Legal Mosaic Essays on Legal Delivery

<strong>Legal</strong> <strong>Mosaic</strong>: <strong>Essays</strong> on <strong>Legal</strong> Delivery
once part of the bundle of services under the law firm’s dominion and
control. Now that the delivery model has become so much more varied
and diverse, who will emerge as the integrator of the supply chain? Or
in the words of Reggie Jackson – who will be the straw that stirs the
drink?
Many lawyers would disagree, of course. But look at medicine. Twenty-five
or so years ago, internists conducted almost all aspects of an
annual physical. Today, the doctor synthesizes information and test results
performed by others. Does this render the physical any less thorough
or effective? If anything, the new delivery model puts even more
emphasis on the need for clarity of vision and leadership in providing
integration, guidance and general direction in shaping the overall treatment
plan. As well, it leverages the doctor’s time by focusing on tasks
that she was trained to do.
Why should delivery of legal services be any different?
<strong>Legal</strong> practice is not under attack. But the traditional law firm structure
is. It’s a buyer’s market, and clients- retail and corporate- have options
and leverage. And new players are stepping into the market- a positive
development- combining legal expertise with technology and business
process. <strong>Legal</strong> delivery has become a three-legged stool comprised of
all three. Law firms have the legal component but have a difficult time
retrofitting technology and process. It’s not in their DNA. By contrast,
service providers are most closely aligned to the corporate model; the
best ones combine legal expertise with technology and process- minus
the cost escalating law firm partnership model.
The winning lawyers and structures will be those that focus on clients,
not profit. They will implement new and better ways to serve clients by
creating more cost-effective, efficient, and transparent delivery structures.
The will also integrate the legal supply chain, forging seamless
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