Legal Practice

Read about the latest trends and innovation in the legal practice and novel issues facing attorneys in the business of practicing law.

Law Firms Can Thrive in a Coming Recession. History Provides a Guide.

Most economists believe the U.S. is headed for a recession in 2023–or is already experiencing one.

Legal Market Report Says Firms Will Struggle to Retain Talent

The 2022 Report on the State of the Legal Market published by Georgetown University Law Center and Thomson Reuters confirms that, despite record profits, law firms still struggle to recruit and retain talent.

Law Firms Are More Profitable Than Ever (So Why Aren’t They Promoting More Equity Partners?)

In its annual survey of law firms, Wells Fargo’s Legal Specialty Group found that most firms reported increased revenue in 2021, with the top 50 firms reporting 16% growth on average.

Is there a growing need for the fractional GC?

Flexible work is on the rise. In the wake of the pandemic, Great Resignation, economic downturn and mass layoffs, many attorneys are redefining what it means to be successful. These conditions have turned out to be the perfect storm for a surge in the “fractional GC”.

To Diversify Their Outside Counsel, Clients Should Think Beyond Big Law

Women’s history month is coming to a close, and I’m reading a story about Coca-Cola struggling to figure out a way to diversify its outside counsel.

Is It Time to Abolish the Bar Exam?

Professor Carter argues that bar exam requirements—and needlessly high passing rates, or “cut scores”–are anti-competitive.

Is Being “Online 24/7” Good for Business?

Around-the-clock online availability has long been considered a “non-negotiable” expectation by many in the legal profession. But it begs the question - is being “online 24/7” really what it takes to be a successful lawyer? New research suggests it may actually hinder attorney performance and client service.

How the Best Attorneys Leverage LinkedIn

The most successful attorneys are brilliant personal brand builders who have mastered how to tap into the power of their LinkedIn network in order to engage the community, develop business, or generate new career opportunities. We’ve compiled a list of essential best practices followed by attorneys at Scale LLP to help make sure you’ve taken all the steps to optimize your LinkedIn profile and build awareness and engagement around your personal brand.

Go solo, but don't go it alone

If you’re an in-house or BigLaw attorney, there is a statistical probability that you have thought about pivoting away from those traditional paths at some point in your career. You may be contemplating your options and wondering what it would be like to establish your own practice. Would you have enough steady business to pull it off? What are the risks? Would you have time to do the other things that bring you joy in your life? Would you be happy?

Can Remote Work Solve BigLaw’s Gender Problem?

Law firm life has changed in the last two decades, and for a majority of attorneys, not for the better.

Blazing a New Legal Career Path

We recently got the chance to sit down with a community of entrepreneurial attorneys to share lessons learned from their not-so-linear legal career experiences - off the traditional path - to create a whole new way of practicing law.

It’s Time to Scrap Rule 5.4 (and Allow Outside Investment in Law Firms)

The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Model Rule of Professional Conduct 5.4, adopted in most states, effectively prohibits investment in law firms by non-lawyers.