The 23rd Annual Law Firm COO & CFO Forum

The Nasdaq MarketSite

151 W 43rd St

2nd Floor

New York, NY 10036

Mike Abbott, Head of Thomson Reuters Institute, Thomson Reuters 

Though some economists are touting a stronger than expected economy, those keeping a watchful eye on their wallets point to increased interest rates, rising housing costs and costly consumer goods as a true barometer of the current condition of the economy. In balancing service to clients alongside responsibility to professionals and staff, how are firms managing with these fiscal fluctuations? How are client expectations evolving in response to current economic challenges? In looking internally at one’s own talent, how are law firm leaders ensuring that their employees, especially those in support roles, are being fairly compensated for their efforts in a time of increased expense while also leaving enough for firm profit? How can executives also ensure that their own compensation balances industry standards, expertise, elevated costs, and firm needs? Join us as we embark on a raw conversation around how firms are adjusting to current economic pressures, acting on issues of compensation and employee financial wellbeing and addressing changing demands from clients seeking cost efficiencies. 

Moderator:

Eric Gonzaga, Principal, Human Capital Services Practice Leader, Grant Thornton

Panelists: 

Edward Karan, Managing Director, Global Head of Institutional Sales, Citi Global Wealth at Work 

Karen LoDico, Chief Financial Officer, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 

Phil Mackintosh, Chief Economist, Nasdaq 

The billable hour made its somewhat accidental entry into the US legal market around the end of World War II. Since its arrival, most law firms have considered it a central staple in their pricing strategy. Now, some 80 years later, AI’s entrance into the market has signaled the potential of a new business era akin to the industrial revolution. As organizations and firms alike begin to seek ways to integrate automation and AI efficiencies, how might AI’s influence streamline changes to legal billing, collections, pricing, payments, or law firm financial management overall? Furthermore, how can law firms convince clients that coupling AI with dedicated attorney expertise affords better opportunities to both parties, which may ultimately affect the cost of legal services? Join us as we discuss the crossroads of AI’s potential impact on law firm finances. 

Moderator: 

Philip Kelvin, Co-Founder and CEO, Tranch 

Panelists: 

Rawia Ashraf, Vice President, Product Management, Thomson Reuters  

Shelly Celius, Chief Financial Officer, Stoel Rives LLP 

Frank Spadafino, Chief Information Officer, Blank Rome LLP  

The Knickerbocker Hotel

6 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

Jen Sander, Director, Enterprise Marketing & Events, Thomson Reuters Institute 

Currently, the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z are participating members of the workforce, totaling five generations. Including various age groups in the workforce is an important part of a firm’s commitment to DEI, but each generation seems to have different working styles, firm expectations, approaches to technology, and more. How can law firms appropriately navigate this, capitalizing on each generation’s strengths? From dislocated culture references to slang language, many individuals have a difficult time connecting with their inter-generational colleagues. How can firms elevate company culture to be its most age-inclusive? As Gen Z permeates the workforce at a faster rate than the silent generation retires, how can firms ameliorate this cultural shift? Join us as we explore both the challenges and the benefits of the five-generation workforce operating within law firms. 

Moderator:

Becky Halat, Senior Manager, Client Services, Thomson Reuters Institute

Panelists: 

James Goodnow, CEO & President, Fennemore Craig, PC

Saisha Mediratta, Associate, Latham & Watkins LLP

Mat Rosswood, Chief Operating Officer, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

AI presents the ability to significantly shift various facets of legal operations, not to mention the broader legal market itself. So, what exactly will that future market look like given AI’s anticipated impact? How will AI influence staffing models, billing, and compensation? How will it aid firms in addressing inflated expenses and meeting client expectations? What will be its role, if any, in bringing in third party investment? Join us in a session that explores AI’s potential impacts on the industry and how firms can analyze meaningful change resulting from their AI investments. 

Moderator: 

Clare Hart, Chief Executive Officer, Williams Lea  

Panelists: 

Chris Boyd, Chief Operating Officer, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Raghu Ramanathan, President, Legal Professionals, Thomson Reuters 

Janet Stanton, Partner, Adam Smith, Esq. 

The legal market is on the edge of the biggest upheavals seen in the last 30 years—yet many law firms continue to focus on the 5-year strategic “refresh” that does little to shift the paradigm for competing in a reshaped industry. Using the lens of classic competitive forces—this session will focus on how law firms go from talking about strategic shifts to realizing performance: 

• Financial – which metrics matter most and how do you proactively influence these? 
• Clients/Markets – perhaps the most overlooked input for strategic planning; how do you align your 5-year growth plan with client and market trends? 
• Talent – culture can be the strongest driver and inhibitor for success of a strategic plan; how do you build a strategy they will embrace? 
• Operations/Structure – change is not organic; how do firms build the support needed to ensure action starts while the ink is drying on your new strategy? 

Facilitator: 

Jen Dezso, Director, Client Relations, Thomson Reuters Institute 

The Nasdaq MarketSite

151 W 43rd St

10th Floor

New York, NY 10036

Mike Abbott, Head of Thomson Reuters Institute, Thomson Reuters 

While many large firms found themselves facing a lull of low demand over the last couple years, 2024 results through seem to be presenting a much more optimistic picture for all segments of the market, with Q3 setting a new high-water mark in demand growth for the year. Along with elevated revenues, firms invested in technology at a record pace, helping them to identify efficiencies and control costs. As we look forward, will a U.S. economy that is still navigating away from higher interest rates and working through inflationary-induced pressures enable firms to continue an upward trajectory? How might the outcome of the pending U.S. elections change the trajectory of the current situation for firms? Join us as we ponder the state of the United States legal market for 2024.

Moderator: 

Mike Abbott, Head of Thomson Reuters Institute, Thomson Reuters

Panelists: 

Mary Akhimien, Associate General Counsel, Senior Vice President – Employment & Benefits, Bank of America

Karen Braun, Executive Director, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Rance Sapen, Chief Operating Officer, Butler Snow LLP
Allan Thompson, Chief Administrative Officer, Mayer Brown LLP 

Trevor Varnes, Global Chief Financial Officer, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP 

With the US presidential election just weeks away, the nation, currently grappling with issues of economy, immigration, and abortion legislation, along with a host of other concerns, could change quite drastically beginning 2025. Set within a contentious global stage where current conflicts are stoking state alliances, climate concerns have been elevated to warnings and the struggle for AI hegemony is heating up, the outcome of the election could further distress an already fraying international equilibrium. For law firms specifically, this election could ripple into further regulatory oversight, bringing in an era of sweeping change. Join us as we gather to consider the repercussions of the US election. 

Moderator: 

Axel Threlfall, Editor-at-Large, Reuters 

Presenters: 

Linsey Davis, Anchor, ABC News Live Prime
Ray Suarez, Broadcaster, Author, & Host, On Shifting Ground 

In these three concurrent breakouts, our faculty will explore critical issues within the legal industry. Forum participants will have the opportunity to share their thoughts with leading firms and industry peers.  

Moderator: 

Kate Harry Shipham, CEO, KHS People  

Panelists: 

Michelle Doran, Chief Operating Officer, Smith Anderson LLP

Cari Robinson, Senior Managing Director, August Communications; former Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Revlon 

Kenneth Sharperson, Chief Diversity Officer, Armstrong Teasdale LLP 

Originally a military concept, VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) is highly applicable to the operating conditions in this decade. From weather to war, isolated national events now have a thundering global resonance. Supply chains and markets have become far too intertwined to easily break away when necessary. In the future, anything goes. How can attorneys prepare their armor to operate in a VUCA world? Should firms fight against or flow with the consequences? How can law firms become risk-prepared without becoming risk-averse? Join us as we navigate the VUCA business scene of both the present and future. 

Moderator:

Jen Sander, Director, Enterprise Marketing & Events, Thomson Reuters Institute 

Panelists: 

Kimberly A. Gardner, Chief Operating Officer, Holland & Knight LLP

Karen Campbell, Chief Information Officer, Foley Hoag LLP 

Joel A. Wirchin, Managing Director, Professional Services, RR Donnelley

Over the past decade, firms and corporations have been encouraged, with slight pressure, to respond to current topics and movements within the social sphere. Many individuals who pursue a law degree find themselves entrenched in political and social justice issues; yet, having raw discussions around those same themes can become a sort of taboo as attorneys enter their profession. Additionally, despite the continued call for attention on social issues, corporate activism screaming support seems to have died down to a lowly hush. Given the gravity of such issues, how are firms now deciding not only how they respond outwardly to issues in the public spectrum, but also how they communicate their stance on issues that directly affect their own professionals and staff? What are the potential ramifications for a firm, both internally and externally, of issuing a statement on a current social event versus not responding at all? Join us as we discuss the apparent downturn in corporate social activism and how firms are approaching strategies around dealing with issues originating outside of the legal industry. 

Speaker: 

Gina Rubel, Founder & CEO, Furia Rubel

Please join us for three concurrent sessions exploring important issues in law firm management, where we will welcome Forum participants to share practical ideas with their industry peers.

As firms settle into a renewed post-pandemic culture, some have found themselves dealing with pugnacious professionals and staff who haven’t fully embraced change. The dominion of the home office impelled a cultural turn, fostering a somewhat difficult reintegration into the collective organization. As we’ve firmly settled into the new normal, how are firms facilitating a culture of connectivity and collaboration so as to negate employee agitation or, worse, resignation? Where does the delicate balance between individual desires and the collective need fall? Furthermore, how do firms motivate their organizations forward when fiefdoms formulate from divisive group movements or potential partner group defections? One may remove a bad apple, but what can be done when the bunch has united in disruption? Join us as we strategize employee relations and retention amid shifting changes in the wider organization. 

Moderator:
Chris Ryan, Chief Growth Officer, Harbor 

Panelists: 

Kelley Bender, Chief Operating Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP 

Julie Henson, Chief Growth Officer, Decipher 

Dr. Larry Richard, CEO, LawyerBrain LLC 

As law firms grow, executives are stretched thin in their efforts to both expand into larger endeavors and ensure that operations prosper. One solution has been to implement “deputy chiefs” to serve directly underneath the C-suite. By implementing deputies, firms can effectively set in place a succession plan to promote internally into the C-suite, further solidifying a strong culture. However, such roles could potentially eliminate competition and slow productivity in the office. How can firms smartly navigate succession planning while staying attuned to current needs? Where is the sweet spot between prioritizing peak operation in the present and planning for future success? Join us as we discuss potential paths for firm succession planning. 

Moderator: 

Charlotte Croker, Consultant, Caldwell Partners 

Panelists: 

Dr. Sharon Meit Abrahams, President, Legal Talent Advisors, LLC 

Kathy Hall, Chief Financial Officer, Winstead PC 

Roger Wilkes, Chief Operating Officer, Perkins Coie LLP 

In a world where data is its own currency, collection, regulation, and processing have yet to find steady footing. In fact, much data processing takes place strategically hidden from the public eye, or valuable data sits unused, tucked away and losing relevancy. How can law firms leverage past and present data to improve firm operations, billing realization, and growth opportunities? In using such data, how can firms maintain integrity in recognizing that data originates from individual ownership and interaction? Join us as we meet to discuss key factors in sound law firm data strategy. 

Moderator: 

Mark Masson, Managing Partner, Head of Professional Firm Advisory, Lotis Blue 

Panelists: 

Jared Applegate, Chief Legal Operations Officer, Barnes & Thornburg LLP 

James Boyer, Chief Information Officer, Ice Miller LLP 

Jane Koehl, Chief Operating Officer, Venable LLP 

Please join us for two simultaneous roundtables intended to foster robust conversation among attendees. 

A strong ESG commitment has become an integral part of running a successful law firm; but, given the myriad of shifting challenges that firm leaders face, revisiting and refining firm ESG policies may not be a critical priority. Shifting to more sustainable operations may reap a bounty of rewards such as increased reputation, client favorability, and decreased long-term costs. At this point, clients expect firms to have a strong ESG practice in place; so much so, that many clients may neglect to take a closer look and verify ESG standards. In an age where ESG is an expectation, how has it fallen short because of a perceived lack of driven passion? Without wider adoption of proper checks and balances, how can firms hold themselves accountable? Has the performative nature of ESG overshadowed the intended altruism at its core? Join us as we discuss client ESG expectations and the continued expansion of law firm ESG goals. 

Moderator: 

Natalie Runyon, Director, ESG Content, Thomson Reuters Institute 

Panelists: 

Alex Lassiter, CEO & Founder, Greenplaces, Inc.
Laura Long, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Hanson Bridgett LLP 

Joe Palermo, Chief Operating Officer, Crowell & Morning LLP 

In 2023, demand was down, collection cycles lengthened by 5%, and even as firms raised rates to maintain profitability, realization on those increased rates was also on the decline. Beyond relying on rate increases alone, firms should look under the hood of their own operations for opportunities, such as streamlining the billing lifecycle, adopting technological solutions that reduce operational drag, exploring outsourcing and using space sufficiently to maintain profitability. Join our faculty as we explore industry-wide insights and operational strategies aimed at assisting firms in their goal of increasing profit margins. 

Moderator: 

Milan Bobde, Co-founder and CEO, Oddr 

Panelists: 

Rob Mattern, President and Founder, Mattern 

Brian Schare, Chief Operating Officer, Schulte Roth + Zabel 

Dan Watson, Chief Financial Officer, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP 

Enjoy cocktails and canapés as we wrap up the day’s proceedings.