Recent Events

“Lawyers are no longer advisors and draftsman, but increasingly, legal professionals are required to be fine-tuned Business Directors, Managers and Salespeople in order to gain and retain new and existing clients in an increasing competitive market-place”

Following a sold out series in 2009, the biennial ‘Key Strategies for Law Firms 2011’ conference was held in London on the 18th May 2011. Having sold out several weeks in advance, the conference accommodated a capacity audience of over 185 attendees who gathered to witness presentations and discussions to improve client portfolios, brand exposure, market share and overall business development in law firms.

In addition to the large number of UK Law Firms, Chambers and Corporates who attended the event, this year’s conference also attracted a wide array of international representatives from countries including Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, Sweden, Turkey, Dubai, Serbia and Africa.

Speakers & Panellists included

• Nick Freeman – Managing Partner – Freeman & Co / Keep on Driving
• Prof Stephen Mayson – Professor of Strategy and Director of the Legal Services Institute at the College of Law
• Kevin Green – Head of Legal and IMT Counsel of UK & Ireland – IBM United Kingdom
• John Young – Co-Chairman – Hogan Lovells International LLP
• Mark Soundy – Corporate Partner – Weil, Gotshal & Manges
• Emma Shipp – Managing Partner – Sprecher Grier Halberstam
• Elliot Moss – Business Development & Marketing Director – Mishcon de Reya
• Tamara Box – Partner / Head of International Structured Finance – Berwin Leighton Paisner
• Neil Kinsella – CEO / Managing Partner – Russell Jones & Walker
• Charles Christian – Legal Technology Insider
• Saleem Arif – COO – Quality Solicitors
• Guy Barnett – Managing Partner – Blakemores / CEO – Lawyers2you
• Chrissie Lightfoot – CEO – The Entrepreneur Lawyer
• Gary Yantin – Managing Director – Highstreetlawyer.com
• Chris Marston – Head of Professional Practices – Lloyds TSB Commercial
• Angela Epstein – Journalist / Co-founder – sellthatstory.com
• Will Kintish – Founder / Director – Kintish
• Julian Summerhayes – Founder / Director – Summerhayes
• Carl White – Partner – Potentio
• Jan Carpenter – Partner – Potentio
• Lucinda Slater – Director – Lucinda Slater
• And many more

Topics included

• What Corporates look for in Law Firms
• Optimising opportunities outside the law
• Developing new business in an age of increased competition
• Rainmakers – The techniques and methods used by the sectors highest billers
• How to use the media rather than pay for PR to raise profile & gain recognition
• Evaluating Solicitor consortiums vs single firm brand identities
• Creating a sub-brand to maximise and increase departmental growth
• Offering a brand that reflects modern trends & attracts consumer spend
• Recognising what existing & potential clients are looking for from your firm
• Powering Business Development through innovative Technology and New Media
• Utilising Social Media to increase awareness, revenue & market share
• Elevating the personal image of the firm’s management and fee-earners

Click to View Photos of this Event

—————————————————————————————————————

‘In many activities, the leaders and the most accomplished are known as ‘Grand Masters’. As the world of legal services strives for competitive edge, maintained profitability and exemplary client service, the need for strategic leadership has never been greater. Client and regulatory demands, and the effects of competition and the economy, add to the leader’s challenges. Recruiting, retaining, motivating and managing the performance of highly talented people within structures where the long-established ‘rules of the game’ are being rewritten also test the leader’s skills and resolve.

The Grand Masters of Law is a one day strategic leadership event which seeks to explore the nature of leadership with contributions from leading figures within and beyond the legal world. This event will set out to discover what issues and skills the new ‘Grand Masters of Law’ will need to see them through and beyond the turbulent times ahead’.

Professor Stephen Mayson

Held in London on the 30th September 2010, this year’s ‘Strategic Leadership Forum 2010’ attracted a capacity audience of over 140 CEO’s, Managing Partners, Senior Partners and Heads of Departments from a wide range of Law Firms, Chambers, Associations and Corporates.

With presentations, panel discussions and contributions conducted by highly acclaimed leaders from both the legal and commercial sectors, this year’s ‘Strategic Leadership Forum’ examined a wide range of leadership focused strategies and formula’s to assist leaders sustain firm and departmental growth and productivity.

Speakers & Panellists included

• Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham- House of Lords / Chairman of the International Business Advisory Board, HSBC / Chairman, Triumph Motorcycles / Corporate Ambassador Jaguar Cars and JCB / Former Senior Partner, Edge & Ellison / Former Director General, Confederation of British Trade / Former UK Trade Minister
• Professor Stephen Mayson – Professor of Strategy and Director of the Legal Services Institute at the College of Law / Ministry of Justice’s Strategy Group for Public Legal Education / the Bar Standards Board’s Legal Services Act Advisory Panel / the Bar Council’s Policy Advisory Group.
• Dame Janet Gaymer DBE QC – Commissioner for Public Appointments / Former Senior Partner, Simmons and Simmons
• Des Hudson - CEO of the Law Society of England & Wales
• Stephen Hockman QC- Head of Chambers,6 Pump Court Chambers / Past Chairman of the Bar Council
• Barry Naisbitt- Chief Economist, Santander
• Simon Barrow– Chairman, People in Business
• Tim Aspinall- Managing Partner, DMH Stallard
• Dr Clare McConnell – Partner & Head of the Projects Practice, Stephenson Harwood / Head of the Association of Women Solicitors (AWS) 2009 – 2010
• John Llewellyn-Lloyd – Head of Corporate Advisory, Execution Noble
• Elaine Radford - Head of CSR (Europe & Asia), DLA Piper / Executive Manager, Legal Sector Alliance
• Dr Bharat Vagadia – CEO, Op2i / Board Director, National Outsourcing Association
• Jeremy Black - Audit Partner in Professional Practice, Deloitte
• Bryan Roberts – Director, LexisNexis Enterprise Solutions
• Chris Marston – Head of Professional Practices, Lloyds TSB Commercial
• Barry Wilkinson - Director, Wilkinson Read & Partners
• Simon White - Business Development, Marketing & Strategy, Wilkinson Read & Partners
• Leilani Weier - Environmental Practitioner, Linklaters
• Micael Johnstone - Project Manager, Legal Sector Alliance
• James Philpott – General Manager of Corporate Development, Bird & Bird
• Charlie Keeling - HR Director, Field Fisher Waterhouse, and more…

Topics included

• Formulas for successful leadership, management, business growth & development
• Developing a dynamic commercial model to improve performance and productivity
• Strategies to sustain growth & strengthen departmental efficiency
• How great leaders create great businesses through a combination of strategy and effective management
• Improving Partner & Associate performance through innovative programs & rewards
• New regulations within the legal sector and what changes law firms should be prepared to encounter
• Current and future opportunities within the legal sector
• The future of the economy and the impact on business & consumer spend
• The direct effects of ABS and Stock Market Flotation on the legal sector
• The increasing importance of Talent Management & what tool is right for your firm
• Why Employer Brand Management is becoming vital to create a competitive image in today’s marketplace, and more…

Click for Photos for this Events