Episode 8: Angie Hickey on the Benefits of Business People Holding Law Firm Leadership Roles
In Episode 8, we talk to Angie Hickey, CEO of the Chicago based law firm Levenfeld Pearlstein. Angie discusses the benefits of business people holding leadership positions in law firms. Angie is well positioned to talk about this topic because she is a CPA, has an MBA and has worked most of her professional life in law firms.
Angie explains that one of the main benefits of hiring business people to help run law firms is that it permits lawyers to focus less on business and governance issues and spend more time doing what they are trained to do–practice law.
Angie also points out that when law firms implement business strategies and systems, the client experience is improved. In fact to ensure their clients’ experience is the best it can be, Levenfeld Pearlstein created the “LP Way“, a five step structure the firm follows to deliver a consistent client experience.
Angie also discusses why collecting feedback is a must for improvement and that when business minded people get involved with law firms, they might have to push for change lawyers may not always want to make.
We also talk to legal tech founder Michael Chasin about Lexicata, a CRM (customer relationship management) and client intake app designed specifically for law firms. Lexicata helps lawyers stay on top of leads, automate client intake forms and provides analytics and insight into marketing efforts and referral sources so law firms can make better business decisions.
You can find Michael on LinkedIn and Lexicata on Twitter @lexicata.
Things We Talk About in This Episode:
Bloomberg Big Law Business Article: Law Firms Tap Business Acumen in Competitive Legal Market
Episode Highlights
1:07 Angie started in finance, but ultimately took the CEO position.
2:15 The LP CEO position has real decision making authority–including over compensation.
4:03 Levenfeld Pearlstein was ahead of the curve on putting business people in leadership roles.
5:47 Smart law firms provide business professionals with the right tools and get out of the way.
7:25 What business people really bring to the table are systems and structure to enhance client experience.
9:12 The LP Way
13:16 Interview with Micheal Chasin of Lexicata
18:51 How LP gets client feedback.
19:47 They also collect internal feedback from lawyers and employees.
23:11 How LP has used tech to better the client experience.
Episode Credits:
Editing and Production: Grant Blackstock
Theme Music: Home Base (Instrumental Version) by TA2MI1