Fundamentals of Law Firm Management, 2013-2014 ed.

In Fundamentals of Law Firm Management, Jay Westcott analyzes the many elements required to manage today's law firm effectively. Changes in the legal marketplace have forced law firms of all sizes to respond to competitive pressures and manage themselves more adroitly. Westcott traces the evolution of U.S. law firms since 1970, including a sustained period of growth in size and profitability through 2007 followed by a harsh period of readjustment and diminished demand caused by the business downturn in 2008 and 2009. Given the ever-changing dynamics in law firm management, Westcott provides specific examples of how law firms can improve the quality of their practices and provide effective and efficient service to clients at a reasonable cost.

Through a detailed case study example and analysis, Westcott further illustrates the many complex and difficult choices law firms must make related to practice and geographic growth and focus in order for a firm to achieve its strategic vision. Concurrently, law firm leaders also must pay attention to building and sustaining an attractive firm culture and constantly improving the quality and value of the services a law firm delivers to clients. Achieving that balance is paramount to a law firm's successful implementation of a firm's strategic plan.