The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/448505
WWW.ILTANET.ORG 29 About the Author Erik Schmidt is a manager in the information life cycle management group at HBR Consulting. With over 15 years of experience in applying technology to solve legal business challenges, Erik has held a wide range of responsibilities in software development, consulting services, operations management, product management and sales. The breadth of this experience has enabled him to develop deep expertise in advising firm leadership on best practices for risk management, managing work product throughout its information life cycle and developing governance strategies to drive competitive advantage. Erik is a frequent speaker on information productivity and governance. Prior to joining HBR Consulting, Erik spent eight years helping to manage the legal solutions group at OpenText. Contact him at eschmidt@hbrconsulting.com. A Compass for Connections Charting Your Firm's Course Post-Merger Starting almost 30 years ago, the notion of "connectedness" began creeping into the corporate business world. Fueled by vast advances in technology, this trend has grown exponentially and is now playing a major role in how businesses operate today. It also has a heavy influence on the expectations businesses have of their outside counsel. The arrival of online networks, data analytics and mobile devices has created expectations for constant connectivity and instantaneous replies even when "disconnected" from the traditional office setting. For an industry accustomed to a collegiate and deliberative culture, the speed with which these changes have arrived is disorienting, and at times difficult for law firms to grasp. How have successful firms charted the course and created more connections?