P2P

16 TRANSITIONS AND TRANSFORMATIONS The shapes framework reveals how law firms can evolve their service delivery models. Rather than existing in pure forms, firms typically display characteristics of multiple shapes simultaneously: • Practice-Level Variation: Different practice areas within the same firm often embody different shapes based on market dynamics. A firm's merger and acquisition practice might maintain a legacy model structure while its litigation support services evolve toward an ALSP platform that handles document review and due diligence more efficiently. • Evolutionary Patterns: As legal services mature, their delivery models tend to evolve. Consider how technology adoption typically progresses: firms often start with basic practice management tools (Legacy Model), advance to specialized matter management systems (Client-Centric Hub), and eventually develop proprietary platforms (Innovation Engine). • Market-Driven Adaptation: Market pressures can accelerate shape evolution. Economic uncertainty might push firms toward more flexible Agile Adapter characteristics while increasing client sophistication might drive investment in Industry Hub capabilities. • Strategic Design: Forward-thinking firms can use this framework to guide intentional evolution. It might involve incubating new delivery models within traditional practices or creating innovation labs that pilot new approaches while maintaining core operations. The most successful firms understand that shape-shifting is not just inevitable but desirable. They develop the organizational capabilities to support multiple shapes simultaneously and the change management expertise to guide transitions effectively. This adaptability becomes a strategic advantage, allowing firms to respond to market opportunities while maintaining operational coherence. STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: LEVERAGING SHAPE UNDERSTANDING The shapes framework provides a vocabulary for discussing how different service delivery models align with strategic objectives. This enables more precise conversations about organizational design, investment priorities, and market positioning. STRATEGIC PLANNING AND INVESTMENT Understanding your firm's current and aspirational shapes changes the strategic planning process. Firms can better identify capability gaps between their current state and desired future, allowing for more targeted investments in technology, process improvements, and talent development. This structural lens also proves valuable when evaluating potential mergers or acquisitions, helping leaders assess organizational fit beyond financial metrics. Perhaps most importantly, the framework helps guide the sequence and pace of organizational change, ensuring that transformation efforts align with the firm's strategic direction. MORE FROM AB Read his award winning article, "Reimagining Software Adoption in an AI-Enabled World," that appeared in the 2023 Fall issue. epubs.iltanet. org/i/1508143/71 ó 2024 WINNER

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