The Full Service Law Firm – or Is It?
How many times have I heard the words “full service” mentioned? What does it (actually) mean? Full service of what? Law? Legal advice? Commercial advice? Commonsense advice? Or, all the services, of whatever…
A pile of wasted talent
I have spent the last year on a mission: to challenge all lawyers to answer the fundamental question:
“Are you the most of anything?”
I don’t just mean, are you making progress up the slippery slope to partnership? No, I mean making the most of your ability.
But, in truth, where I really want to aim this question is at the people (supposedly) in charge.
The question, of course, has to be reframed: “Are you making the most of the talent within your midst?” But it is posited on the same foundation.
Don’t leave your personality at the front door
How much of yourself do you bring to the office?
Is it (really) you who pitches up every day?
The critical question:
“Are you a true person of yourself?”
The reason I posit this is because, apart from the uniform, professional practice doesn’t embrace difference. I don’t mean diversity, although that it is important. I mean the weird, contrary or different. Even if that seems too f-a-r o-u-t, the business at hand, and the culture of the firm seems to elide any trace of personality.
