Q&A: Simon Marmot: “Make your (marketing) story a human one, rather than a corporate one”

In our Q&A, Simon Marmot, strategy director at design and digital marketing agency Marmot Inc. Marketing, explains why law firms need to consider implementing a digital marketing strategy; the secret to content creation; and how to avoid wasting money on campaigns. Some law firms seem to be wary of marketing generally, and digital marketing especially. […]

Is your legal practice feeling uncomfortable? Well, get used to it

In the face of innovative technology platforms that will redefine the way legal services are provided, law firms must not make the same mistake as big banks and abandon the advantages that trusted relationships have long delivered, writes Trish Carroll. In today’s world of disruption, get comfortable being uncomfortable. That was the headline of a […]

Latest news – SMEs choosy with law firms; Queensland barrister recognised; Lawyer satisfaction levels slump

One in three SMEs happy to ditch lawyer More than a third of Australian small and medium-sized businesses are willing to seek the advice of a different legal adviser, according to NAB’s inaugural Australian Legal Services Industry Survey. The survey notes that SMEs rely on and value their current lawyers, but nevertheless they are quite […]

Latest news – ‘Freewheeling’ managers flunk hiring test; Spotlight on national security laws; MinterEllison tops ‘attractiveness’ rankings

Lack of management structure hurts hiring outcomes A “freewheeling” approach to management is likely to result in poorer hiring and firing results, according to new research from MIT Sloan. In a paper, entitled Building a Productive Workforce: The Role of Structured Management, the researchers consider how personnel-management practices relate to HR outcomes and workforce productivity. […]

How to become, and remain, a small law firm employer of choice

While smaller law firms often bemoan their inability to recruit the sort of elite talent they desire, they actually have a rare opportunity to turn this around if they pursue smart strategies, writes Rob Knowsley. I recently set aside some quality time to write this fifth article in my series* for ALMJ and had been […]

Cyber threats a unique form of professional risk for lawyers

With law firms facing unprecedented risks because of cyber fraud and the online theft of confidential information, lawyers must take action to safeguard information security and live up to their duty of confidentiality, writes Simone Herbert-Lowe.  Cybercrime is challenging organisations everywhere, with daily news stories about businesses, government organisations and even global IT companies that […]

Q&A: Jessica Kinny: “We all seem to ‘innovate’ at a glacial pace and as a pack”

In our Q&A, Jessica Kinny, solicitor director and founder of Kinny Legal, explains why she has relished charting her own course as an aged care, retirement and health law specialist, how ‘fear setting’ has helped her life and business, and why she thinks lawyers should take more risks. Some industry analysts believe sole practitioner firms […]

A survival guide: Juggling a newborn and the launch of a legal tech project

In this case study, Catherine Brooks explains how she managed to keep the rollout of a new legal platform on track despite disruptions caused by being in the last stages of pregnancy in the early development phase, and then having a newborn to manage around launch time. The ideas stage  I remember that first meeting, […]

Are law firms fighting a war for talent, or a war for trust?

As law firms seek to recruit the best millennial talent to thrive in the future, they should ensure that they build trusted relationships with their employees, clients and the community, writes Trish Carroll. According to the CommBank 2018 Legal Market Pulse Report, released in December last year, the war for talent continues. Going by the […]

Latest news – Talent retention the focus for firms; ‘Holistic approach’ needed for healthy lawyers; Salary hikes on the way for most

Firms hellbent on keeping top employees According to the 2019 ALPMA Australian Legal Industry Salary & HR Issues Survey, more than half of all Australian law firms expect to increase staff numbers this year, compared with 42 per cent in 2018, as firms seek to retain their best talent. Salaries have increased for most roles […]