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Partnerships Chair Michele Mayes at breakout session

LCLD Partnerships & Teams Committee
Day-Two Breakout Session: Working Notes Oct. 8, 2010

Points made, quotes from committee members:

Discussion about Diversity Secondments

Fee Structure – Should law firms absorb the cost?

  • Secondments ultimately benefit the law firms: real-world perspective of the client’s business and operations allows the attorney/firm to provide better service to client.
  • A practical hindrance for companies: corporations can’t pay what law firms do.
  • One observation: “To break even on the cost of a secondment, the economics are such that we’ve got to keep partner busy 2,000+ hrs/yr and 1.5 - 2.5 associates/yr.  Let’s put the person in for a year at the law firm’s cost; then the company agrees to use the person and an associate for two years.”
  • One view: “Couldn’t make that type of long-term commitment because I don’t know what work I will have that far out.”
  • “Six months feels right; I could absorb that.”
  • “We rotate quarterly.” 
  • “We pay a much reduced rate; find that we take it more seriously and make more meaningful assignments if we have dollars invested.”


Are secondments where this committee should focus?

  • “What is the purpose of the secondment?  If it is to deepen relationships, does a secondment really achieve the goal of developing deep relationships?”
  • “Sending someone to a company and placing them in an area with people who don’t make work placement decisions doesn’t work well”
  • “Allow the person to work in their practice area so you will see them at their best.”
  • Consensus of group was secondments should be a primary focus of the Partnership Committee. However, they need to be flexible regarding the ability to structure length of time, level of attorney, fees, etc.
  • One participant commented that too much flexibility will leave us with a new negotiation every time and no real program with measurable results.
  • It was suggested that making a menu of choices in these areas available would provide both structure and flexibility.
  • One law firm noted it has participated in secondments internationally, and it works well.
  • Comment from Chair Michele Coleman Mayes: Important not only that the managing partner be on board, but that the relationship partner be involved; Secondee must receive shared credit for new work flowing from the relationship for this to really make a difference.


Discussion about the Rooney Rule

Attendees indicated diverse slate requirements are being used by companies for internal hiring purposes.
Question:  “Can law firms apply a diverse slate rule when assembling a team to work on a client matter?”

  • One participant stated that corporations should ask firms for a diverse team to be assembled.
  • Other open items that were raised included:
    • How does this initiative become measurable?
    • Can this apply to law firm partnership decisions?
    • Can firms and companies partner on rotation of the relationship partner?