Out with the old… in with the new

12 January 2024 / Nigel Clark

Issue: 8054 / Categories: Features , Profession

Nigel Clark looks forward to some radical change in 2024

Proposes lawyers adopt a different approach to client fees, billing targets, the partnership model and the long-hours culture.

Now 2024 has arrived, I have been reflecting on my 25-year career in the legal sector during which I’ve worked in ‘Big Law’ across four countries and three continents, and with alternative, consultancy platforms including my own which merged with Nexa back in 2017.

While I am passionate about the UK legal sector, it would be fair to say that, in my opinion, many aspects of it need to modernise or, at least, require a new approach, starting with….

The billable hour, machismo firm culture & the gender pay gap

From the moment we qualify as lawyers we know how much billable time we must do each day, week, month, year to prosper in our law firms and progress in our careers.

Philip Larkin asked, ‘Why should I let the toad work/ Squat on my life?’ as he railed

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content

If you are already a subscriber sign in

...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

Out with the old… in with the new

Nigel Clark looks forward to some radical change in 2024

Proposes lawyers adopt a different approach to client fees, billing targets, the partnership model and the long-hours culture.

While I am passionate about the UK legal sector, it would be fair to say that, in my opinion, many aspects of it need to modernise or, at least, require a new approach, starting with….

The billable hour, machismo firm culture & the gender pay gap

From the moment we qualify as lawyers we know how much billable time we must do each day, week, month, year to prosper in our law firms and progress in our careers.

Philip Larkin asked, ‘Why should I let the toad work/ Squat on my life?’ as he railed

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content

If you are already a subscriber sign in

...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

SourceURL:

Links:

E-newsletter Sign-Up

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All

Gibson Dunn—London partner promotions

Firm grows international bench with expanded UK partner class

Shakespeare Martineau—six appointments

Firm makes major statement in the capital with strategic growth at The Shard

Myers & Co—Jess Latham

Residential conveyancing team expands with solicitor hire

NEWS

Read All

Stress at work for corporate counsel

One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)

Chancery Lane says no to LeO

The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers

Human rights concerns for patients, prisoners & immigration detainees

Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned

Licensing fast-track for conveyancing & probate professionals

Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals

Stress at work? Join the (employment tribunal claim) queue

Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace

Error message

Out with the old… in with the new

The billable hour, machismo firm culture & the gender pay gap

The billable hour, machismo firm culture & the gender pay gap

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gibson Dunn—London partner promotions

Shakespeare Martineau—six appointments

Myers & Co—Jess Latham