of how her firm is making change happen. Topics we discussed included: How the changes in legal practice are impacting legal talent management strategies How the profile of the contemporary legal workforce has changed - new work, new roles, new ways and places to work The emergence of common core capabilities in law firms and how these feature in things like recruitment and promotion for everyone New and different ways to learn, what and when to learn, and the link between adaptability, continual improvement and continual learning The importance of coaching and its role in promoting business and personal agility, better communication, and better relationships The connection and importance of diversity and inclusion and its integral connection to innovation The importance of well being and mental health programs in law firms and how these are shaping different work practices, law firm business models and culture The need for, reality of, and steps being taken towards career paths for all law firms professionals, not just lawyers. Thank you so much, Sue - your work inspires us all!

It's not enough to be innovative or innovate! It's not a one off proposition. In the legal industry today, it's increasingly about continuous improvement, agility and embedding these core capabilities in law firms/legal departments so they underpin and drive the way business is done every day - this IS the new firm/organisational culture. But, so much change so quickly can also be exhausting. We asked Maya Markovich, Chief Growth Officer at Dentons' Nextlaw Labs, how firms/organisations are introducing, advancing and sustaining legal innovation - and a whole lot more! Nextlaw Labs was a pioneer in the law firm R&D space and has continued to experiment, iterate, expand and lead despite increased activity and competition in the market. Topics we discussed included: The difference between an incubator, accelerator and legal R&D department The difference in the lawyer, legalpreneurs and entrepreneurial mindset The impact and importance of a multidisciplinary approach to innovation The role of intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs in law firms and legal departments The role, function and impact of Chief Innovation Officers and innovation committees and, what they need to thrive Whether or not law firms should be investing in legaltech development How collaboration is the glue for law firms/legal departments and multidisciplinary approaches to the development of legaltech and the implementation of innovative projects What's driving the current significant increase in investment in legaltech/AI globally and if the legal industry is approaching a tipping point And, what's the BIG thing on the legaltech/AI or the legal innovation horizon in the next three years. Thank you, Maya, for an amazing conversation and for hosting us in sunny downtown Oakland, California!

As 2019 draws to a close, it seemed like a good time to celebrate our 10th TLPS podcast episode looking back on how the legal industry fared in terms of legaltech and innovation: What happened? What surprised us? What didn't happen and maybe disappointed us? And, what should we watch for in 2020? We were joined on this partly reflective and partly prospective journey by an amazing group of legaltech/innovation gurus: Caryn Sandler, Partner and Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer at Gilbert & Tobin; Warrick McLean, CEO at Colman Grieg Lawyers; and Graeme Grovum, Principal at legal industry consultancy Alpha Creates. Topics covered in our discussion included: What stood out in legaltech and innovation in 2019? And, how it showed up in law firm/legal department strategic priorities, Managing Partner/CEO agendas and industry research. What trends were expected or surprised the legal industry in 2019? What was the uptake of legaltech and innovation in law firms in 2019? Was uptake being driven by clients or a new level of skills/industry maturity or a discernible move towards a culture of continuous improvement or something else? And, how would that change in 2020? How did industry change support and shape new legal work and a new workforce profile in 2019? Was it redefining the definition of "team"? Would that continue in 2020? Did changes in work and the workforce in 2019 also change the way law firms worked with their clients e.g. in-house counsel and, vice versa? Where did Australia rate in the take up of legaltech/innovation in law firms on a scale of 1-5 (1 being little or none and 5 being we're all over it)? And, where did that place Australia in the Asia-Pacific region? What were the big trends to look for in 2020 and, how should the legal industry prepare for them? And finally, would 2020 bring with it a new opportunity for optimism for legaltech/innovation, or something different? Thank you Caryn, Warrick and Graeme for a wonderful conversation – we love your work! And, all our friends around the world, thank you for your support in 2019, we can't wait to be part of your lives again in 2020. Our very best wishes to you and your families for a restful, joyful and peaceful holiday season!

The opportunity and challenge of legaltech/lawtech and legal innovation is that they are borderless! Collaborations, experience sharing and networks in this space are increasingly global but, that can also make keeping up to date even more difficult. In this episode, we're joined by Nick Watson, a serial legalpreneur, who is the Managing Director of Ruby Datum Virtual Data Rooms and the founder of the LawTech London group. Nick is based in London and spent time chatting with us about the UK lawtech and innovation scene as well as what lies ahead in 2020. The topics covered in our conversation included: The difference between lawtech/legaltech and the definition of innovation The hot topics in lawtech and legal innovation in the UK today Where the UK rates on a scale of 1-5 (1 being little or none and 5 being we're all over it) in the take up of lawtech and innovation The drivers and obstacles in that take up and, if there are any discernible differences between law firms/in-house legal departments and/or where lawyers work Where lawyers go to learn about lawtech and legal innovation in the UK How Australia and the UK compare in the lawtech/legal innovation worlds And finally, the one big thing we should watch for in lawtech/legal innovation coming out of the UK in 2020. Thanks so much for visiting with us, Nick – please come back to Oz soon!