Pickering Pearce’s Post

With expanding mandates and responsibilities, General Counsels have become more integrated and embedded members of executive leadership teams. The below article explores one way companies are leveraging the skills of legal executives to build better efficiencies and collaborations across corporate functions - through the Chief Administrative Officer position. A special thank you to all of our contributors, including those who consented to be listed below, and to Sarah Cullen for her partnership in authoring this article. #generalcounsel #chiefadministrativeofficer #chieflegalofficer #marlinhawk #executivesearch

The role and influence of General Counsels and Chief Legal Officers have seen significant expansion in recent years. Executive leaders require GCs and CLOs who can act as business partners, strategic advisors, and leaders not only for the legal department, but for the whole organization. As the functional responsibilities of the GC expand beyond the traditional remits of legal and compliance, the GC title may no longer be the pinnacle role for legal leaders within the C-Suite. Instead, some organizations have elevated their legal executive leaders into a broader level role within the executive leadership team: the Chief Administrative Officer. Brandy Russell and Sarah Cullen authored our most recent piece, Going Beyond General Counsel: Is the Chief Administrative Officer Role the New Pathway for Legal Executives?, which explores the prevalence and scope of the CAO role across Fortune 500 companies and large, privately held organizations today, as well as the benefit of a corporate structure that includes a CAO.   We would like to thank all of our incredible contributors including those who graciously consented to be listed: Alan McKenna, Andrew Wise, Anthony Joseph, Brian Farley, Deb Steiner, Hannah Gordon, JoAnn Neale, Katie Rowen, Kyle Cavanaugh, Linda Rutherford, Mike Burgoyne, Peter Bragdon, and Robert Villaseñor.   Link to the full article: https://lnkd.in/e-8RDhsP Link to Marlin Hawk insights:  https://lnkd.in/eiJwMxP7 #chiefadministrativeofficer #generalcounsel #chieflegalofficer

Law firm leaders, join INTA's webinar on Thursday on how to attract and maintain law firm talent through innovative compensation models. Panelists include ALG’s Managing Partner Sheja Ehtesham, Nadine Jacobson and Peter Johnson, and will be moderated by Kate O'Rourke. The webinar will address how firms can improve compensation models to become more equitable and incentivizing, while aligning with their core values and managing profitability. For more information visit https://lnkd.in/daJR3bAM #leadershipdevelopment #lawfirmmanagement #intellectualproperty #inta

View From the Top - Firm Leadership Interviews We are pleased to announce our latest firm leadership interview is with Miriam Figueroa, Managing Partner of DLA Piper, Puerto Rico. Miriam has extensive experience advising clients on infrastructure projects, public finance, public-private partnerships and administrative law. She has also advised government and private clients on energy related matters. You can read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eJF_EgHa The 'View From the Top' firm leadership interviews are dedicated to the exploring various aspects of the legal industry from a leadership perspective, while also highlighting personal experiences and insights from leaders within the global legal profession. #Adminlaw #Publiclaw #compliance #managingpartner #leadinglawyer

I had the chance to attend a fantastic networking session this week which included some really insightful panel discussions. Yes, there was an AI conversation, of course. There was also a panel of leadership Partners from London’s big-law market, and a client panel of senior in-house leaders from an impressive list of household name organisations. Lots to digest and lots of areas covered, I of course firmly applied my legal resource management / strategic work allocation lens to it all and wanted to share a couple of thoughts. Partner Panel So much of what the Partner’s discussed related to how they can operate efficiently and profitability. How they win and keep clients, and how they attract, develop and retain talent. There’s so much in this that can be supported and driven forward by good process around managing lawyer careers, and embracing an objective and data-driven approach to allocating and managing work. As we’ve seen with the firms we at BigHand are working with on resource management, there’s huge value in making sure you have the right people doing the right work. Including ensuring lawyers have equitable access to the work they need for their development and to serve their career interests, ensuring they have the right balance from a well-being perspective, and working to make sure matters are structured in a way that offers the right leverage of teams, the optimal use of skills and experience, and an overall profitable approach. Customer Panel The clients what to work with law firms in a better way. They want business partners who understand them and can work with them collaboratively to achieve their goals. Basically, they want a relationship. They have a real focus on costs at the moment and they want partners who will be transparent with them around how work is being delivered and who’s doing it. They would appreciate more secondment opportunities, and, they want firms to mirror their commitment and achievement in driving diversity. That last one is something they’re not seeing enough and it was a big focus of the discussion. Guess what, I believe strongly that resource management is an incredibly powerful, and proven, opportunity for law firms to answer these challenges from their clients and the market. So great to see connections old and new at the event as well. Dave Cook Vanessa Jerrom

🌟 Succession Planning for Law Firms in Ontario: A Blueprint for the Future 🌟 In the dynamic legal landscape of Ontario, the challenge of maintaining a law firm's continuity and legacy is more pressing than ever. 🏛️ Succession planning emerges as a pivotal strategy, not just for navigating retirements but as a foundational element for growth and stability. 🔍 We're diving into essential advice for Ontario law firms on crafting effective succession plans. From identifying the next generation of leaders 🌱, ensuring smooth client transitions 💼, to preserving the firm's core values and legacy 📜, we're covering it all. Key Highlights: Identifying Potential Leaders: It's about more than legal expertise; it's about finding those who embody the firm's values and have shown leadership potential. Through mentorship programs, leadership training, and gradual increases in responsibility, firms can prepare their future leaders. 🌟 Transitioning Clients: The heart of a law firm's success lies in its client relationships. Early and transparent communication, joint client meetings, and a robust feedback loop can ease the transition, maintaining trust and satisfaction. 👥 Preserving the Firm's Legacy and Values: The essence of a firm is in its history and values. Documenting these, integrating them into decision-making, and launching legacy projects can ensure these vital aspects are carried forward. 🛡️ Succession planning is a nuanced, ongoing process that demands attention and action. It's time for Ontario law firms to lay the groundwork for a prosperous and stable future. 🚀 #LawFirmManagement #SuccessionPlanning #OntarioLawFirms #LegalIndustry #LeadershipTransition #FutureProofing

🌟 Succession Planning for Law Firms in Ontario: A Blueprint for the Future 🌟 In the dynamic legal landscape of Ontario, the challenge of maintaining a law firm's continuity and legacy is more pressing than ever. 🏛️ Succession planning emerges as a pivotal strategy, not just for navigating retirements but as a foundational element for growth and stability. 🔍 We're diving into essential advice for Ontario law firms on crafting effective succession plans. From identifying the next generation of leaders 🌱, ensuring smooth client transitions 💼, to preserving the firm's core values and legacy 📜, we're covering it all. Key Highlights: Identifying Potential Leaders: It's about more than legal expertise; it's about finding those who embody the firm's values and have shown leadership potential. Through mentorship programs, leadership training, and gradual increases in responsibility, firms can prepare their future leaders. 🌟 Transitioning Clients: The heart of a law firm's success lies in its client relationships. Early and transparent communication, joint client meetings, and a robust feedback loop can ease the transition, maintaining trust and satisfaction. 👥 Preserving the Firm's Legacy and Values: The essence of a firm is in its history and values. Documenting these, integrating them into decision-making, and launching legacy projects can ensure these vital aspects are carried forward. 🛡️ Succession planning is a nuanced, ongoing process that demands attention and action. It's time for Ontario law firms to lay the groundwork for a prosperous and stable future. 🚀 #LawFirmManagement #SuccessionPlanning #OntarioLawFirms #LegalIndustry #LeadershipTransition #FutureProofing

“Part of being in a global business is to accept that you meet people where they are, and you meet cultures where they are. It requires open-mindedness to listen to people. And it's also—again, maybe as a globalist, which I unapologetically am—the best part of all this.” What else inspires Tamara Box, a partner and leading lawyer of the Structured Finance team at Reed Smith LLP, to collaborate with others across different cultures and jurisdictions? Find out on the new episode of Insights from the Top: Law Firm Leadership, hosted by BRG Executive Chairman David Teece. #leadership #diversity #InsightsFromTheTop

With companies reimagining their legal resourcing, we have seen a growing appetite for the fractional GC - senior lawyers with a generalist skillset who are comfortable taking a hands-on leadership role. In this new article, Peerpoint’s Emma Morrison and Judy-Anne Patulot and Allen & Overy partner, Will Samengo-Turner explore the increasing demand from businesses and how these roles provide value and expertise that's highly cost-effective. Find out more: https://shorturl.at/fyzRW #FractionalGC #FlexibleLegalResourcing #LegalSolutions

With companies reimagining their legal resourcing, we have seen a growing appetite for the fractional GC - senior lawyers with a generalist skillset who are comfortable taking a hands-on leadership role. In this new article, Peerpoint’s Emma Morrison and Judy-Anne Patulot and Allen & Overy partner, Will Samengo-Turner explore the increasing demand from businesses and how these roles provide value and expertise that's highly cost-effective. Find out more: https://shorturl.at/fyzRW #FractionalGC #FlexibleLegalResourcing #LegalSolutions