Next Generation Law Firms

Continuing my review of "Next Generation Learning in Law Firms," I will discuss the author's view of the next generation law firm. They state that the business model for law firms is undergoing rapid change and cite predictions that a new "normal" will emerge as soon as 2020. This new normal will have law firms employing standard project management practices and technologies in an effort to control costs and more effectively use resources. In their estimation, fixed fees and other ways of pricing legal services will replace the more traditional billable hours and alternative fee arrangements.

In addition, the authors explain that global thought leaders are predicting a change in the way law firms do business. They see specialization and business roles emerging as replacements for what many see as traditional roles in the firms. This change will be facilitated by the availability of automation and standardized processes and workflows. It is the technology and new skills that will permit this change to take place.

However, the authors actually posed more questions than they had answers for. For instance, they wonder if legal secretaries will become more project-focused, or team-focused? Exactly what are these new technologies and skill that will be needed? How will business specialist roles fit in the legal office construct? In what ways will technology and workflows need to be adjusted to fit into the law firms' specialty area? And finally, how can technology education and educators provide value and relevance in this new model?

As you can tell, the landscape of the law firm of the future is rapidly changing, just as it is in nearly every aspect of business today. And these changes are requiring significant shifts in the traditional paradigms of how business is conducted. How will this shake out? The authors are not quite certain. Suffice it to say that the law firm of 2020 will barely resemble the firm of 2000.