Fixing the bugs in the legal profession.

Much of what ails the legal profession can be fixed.  Here are 5 places to start.

1. Leadership training and coaching for partners.  Being smart, senior, or a big earner is not an excuse to be toxic. Stay on top of proven leadership skills and styles effective and appropriate in today’s workplace culture.
2. Overhaul the law firm business model with enough professionals to service the clients and work. No more throwing nights, weekends, and holidays into the grinder.
3. More paralegals please! These desperately needed professionals are on an excellent career path, both for working in a firm or independently serving solo and small firms. Let’s create a plan to actively promote this profession.
4. Stop saying millennials are lazy. They aren’t lazy.  You don’t get through law school without knowing how to work hard.  They are clear headed about wanting a life in law.  See point two above.  Millennials are key to transforming the practice of law for the better.
5. Expand existing mentorship programs for junior lawyers. The one-to-one model is valuable and successful, especially when coupled with innovative programs giving access to a diversity of mentors.

The good news? Advances are being made. I know of firms that are overhauling their business models.  Lawyers developing their leadership capabilities.  Millennials shaking things up for the better.  And innovative mentorship programs are emerging.

What will you do in 2021 to transform the practice of law for the better?