The Agile Attorney Podcast

Discover how legal professionals can enhance their workflows without relying on new technology. The conversation dives into leveraging Kanban principles to streamline processes and improve client experiences. A fascinating case study reveals the transformative impact of Kanban during the pandemic. Insights from a training workshop highlight how adapting to better methods can elevate performance, making even outdated systems work better. Tune in for actionable strategies that any legal practitioner can implement today!

There are people all over the US who find themselves in legal binds, but are unable to get the legal help they need. As we enter this season of giving, this episode is here to highlight an Access to Justice success story that I've been fortunate enough to be a part of, albeit one that is still very much in its early chapters. I’m sharing this to spread a little hope, but also to illustrate some Agile tools and concepts that you might be able to use in your own private practice.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/45

When you’re buried in work, your to-do list is flowing off the page, and you’re feeling totally overwhelmed in your day-to-day activities, I invite you to hit play on this episode. I go old school, describing how to build a very simple Kanban board on your wall, a whiteboard, or any simple Kanban system. Discover how using even the most basic Kanban board can help you break down your work into manageable pieces, focus on what matters most, and start crossing those items off your list with confidence, one sticky note at a time.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/44

One of the biggest challenges law firms face when moving away from hourly billing and towards incorporating flat fees is motivating your team in a way that actually supports the new business model.Tune in this week as I challenge the conventional wisdom around using billable hours as a key performance metric, even for firms that bill by the hour. I explain why billable targets often work against efficiency and profitability, especially for firms incorporating flat fee billing. But more importantly, I dive into the social science behind human motivation and share proven strategies for tapping into your team's intrinsic drive to do great work.Get full show notes, transcript, and more here: https://www.agileattorney.com/43

Do you know the most profitable parts of your law practice? If you're like most lawyers, the answer is probably no. But without a clear understanding of matter-level profitability, you could be making costly decisions about where to invest your limited time and resources.In this episode, I explain why the traditional approach of using effective hourly rate to compare flat fee and hourly matters is flawed and what to do instead. By assigning a direct cost to each team member's time and calculating the gross profit on a matter-by-matter basis, you'll be able to make more informed decisions about which types of work to pursue. The result is a more profitable and intentional law practice.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/42Start your Agile transformation today and check out free resources, including my Law Firm Policy Template, to help you and your team develop a more Agile legal practice: https://www.agileattorney.com/start

Discover innovative strategies for transitioning from hourly billing to flat fees, making the leap less overwhelming. Explore real-world examples of how a phased approach can enhance workflows and profitability across various legal practices. Gain insights on how generative AI is reshaping the landscape, potentially automating a significant portion of tasks. Learn how adopting flat fee structures can boost client engagement and improve your firm's bottom line, especially in family law and estate planning.

Discover the exciting features of Clio Matter Stages and how they incorporate Kanban principles into legal workflow management. Engage with the advantages and potential limitations of this tool as unveiled at the Clio Cloud Conference. Learn essential techniques like queue columns and work-in-progress limits that can enhance your legal practice's efficiency. Plus, find out how implementing explicit Agile policies can transform your firm's operations for the better.

I’m a massive fan of Bottleneck Theory. This is the idea that you can make massive improvements to your legal workflows by finding and focusing on just one part of your overall system: the bottleneck. In this episode, I’m super excited to bring you an interview with The Bottleneck Guy himself, Clarke Ching.Tune in this week to explore where the bottlenecks might be in your legal practice, and discover how to address these constraints. We discuss how small iterative adjustments can create big changes in how work flows through your practice, and you’ll learn the value of preserving your capacity, so you don’t end up being a bottleneck in your own practice.For full show notes, transcript, and more information, visit: https://www.agileattorney.com/39Start your Agile transformation today and check out free resources, including my Law Firm Policy Template, to help you and your team develop a more Agile legal practice: https://www.agileattorney.com/start

Struggling with giving effective feedback? Discover why the criticism sandwich approach falls flat and learn about the importance of direct, actionable communication. Explore how setting clear quality standards can enhance team performance. The discussion addresses generational challenges, particularly regarding young lawyers, advocating for better training and support rather than blame. It parallels legal team management to youth sports coaching, revealing innovative methods for fostering growth and development within your team.

Explore the dynamic nature of legal work and its impact on workflow management. Discover the SIPOC method to analyze and streamline processes effectively. Learn how to identify bottlenecks and enhance efficiency by breaking down workflow components. Find out how to keep work flowing smoothly through your practice.