This section covers succession, specialisation, mergers, selling a law firm, becoming a partner, and business structure
How to plan and execute the process of starting up a new legal practice that is compliant and financially healthy
How to set up your firm’s systems to provide the information that enables you to improve profitability and cashflow
How to avoid professional negligence claims, with examples of common problems and suggested solutions. Plus FAQs on PII
This section only covers SRA Accounts Rules and GDPR at the moment. Compliance for start-ups is covered in the Starting up...
How to protect your law firm from cyber attacks. What steps to take if your systems are hacked
How to recruit and retain a team that is both happy and highly effective, dealing with the HR issues along the way
In marketing, like anything, you need to get the basics right. Otherwise the time and money you invest in marketing will be wasted
How to win new clients, make the most of existing relationships, encourage referrals and generate new leads
How to approach creating a law firm website that works, from agreeing your objectives to making sure you get the results you want
Why lawyers need to know about social media, how to make the most of the opportunities and how to avoid potential pitfalls
How to use PR to build your firm’s reputation; and how to create cost-effective advertising – traditional and online – that delivers results
Having retired as CEO of Brethertons(2014-2021), Shaun is now a management consultant helping other law firms to grow profitably and with as much enjoyment as possible. Value pricing is at the core of this.
Why is the consultancy called 'Big yellow penguin'? Addressing conferences in both the UK and USA, Shaun has sometimes dressed as a penguin to emphasise the point that in his view "The legal iceberg is melting” and change needs to happen (it’s amazing how many people remember a 6ft 4-inch lawyer who dresses as a penguin!).
His LinkedIn profile explains the many devices he uses to make the firm adaptable to the changing legal market, starting with the book 'Our Iceberg Is Melting' by the Harvard change guru John Kotter. Bretherton became an ABS in 2016 and its executive board has a diverse range of professional backgrounds. Under Shaun, the firm was run like a case study in strategic planning and implementation.
Meanwhile, Shaun continues to do mediation and has set up Mediation Zone.
Website: www.mediationzone.co.uk
Twitter: @mediationshaun
LinkedIn: shaunjardine