Trend! Professional Skills

Firms are pursuing new on-demand approaches for elevating the professional skills of their associates (ALL of their associates – not just juniors).  In addition to the traditional approach of engaging external experts to conduct live in-person training, many firms have embarked on initiatives to create their own on-demand professional skills programs and libraries.  A variety of topics rose to the top of our “most requested custom topics” list, including timekeeping best practices, delivering feedback, and working with a mentor.  (In one six-month period, for example, we talked with more than 10 different firms looking to create a custom module on their timekeeping policies and expectations.)  

To get their on-demand professional skills resources in place, many firms are beginning to leverage a series of off-the-shelf, customizable programs – like our QuickCustom™ Business and Professional Skills Library – so that they can be up-and-running quickly – while others continue to develop these topics from scratch. (Still others are finding that a mix of customizable off-the-shelf and custom makes for the best approach).

However their libraries come together, it is obvious that, to quote Jayne Brackett (a Partner at Fieldfisher LLP in London, “It won’t be easy to rewire lawyers, but if law firms and businesses employing lawyers want to succeed, they must.  Lawyers must work to become better business people.” 

It seems that law firms agree and are focusing on these areas in a way we haven’t seen before.  And we’re delighted to be a part of that solution.

Want to Dig Deeper? Check this out