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04 December 2008 / Chris Parr
Issue: 7348 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Client care

Should keeping clients happy be a  law firm’s highest priority? Without a  doubt, says Chris Parr

How much of a law firm’s activity  is actually dedicated to, or  orientated primarily around, its  clients?

If partners are honest about the  answer to that question, they may find  that they are in the 40–50% range.  Consider that. Essentially, all of a firm’s  income comes from its clients; so why  would a firm not have those clients in  mind in everything it does?

The CEO of one organisation for  which I used to work (not a law firm)  once made a statement: “Do not hold  any meeting unless the primary purpose of that meeting is to add value to a  client or to the clients in general.” Th e  organisation met this with incredulity.  What about all the “administration”  meetings that are required in the life  of a company? What about budget  meetings and meetings to discuss HR  and location issues? There seem to be  many reasons to meet which do not  relate to the clients of the

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Specialist associate solicitor rejoins Muckle’s leading employment team

NEWS
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
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