Page 72 - Strategic Planning for Law Firms

Strategic Planning for Law Firms
Logistics of a Firm Retreat
When to Have it?
Consider having it over a weekend. Depending on the size of your firm, the issues you’re tacking and the scope of the prospective plan, it can last anywhere from a Saturday morning to a full weekend.
Where to Have It?
You can have it at the firm’s conference room and order in food, or you can have
it at a conference room of a club, hotel,
or conference facility. The latter may be preferable, because they can be responsible for food, drinks and coffee.
Who Should Lead It?
If you hired a consultant, they will lead it. If you’re doing it yourself, the person who has taken the lead in the process of procuring and reviewing all the relevant data, information and documents should lead it. That will likely be your managing partner or a former managing partner.
Who Should be
the Scribe?
Someone should be assigned to take notes and be responsible for turning everyone’s input into a written plan. If you have a firm administrator, then they may be a good candidate.
What are the
Ground Rules?
Lay ground rules so the attendees stick to and abide by the agenda. You can’t have anyone hijack the process or filibuster.
Any Evening Plans?
If a firm is going to have its leaders spend the morning, day or weekend preparing a strategic plan, consider having a dinner for the attendees as a thank you for their work and participation.
Who Should Attend
the Firm Retreat?
Decide who will be attending the firm retreat. Most firms will have only equity partners at the retreat. However, depending on the size of the firm, it can be all attorneys.
Senior Partners
The firm’s largest stakeholders (and rainmakers) should attend.
One or More Junior
Partners
Consider inviting one or more junior partners or rising stars.
Firm Office Manager or
Administrator
Your firm manager or administrator knows the finances and their input is helpful.
SECTION 11 STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREAT
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