Legal Reset: Why law firm culture must change now
While on the face of it, law firms have changed in response to Covid-19, the reality is that it is skin deep and insufficient given the pressures they are facing from younger lawyers, clients and wider society. This has all been brought into even sharper focus in the wake of how some firms have responses to events in Ukraine.
The result? Lawyers and their firms must fundamentally reset their values to address issues such as inclusion, accessibility, attracting the next generation of lawyers and ensuring the legal profession stands first and foremost for the rule of law and not just profit.
In our latest Obelisk Support report “Legal Reset”, we examine the multi-faceted challenges facing the legal profession and identify the four pillars essential for this cultural revolution.
The 4 Pillars

Practice
with purpose
Beyond legal services, what values do law firms need to live to remain competitive?

The future
of work
Embracing flexible working (beyond working from home) to focus on inclusion, outcome-based approaches and client needs

Reset the
partnership model
The time is ripe to move away from the billable hour and explore alternative working models

Driving innovation
with technology
How a fresh approach to technology can deliver innovation beyond automating tasks and dashboard reporting

Informed by best practice and leading legal voices
We have drawn on best practices from leaders across the law and many other industries to synthesise and present a comprehensive perspective on the current and future state of legal work.
The paper is informed by an online roundtable discussion, organised by Obelisk Support and chaired by Neil Rose, the Editor of Legal Futures.

Georgia Dawson
Senior Partner
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Alison Eddy
London Managing Partner
Irwin Mitchell

Dana Denis-Smith
CEO
Obelisk Support

Jennifer Emery
People Director
Advent International

Chris Fowler
Former general counsel, BT Technology Division

Suzanne Liversidge
Global Managing Partner
Kennedys

Neil May
COO
Thackray Williams

Janet Morrison
Head of Legal Operations
Diageo

Katie Newbury
Partner
Kingsley Napley

Elizabeth Rimmer
CEO
LawCare

Jenifer Swallow
Director
LawtechUK

Laura Vosper
Talent Director
Obelisk Support