As featured on LinkedIn, April 24, 2024.
Is there an idyllic law firm, one with the perfect culture? It’s the firm that has an effortless time attracting and retaining the finest lawyers and other professionals. It’s also the firm that turns out the very best work due to the lack of silos between practice areas and rainmakers.
While I don’t think the perfect firm exists, there are a few things I’ve seen several of my clients’ firms do to create a strong positive culture. While taken together they may not create a version of a Seurat painting, these steps may be helpful in getting at least a sketch from which to start.
- Create a compensation system for lawyers and all other professionals that rewards collaboration in client service, new business generation and working on a cross-functional basis.
- Consistently remind those in the firm and vendors who work with the firm of the firm’s cultural foundation, purpose and goals. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
- Don’t allow bad behavior by anyone, particularly by partners. If you see something, say something. By allowing partners to remain at the firm who mistreat one another, staff, or vendors, you are sending a message to the rest of the firm (and frankly, to the outside world) that this behavior is acceptable. Get them help or get them out.
- Reward those who do an exemplary job of demonstrating the firm’s values. They are the benchmark. Retain them by showing them respect.
