Structural Issues in Law Firm Management

This program will pull back the curtain on what it means to be a law firm partner and the role of partners in law firms.

The program is open to all, but is most highly recommended for senior associates, counsel, partners, and legal services professionals at law firms. Sessions will be conducted in English.

Online via Zoom Fridays, January 17 - May 2, 2025 (LFM Live Event TBD)
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
2024 cost: $1,000 per person / $750 discounts available

    • Toni Jaeger-Fine Senior Counselor, Fordham Law School
    • Pablo Sorj Partner, Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Avogados

  • CLE credit was approved for the 2024 program in accordance with the requirements of the New York State and New Jersey State CLE Boards for a maximum of 13 credits. New York credits are nontransitional (experienced) in the following areas (subject to change): 10.0 Professional Practice, 1.0 Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Protection General, 1.0 Law Practice Management, and 1.0 Ethics credits for New York; and 12.0 Professional Practice and 1.0 Ethics credits for New Jersey. Attendees seeking credit in another state must apply to their states' CLE Board for credit.

Program Schedule

Please see below for the 2025 schedule. We will continue to update as speakers are confirmed.

  • Speaker TBD

  • This panel will cover how to define a firm's purpose, and what it stands for in a greater context. In addition, speakers will discuss how to compare global firms vs. national firms with a global reach.

    Speakers TBD

  • This panel will cover centralized vs. decentralized governance in law firms, key officers, key committees, and elections and voting rights among firms.

    Speakers TBD

  • This panel will cover the role of leadership at law firms, and the role a partner plays within the greater context and goals of a firm.

    Speakers TBD

  • This two part series will cover the lockstep model and its variations, models that reward individual performance, and the pros and cons of different models.

    Featuring: 

    James W. Jones, Principal, Legal Management Resources

  • This two part series will cover the lockstep model and its variations, models that reward individual performance, and the pros and cons of different models.

    Featuring: 

    James W. Jones, Principal, Legal Management Resources

  • This panel will discuss how billing/pricing policies and strategies work, including non-billable hour methods. Metrics such as profit per partner will also be covered.

    Speakers TBD

  • Speakers TBD

  • This panel will cover the importance of a firm's history and purpose for branding, the role that social media plays in today's world, strategies for effective communication with clients, and tips on developing new business.

    Featuring:

    Deborah Farone, Founder, Farone Advisors

    Fernando Pelaez-Pier, CEO, LexLatin

  • This panel will cover client groups and other strategies law firms implement, as well as client service and their experience.

    Speakers TBD

  • This panel will discuss what is most important when it comes to client service, how to excel at it, and pitfalls to avoid.

    Speakers TBD

  • Description forthcoming.

    Speakers TBD

  • This panel will cover best practices for managing law firm's risks, evaluating a firm's risk tolerance, aligning risk around a mission, and communicating policies around risk assessment. 

  • This panel will try to answer the question of how AI will more broadly impact how lawyers work, and how firms can avoid some of the pitfalls presented by generative AI.

    Speakers TBD

  • This panel will try to answer the question of how AI will more broadly impact how lawyers work, and how firms can avoid some of the pitfalls presented by generative AI.

    Speakers TBD

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Register for the program.

Program Fee

Prices for the 2024 program are below. 2025 rates will be set in the fall.

  • Individual registration: $1,000
  • Registration for Fordham Law alumni: $750 (indicate your year of graduation and program in the notes column when paying)
  • Registration for 3 or more registrants from same firm: $750 per participant (indicate your affiliation in the notes column when paying)

Featuring Speakers from the Following Firms and Organizations

Participating firms TBA

Testimonials

photo of Begoña Cancino

I really enjoyed the program. It was a great approach to the 360° view required for all law firms managers, and it was specific enough to obtain useful insight regardless of the size, location or specialization of any law firm.

Begoña Cancino
Partner
Creel, García-Cuéllar, Aiza y Enriquez, S.C. (Mexico)

photo of Tomás Allende

The program had a perfect balance between theory and practical experience. The speakers were excellent and very generous in sharing their knowledge and experience. This course is a must for those who are in a managerial position at law firms or those who would like to improve their organizations.

Tomás Allende
Partner and Member of Executive Committee
Estudio Beccar Varela (Argentina)

photo of Alessandro Bovio
The program offered broad scenarios of the main challenges in law firm management, focusing also on the professional personae, differences in opportunities and growing processes for professionals, and structural organization.  Furthermore, the example of bigger firms’ structures reflects the legal market trends and represents a model for boutiques.

Alessandro Bovio
Partner
Alture Legal (Italy)

photo of Leila Zubi
The list of speakers is the who’s who of the legal world, and the topics are highly instructive and current.  The participants are just as impressive as the speakers and elevate the discussions throughout the program.  The co-directors moderate each session with grace, intellect, and camaraderie.  I highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in learning more about the inner workings of law firm management.

Leila Zubi
Managing Partner
Zubi Rosner LLP (USA)