The traditional law-firm business model has delivered technically excellent service at seemingly whatever cost. But the times have changed, with the global financial crisis only accelerating the price-down pressures, commoditization, and client demand for efficient, business-relevant services. To respond, law firms will have to go beyond cutting costs while preserving the general way they win work, produce work, and govern themselves. Law firms need to adopt business models that are better adapted to serve their clients not just today, but well into the future.

To succeed under the changed circumstances, law firms need to remake their business models in accord with the needs of their commercial clients. This book provides examples of innovative and successful business models from remade law firms. Ultimately, this book is meant to fuel a desire for change in law firms that goes beyond thinking and planning, and leads straight into the messy, frustrating, exciting world of implementing change, and ultimately to better client service.

Praise for Remaking Law Firms: Why and How

"There is currently no roadmap to the future for the chronically myopic, change-averse legal profession. Fortunately, now comes Remaking Law Firms: Why and How which tells us in well-documented detail how to pack our bags for the journey ahead."
— Janet Welch, Executive Director, State Bar of Michigan

"The inexorable march from a firm-centric legal services world to a client-focused and driven one continues. Firms may agree or disagree with George Beaton's and Imme Kaschner’s presentation, prognosis and prescription in Remaking Law Firms: Why and How – but only those with hubris or myopia will disregard this compelling work."
— Jeff Carr, President, ValoremNext LLC, Former General Counsel, FMC Technologies Inc.

"In the slow growth law firm industry, where competition for work and talent has intensified and pricing pressure is high, building a differentiated brand and a more efficient business model have become more important than ever before. Remaking Law Firms: Why and How is a welcome primer on the challenges and opportunities facing law firm leaders now and in the future."
— Gretta Rusanow, Head of Advisory Services, Citi Private Bank Law Firm Group