Strategic planning assistance and implementation.

“You‘ve got to be careful if you don‘t know where you are going because you might not get there.“  Yogi Berra.

• Our strategy and planning assistance can help a firm decide where it is going and develop a realistic plan for getting there.   Our recommendations are built upon firm-specific research and analysis plus a deep understanding of the market economics and competitive landscape.

Merger and acquisition assistance.

• We offer pre-merger assessments, assisting with evaluating the business case for a merger or acquisition.
• We can help locate firms with a strategic fit and facilitate discussions.
• Due diligence (including lateral candidates).  Developing in-depth intelligence is a critical part of the due diligence process.  You need to know who it is that you are doing business with. Are there important liabilities that haven’t been disclosed?  We have significant experience supporting the due diligence process in a variety of settings and we provide our clients with the information to make sound business decisions.

Firm Retreats.

• We work with law firms to design and facilitate retreats on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to strategic planning, trends in the marketplace, team building, and marketing.

Practice group management.

• Strong practice group management is a keystone of successful law firms.  It enhances the effectiveness of the firm in the areas of leadership, planning, business development, training and development, practice profitability and knowledge management.  Our team can create an effective practice group management program for your firm.

Options for unfunded retirement programs.

“Will you still feed me, will you still need me, when I’m sixty four?”  Beatles song, When I’m Sixty-Four.

• Firms that still have unfunded or under-funded plans present challenges for future growth and the perpetuity of the firm.  We can review your plans and suggest solutions in the best interests of the firm and its partners.

Capitalization review and design.

• Many firms are undercapitalized and some find that their banks are placing increased pressure to increase capital. By reviewing your capital needs and resources, we can create a capital plan aligned with your firm and strategic growth initiatives.

Compensation programs and planning.

• The right compensation plan is based on the culture, values, and strategic objectives of the firm. We help create the plan that best serves your firm.

Business operation (back office operations) reviews and improvement plans.

• We help to align the back office and operations with the firm’s strategic plan.
• Identify and address inefficient operations.
• We can also review and address the internal controls of your accounting and finance department.

Profitability management and improvement.

• We review your overhead structure and revenue management in line with your peer groups and best practices.

Profitability determinations.

• By Client/matter
• By practice groups, industry segments, offices

Financial triage/crisis management.

• Dissolutions can be prevented if problems are addressed early.  We can help you avoid a crisis.
• We can help restructure your operations and assist you in getting control of your financial health.

Cash flow management.

• We develop billing and collection techniques to increase cash flow and increase partner distributions.
• In order to make sound business decisions, you need the ability to determine how your firm’s financial position will be affected in the future.  We create realistic models and projections unique to your firm.

Technology systems.

• We offer practical advice on the acquisition, implementation and management of technology systems.
• Our consultants have many years of experience developing a detailed knowledge of the legal business processes, document production and management, and security issues facing today’s firms. There is no need to be on the “bleeding-edge” of technology with enormous budgets. The real benefit of technology comes from its use, not its ownership.

Improved management reporting.

• Improved management reporting requires both knowing what the user needs and what the user needs to know.  We develop reports that assist in measuring the key performance drivers of your practice and firm.

Executive Search Services.

• We offer search services for firm administrators (Executive Directors, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Administrative Officers), CFOs and Controllers, Marketing executives, and office managers.
• We can also provide interim positions.

Start up assistance.

• We offer assistance in the start-up of your firm including and business aspects of the partnership and shareholder agreements, business entity selections, financing, capital asset acquisitions and other critical decisions you will need to make.