Welcome to PerformLaw

Associate Performance

Embracing a feedback and planning process to encourage associate performance will engender loyalty, better determine the likelihood of an associate progressing to partner and ensure the long-term success of the firm. Talent is a significant differentiator between law firms and early recognition of the best associates is an advantage.

CFO Services

Improvements in technology have created significant opportunities to reduce operating costs while improving services at the same time. By utilizing remote access, cloud-based offerings, desktop sharing and video conferencing, discrete tasks (payroll, bill pay, etc.) and high-level financial analysis and support can be performed efficiently and effectively.

Client Profitability Analysis

In our experience, there is no single better tool for assessing the financial health of a law practice than client and matter profitability analysis.Client profitability data can be used to improve and manage cost, price work, chose between opportunities and to help determine partner pay.

Competitive Analysis

Placing attention on the right priorities is best accomplished by and understanding of how well a firm is competing in the most important areas. There are any number of benchmark and opinion surveys available, but these have limited use in our opinion. Law firms that understand their clients expectations, their existing capacity and capabilities and their achievable profit margins are much more likely to achieve their goals. A thorough competitive analysis is an excellent first step improved profitability.

Crisis Management

Sooner or later all firms face a crisis of one form or another.The stress of client demands and the immediate priorities related to the crisis often results in flawed decision making. In these moments, objective analysis and support performed quickly can lead to better directional choices.

Data Driven Compensation Systems

We live in a time where ample amounts of high-quality data exists. When properly analyzed, these data allow firms to draw unbiased conclusions about a lawyer's contribution to profit. Data-driven compensation analysis coupled with quality leadership allows a firm to ensure market competitive compensation for law partners.

Lateral and Merger Analysis

A process that includes an objective consideration of the cultural, economic and recruiting attributes related to law firm lateral and merger transactions is most useful. Beyond a good vetting process, improving the longterm chances of a successful assimilation requires a sustained effort well after the initial transaction is complete.

Strategic Profit Analysis

What happens when a client calls and offers your law firm more business in exchange for a price reduction? Do you immediately accept the offer our do you analyze the impact on gross profitability, workload distribution and costs and profit per hour? Do you have the data to perform this level of analysis? Working through these calculations and processes is instructive and forms a basis for a higher level negotiation with your clients.

Marketing Planning and Process Development

Legal marketing strategies that are developed based on specific goals and a deep understanding of the market are most likely to succeed. Pinpointing what a market wants and being able to deliver it requires a precision that comes from those lawyers who are most market aware. Creating a structure that allows talented and motivated lawyers to operate freely is most effective.

New Law Firm Startup

Two of the most compelling strategic reasons we hear for starting a new firm include the opportunity to create a unique client offering and the freedom to execute quickly. We refer to this as having the ability to “turn the ship into the wind”. Meeting existing client expectations and finding the time to plan and manage the 15 plus steps in a law firm startup process is much easier when the right support is available.

New Partner Admittance

A comprehensive evaluation process based on pre-established criteria significantly improves the chances that a newly admitted partner will be successful over the long term. The most important attributes of partner performance vary among firms, but some are universally applicable.

Partner Performance

Law firms that enjoy a high degree of partner engagement are more able to develop a healthy and productive culture. Helping law partners perform on a higher level or addressing a partner performance issue is best accomplished by a process that includes an objective analysis, practice plan, timetable and supporting incentives or consequences.

Lawyer Practice Planning

One common attribute about law firm partners and associates who reach very high levels is that they think strategically about their careers. Typically, this strategy is not committed to paper, but these high achievers can describe in precise detail what they are trying to accomplish. Others who struggle to think strategically will benefit from a structured planning process and thoughtful consideration of priorities.

Law Firm and Lawyer Profitability Improvement

Improving the profitability of an individual client, lawyer, practice area or firm requires a skillful measurement process that considers economic, environmental and behavioral factors. These factors typically include rates and costs, staffing mix, market conditions and behavioral challenges.

Special Projects

Special projects can range across any issue in a law firm. At times, the need for information is compelling enough to engage outside support. In-house resources are frequently too busy managing immediate priorities to apply the sustained focus required by a special project. Outside resources can also provide enhanced analytical tools and an objective viewpoint.

Strategic Planning

Law firms striving for excellence need a strategy to identify opportunities that allow for real growth in capacity and capability. A strategic plan that considers near and long-term success, alignment of leaders and future leaders, provides a basis for choosing between opportunities, and that becomes a factor in measuring performance is most relevant.

Subscription Services

The time commitment in our engagements is typically heaviest in the beginning, and our clients often need time and support to implement our recommendations. A level pricing structure over a defined period results in a predictable engagement cost and a sustainable implementation pace. It is for these reasons our services priced in 3,6,9, and 12-month intervals.

Succession Planning

Successful senior partners are often larger than life figures within their firms. They often enjoy an individual brand that is more prominent than their firm name. These successful partners often struggle to walk away from a lifetime of achievement. Creating the right economic incentives for senior partner retirements improves the chances of a successful transition.

Recent articles

Using Profitability Data to Transform Your Law Firm

by Brian Kennel posted at 9/14/17 2:49 PM

Today’s law firms work with clients who have tighter budgets and greater expectations. This forces firms to find new and better ways to increase productivity and profitability. Since billing...Read More

Thinking of Purchasing a Small Law Practice? Consider These Things.

by Brian Kennel posted at 9/7/17 10:07 PM

These transactions are almost always on a prospective basis. A typical structure has the seller retaining all of the AR (Accounts Receivable), WIP (unbilled time) and Liabilities as of a...Read More

Effective Business Development Fundamentals

by Brian posted at 8/10/17 1:12 PM

Most lawyers agree that business development is essential to the vitality of their firm. Despite the frequent conversation about the need for new business and the large budget allocated to business...Read More