The First Great Myth of Legal Management Is That It Exists: Tough Issues for Law Firm Managing Partners and Administrators

If there was a handbook formembers of law firm management, it would be TheFirst Great Myth of Law Firm Management is that it Exists.  Dealing with the tough topics thatmanaging partners worry about but many consultants are afraid to tackle, The First Great Myth-- collects some of Ed Wesemann's most popular articles from publications around theworld, including his famous monthly e-mail columns.  Some of the topics covered include:Firing Unprofitable Clients  Manyfirms get so busy pushing hours and rates that they overlook a critical reviewof their clients as an opportunity to "pick some low hanging fruit.".Ten Terrible Truths About LawFirm Strategic Planning Law firms have trouble implementing strategic plans because it is a flawedprocess from the beginning. Valuing Management  Law firms aren't really mismanaged - mostaren't managed at all.  That's what youget when you have volunteers running your business.  Taking the Easy Way Out:Non-equity Partnerships Many firms think that by making non-equitypartners they have solved their problems with unproductive partners andassociate leverage.  Wrong!  Ten Terrible Truths About LawFirm Compensation  Some law firms equate compensation with management as if lawyers werecommission based aluminum siding salesmen. It's time to take a new look at the way we pay people.Hitting the Wall: Six Rules toManaging the Mega Practice Most major business developers top out at about$3 million in annual billings.  It's timeto help the elite billers manage their practices.Knowledge Management:  The Emperor Has No Clothes  For most law firms, all of the money and effortspent on knowledge management is a    wasteof time.  For anyone to benefit from KM,law firms have to change the way they do business.Pricing to the Market   Some clients are moreprice sensitive than others.  It ispossible to identify the clients who are willing to accept higher rates beforeyou send the bill.           A Common Sense Approach to Cross Selling  Why lawyers keepscrew