What Would Law Firms Be Like If They Were Led By Women

Developing the Next Generation of Rainmakers What Would Law Firms be Like if They Were Led by Women? A few weeks ago I was fortunate to speak at the firm retreat of the Tennessee law firm Lewis Thomason. The firm leader who asked me to speak is my friend Lisa Cole, the firm’s managing partner.  I met Lisa many years ago when I was working with her husband Jonathan Cole. Lisa asked me to speak on Client Development 2015: Old Tools and New Tools and on Preparing a Business Plan for Success. I enjoyed both presentations. A few months ago, I was asked for my prediction for 2015 which was included in: 25-Plus Predictions for the Legal Industry in 2015. As you will see, I predicted: My prediction for 2015 is that women lawyers will assume more leadership positions in large law firms and many will start their own law firms. What I suggested when I was asked is supported by what is happening. See:  Two Women Win Spots Atop Big Law Firms. I have coached hundreds of women lawyers. At the risk of over generalizing, I have long believed that women have some unique attributes that make them very well suited to lead law firms and practice groups and offices. Many years ago I read a hilarious and fascinating blog post by UConn professor  Gina Barreca  in Psychology Today  Run By Women, The World Would Be Better and More Fun.I found it thought provoking, but the satire may not be for everyone. Ok, what is it about the women I have coached that causes me to see they have great leadership attributes? Here are some distinguishing attributes. The women with whom I work are: I looked at my list and said to myself: “Wow, I would love to be a partner in that kind of firm.” Unfortunately, as reported in a 2008 article:  Women Law Firm Leaders Still Sparse  only 8% of firms are led by women. There are a variety of reasons cited in the article, not the least of which is only a small percentage of men, and smaller percentage of women, have any desire to lead a firm. Concerned that my instincts might be inaccurate, I looked for scientific research, and was surprised to discover I was pretty much on target. Of the many studies and papers, here are two with interesting insights: In the study, male leaders were exceptional in each of the areas, but women leaders set a new standard. They are or have: What do you think a woman led law firm would be like? I invite your thoughts on this interesting subject. I practiced law for 37 years developing a national construction law practice representing some of the top highway and transportation construction contractors in the US.