Digital White Papers

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND! THE FUTURE OF LPS What new opportunities will exist for LPS professionals in the future? What skill set is most critical for LPS professionals to position themselves for growth and success? Florinda: With many law firms moving to establish LPM programs and principles on the case management side, practice support professionals are positioned uniquely to be involved in the implementation of LPMOs and KM programs. As for practice management, firms are embedding business managers within the practice groups to support partners in resource management, pricing and budgeting. Those in our profession with business and finance degrees and JDs may find a career path in this area. Florinda: To a large degree, entrepreneurship and critical thinking skills will define future success for practice support professionals. Given law firms' critical eyes toward practice support budgets, LPS professionals will need to take the initiative to determine how they can leverage their skill sets and technology to drive the most value to the firm and its clients, including in areas not traditionally considered practice support. Many of us have become more skilled at scoping and budgeting for e-discovery and document review, capturing metrics, performing data analytics and providing high-level consulting in the area of TAR. Expertise in these areas will be in high demand, and frankly, the availability of talent is somewhat limited at this time. Michelle: New opportunities will lie in the data analysis and vendor management areas. Deep client relationships will be valued to ensure efficiency is maximized when data are migrated for legal assessment. Technology increasingly will be part of the modern legal practice, and those who can simplify, educate, influence and innovate will add the most value. As we see project management, Lean and Six Sigma principles being applied to the practice of law, practice support professionals can consider becoming trained in these business methodologies. I view this as an exciting time in our industry with opportunities for professional growth, as we help our clients reduce their legal spending while improving efficiencies and elevating client service. Michelle: Skills in data analysis, project management and problem-solving should be augmented with excellent communication skills that bridge legal, vendor relationships and a deep understanding of technology. OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND The message is clear: Leverage the current climate to prepare yourself for the future. There has never been a more important time to focus on developing a personal plan for professional success. Make sure you're ready for the opportunites that abound! Paige Hunt Wojcik is the Director of E-Discovery Services at Perkins Coie LLP. She is a member of ILTA's Litigation and Practice Support Peer Group Steering Committee and won ILTA's 2012 Litigation and Practice Support Champion Distinguished Michelle Mahoney is the Director of Legal Logistics for King & Wood Mallesons. In a career spanning over 22 years, Michelle has had roles on judicial committees and U.S. electronic discovery industry advisory boards, founded the Association of Litigation Support Managers (ALSM) and has been awarded the title of Associate Fellow (AFAIM) through the Australian Institute of Management. Michelle is a member of ILTA's Litigation and Practice Support Peer Group Steering Committee. She can be contacted at michelle.mahoney@au.kwm.com. Peer Award. Paige can be contacted at phunt@perkinscoie.com.

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