publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/535467
ILTA WHITE PAPER: JUNE 2015 WWW.ILTANET.ORG 32 LPM REQUIRES CROSS-DEPARTMENT COLLABORATION WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW? Before contemplating the launch of an LPM program, focus on team dynamics and collaboration so the program has a greater likelihood of success. There are several steps a firm can take to ensure lawyers, firm leadership and managers are on board: Articulate Shared Goals: Set goals should be specific, measurable and lead to action. To engage department managers, make sure they are required to include LPM in their annual personal goals. • Define Clear Roles: Decide who is in the best position in your firm to lead such an effort. Which department he or she is from matters less than that he or she is credible, understands the challenges facing clients and lawyers and can rally people from all departments to work together toward common goals. • Share Credit: With effective collaboration, everyone can contribute to the success of the program. Embrace and celebrate each contribution, no matter how big or small. Generously give credit where it's due. • Develop Effective Communications Vehicles: Consider the many ways to communicate the goals, roles, successes and components of your firm's LPM efforts, such as intranets, extranets, blogs, articles, email messages, interdepartmental meetings, newsletters, etc. Foster ways for administrative departments to discuss LPM collectively so that no department becomes secretive about its efforts. Setting clear expectations for reporting, full disclosure and brainstorming will help. • Tailor Training: Different constituents require different LPM-related training. Lawyers need training in areas such as matter management and budgeting. The marketing team needs to understand how to "sell" LPM's benefits to clients. Associates and paralegals must know how to apply project management discipline to their work. Tailored training will help with adoption. FOSTER COLLABORATION Unless a law firm is willing to recognize and manage the people-related challenges of a legal project management program, all the other steps in their LPM launch risk failure. Before buying technology, implementing new timekeeping practices or setting budgets, invest time in fostering cross-departmental collaboration. The Fisher Focus Model National labor and employment law firm Fisher & Phillips launched Fisher Focus, a robust LPM program that involves collaboration between all administrative departments and lawyers in its 31 offices. The program incorporates a simple but effective four-step LPM model. DEFINING AND ENGAGING EVALUATING AND LEARNING EXECUTING AND WORKING PLANNING AND BUDGETING