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Time for change

10 June 2016 / Arlene Adams
Issue: 7702 / Categories: Features , Profession , Technology
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More law firms must continue to re-invent themselves, says Arlene Adams

Peppermint Technology’s latest research takes a broad look at the professional services market. How Law Firms Measure Up Against Other Sectors compares the management practices of lawyers to accountants and consultants.

Close attention was paid to the sectors’ willingness to innovate; their willingness to invest in future innovation and whether they have done so up to now. These are all indicators of their levels of awareness of the competitive era to come.

The research found that a third of law firms have not been involved in any business innovations in the last two years, a much higher figure than the other two sectors and an indication, perhaps, that law firms are continuing to spend money just to stand still, instead of innovating and adding value.

Law firms invest only 4.1% of turnover in IT, compared to consultancy (4.9%), and accountancy (5.1%). Deploying technology to add value to clients in ways that are commonplace in the retail sector is also an area where

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
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