What I Learned About Innovation From Learning How to Code

[This article was originally posted on Slaw.ca] I recently completed Harvard’s CS50: Introduction to Computer Science, offered online though edX. Given my role as a Legal Tech and Innovation Specialist, I work with a lot of technology. Gaining a deeper understanding of computer science seemed like an enjoyable side-project. I was partially correct. (Sample code … Continue reading What I Learned About Innovation From Learning How to Code →

A Principled Approach to Legal Tech Adoption

[A previous version of this article appeared in Legal Business World,  the LAC Group, and ILTA's Peer to Peer Magazine] “Ironically, the popular business press, focused on hot, emerging industries, is prone to presenting these special cases as proof that we have entered a new era of competition in which none of the old rules … Continue reading A Principled Approach to Legal Tech Adoption →

Are Law Firms as Profitable as They Could Be?

[This article previously appeared on Slaw.ca] It is pretty clear that, in the past, lawyers did a great job disrupting themselves. The term “disruption” comes from Clayton Christensen’s observation that the ability of a company to make a higher and higher performing product always outstrips the ability of customers to make use of these performance improvements. … Continue reading Are Law Firms as Profitable as They Could Be? →

What Are the Key Attributes of an Innovative Law Firm and How Much Do They Matter?

[This article originally appeared on Slaw.com and subsequently in ILTA's Peer to Peer magazine] Managing a law firm in this era of rapid change is a massive challenge. It’s hard to know the right thing to do. It feels like the ground is constantly shifting. Your firm’s lawyers are giving conflicting reports on the state … Continue reading What Are the Key Attributes of an Innovative Law Firm and How Much Do They Matter? →

Is “Innovation” a Bad Word in Law Firms?

[This article originally appeared on Slaw.ca] The legal profession could be improved a bit. Ok, it could be improved a lot. One might say it could use more "innovation." Yet it seems like the harder one pushes for innovation, the harder others push back. Despite acknowledgement that the nature of legal services will take time … Continue reading Is “Innovation” a Bad Word in Law Firms? →

Law firms need all the help they can get

A recent Altman Weil study found that the #1 reason law firms weren’t doing more to change the way they deliver legal services is because clients weren’t asking them to do so. To not aim at improving client services is poor business strategy; but that is pretty rare. The problem of how to improve the … Continue reading Law firms need all the help they can get →

A detailed comparison of technology adopter types

Everett Rogers developed the now-standard framework for how an innovation diffuses throughout society. Geoffrey Moore went into greater detail on the adopter types. I understood conceptually that these various groups are based on certain differences, but it wasn't until I mapped these out (based on Moores book) that I realized how distinct these groups really … Continue reading A detailed comparison of technology adopter types →

The Industrialization of Law

[This article previously appeared on Slaw.com] “Competitive markets are not much fun for sellers” – Richard Posner It’s common knowledge that the billable hour is holding back the profession. Additionally, it’s clear that professional conduct rules insulate lawyers, prevent other professionals from getting involved, and stifle innovation. Yet, despite the billable hour still going strong and … Continue reading The Industrialization of Law →