Making New Year resolutions is one thing. Remaining resolute
and seeing them through is quite another. – Alex
Morritt, Impromptu Scribe
A simplistic but functional definition of culture is the way
that:
- People relate to each other
(consistency);
- People relate to the firm
(mission);
- The firm adapts to its environment
(adaptability); and,
- How work gets done
(involvement).
2016 was another year of success for a diminishing number of
firms and one of frustration and falling behind for many. The
reason for much of the diminishing returns in the legal profession
is predominately the "culture" that is institutionalized
in most firms.
Historically once the culture has been subscribed to there is
little interest for embracing change. This "stonewalling"
is resulting in the failure by firms to achieve their potential
and, dare I say, the prolonged erosion of confidence in private
practice (as evidenced by the departure of a frightening number
