The role of professional support lawyers
Post-conference seminar - Thursday, 30 April 2009
In a difficult economic climate, with external and internal pressures intensifying, how can professional support lawyers continue to deliver real value and help support and develop the business? Moreover, what strategies can PSLs apply to safeguard their position, and develop and secure their future role?
Managing Partner's one-day essential event on the role of professional support lawyers will bring together a wide range of leading law firms to address the most pertinent challenges PSLs face. Featuring seven practical and highly relevant case studies and an interactive panel, this unique event, aimed exclusively at law firm PSLs (and corresponding positions), will demonstrate how PSLs can stay one step ahead.
09.00 Registration and refreshments
09.30 Chair's opening remarks
Claire Andrews, Director of Knowledge Management - Europe and Asia, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
09.40 Evaluating the impact of the economic downturn on the PSL
• How has the PSL been affected by the economic downturn? How will it continue to impact the PSL over the next year or so?
• How is the downturn affecting PSL remuneration, career progression, job flexibility and work-life balance?
• What can PSLs do to safeguard their position and secure their future?
Simon Brayton, Head of Finance Knowledge Management, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
10.20 Demonstrating your value as a PSL
• Identifying which elements of your role are business critical and determining the best and most efficient use of your time
• Supporting the practice and demonstrating how you can help to promote and develop the business
• Communicating and promoting the PSL role; demonstrating how integral you are to the firm
Maura McIntosh, Professional Support Consultant - Litigation, Herbert Smith LLP
11.00 Morning coffee break
11.20 PANEL DISCUSSION: Examining the different approaches law firms have taken to adapting the PSL role
• Exploring the different PSL titles, roles and skill-sets in law firms
• Integrating PSLs within the other support functions
• How are PSL roles evolving?
Maura McIntosh, Professional Support Consultant - Litigation, Herbert Smith LLP
Simon Brayton, Head of Finance Knowledge Management, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
Deborah Neale, PSL, Finance, Clifford Chance LLP
12.00 Examining the role of the PSL in a mid-tier law firm
• How are PSLs structured and organised in a firm with only few PSLs but numerous practice areas?
• What lessons can larger (and smaller) firms learn from this approach?
Gillian Palmer, PSL, Litigation, Trowers & Hamlins LLP
12.40 Networking lunch break
13.40 Leveraging your raw materials: How to make the best use of people, resources and time
• Delivering multiple projects at different stages on budget and on time
• Prioritising an increasing workload and effectively managing your time
• Re-defining the practice support element of the PSL’s role and involving practising lawyers now that they have the time and you don’t
Ann Stewart, Associate, Knowledge Management, Property Division, Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP
14.20 Maximising lawyers’ KM contributions in a downturn
• Engaging more with the lawyers and building better relations
• Providing KM resources training for lawyers
• Raising awareness of the benefits of KM
• Promoting a positive KM capture culture
Matthew Stokes, Professional Support Lawyer, Real Estate Department, Beachcroft LLP
15.00 Afternoon coffee break
15.20 Serving client KM needs and managing client expectations
• Identifying the added-value services your clients expect and need
• How can PSLs support those needs?
• Managing client expectations of the level of service without damaging the client relationship
• Balancing the demands of external clients and internal lawyers
• Working with the lawyers to deliver a better client service
Ana-Maria Norbury, Practice Development Manager, Employment Department, Baker & McKenzie LLP
16.00 How can PSLs drive innovation?
• What is innovation? Why is it important?
• Identifying the barriers PSLs face to innovate
• Involving clients in the innovation process
• Utilising KM techniques to drive innovation
Deborah Neale, PSL, Finance & Julia Machin, PSL, Capital Markets, Clifford Chance LLP
16.40 Chair's closing remarks
16.50 Close of seminar
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