Who’s Cuddly Now? Law Firms

IN the last two decades, as working schedules became flexible, and even accounting firms, of all places, embraced the mantra of work-life balance (at least on paper), there was one unbending, tradition-bound profession: the law.

That is why it is so remarkable to watch the legal world racing — metaphorical black robes flapping — to catch up.

Over the last few years and, most strikingly, the last few months, law firms have been forced to rethink longstanding ways of doing business, if they are to remain fully competitive.

As chronicled by my colleague Alex Williams in the Sunday Styles section earlier this month, lawyers are overworked, depressed and leaving.

Less obvious, but potentially more dramatic, are the signs that their firms are finally becoming serious about slowing the stampede for the door. So far the change — which includes taking fresh looks at the billable hour, schedules and partnership tracks — is mostly at the smaller firms. But even some of the larger, more hidebound employers are taking notice.

Details here from the New York Times.

Comments

[D.W.I.A.]

The legal field needs to rethink? This will never happen. The ability to usurp a customer, and legally have the ability to charge for a box of pens when they only used one out of the box is disturbing. Sending an email and charging a tenth for it? Oh charging 10 or 20 percent of the hour? Soon there will be no more places for those to be in prison/jail. Then there will be no one to handle the case loads. Depressed as hell? If they did what they say the did, and not dump all the work load on the ones who really do the work, and stoop up for what they claim to be integrity, and honesty. Maybe Just maybe all those in Legal field would feel better, after a days work; then they could enjoy their at home life with out a hang over.