Canadian Lawyer

Should law firms set up their own lpo entities somewhere with a cheaper labour pool, thereby ensuring the work that is outsourced meets their branded standard, or should law firms outsource to locally owned lpo providers? your firm has established them in its LPO entity, the standards to which the lawyers performing the due diligence are held. On a more delicate topic, firmowned and operated LPO entities could also provide tremendous cost savings with respect to recruitment and training. As LPO catches on, law firms will no longer staff for pyramid-type leverage since the routine work for which herds of junior associates are required will be sent elsewhere. Law firms will recruit to maintain and develop the expertise and high-risk work that is required of them. LPO entities, how- ever, will require a critical mass of employees and can prove an excellent training ground from which a firm can recruit potential partners. These entities could serve as a legal farm team enabling their owners, the firms, to determine which associates can move up and which cannot without having to make the financial commitment firms presently do (presuming, of course, that salaries in an LPO are lower than in a law firm). It also enables associates who are content with routine work to develop this expertise without the pressure of having to build books of business or take on more complicated files, work longer hours, or perform the other tasks required of partnership in a law firm. Legal process outsourcing is clearly one of the greatest challenges facing the traditional practice of law. It is also one of the greatest growth opportunities for firms not afraid to tackle some of the more delicate questions it raises. Danielle Olofsson is a knowledge management lawyer at Dentons Canada LLP in charge of civil law. She has practised law in Montreal, Paris, and Stockholm and is a member of the Quebec and Paris bar associations. She can be reached at danielle.olofsson@dentons.com. LEGAL EVENTS DESIGNED FOR THE LAW FIRM C-LEVEL EXECUTIVE West LegalEdcenter® is the leading provider of live Business of Law events for C-level law firm executives. These events will allow you to better collaborate with your C-level colleagues, as well as learn the latest industry tips and best practices on how to better manage your law firm. Below you'll find upcoming live conferences designed specifically for legal professionals at the C-level. EVENT 18TH ANNUAL LAW FIRM LEADERS FORUM Oct. 17 – 18 New York, NY $2,295 Widely recognized as one of the nation's premier gatherings of law firm chairs, managing partners, and CEOs, the 18th Annual Law Firm Leaders Forum will focus on the key trends impacting the legal market and will offer thoughtful discussions by leaders drawn from some of the world's most prominent and innovative law firms. EVENT 12TH ANNUAL CFO/COO FORUM Oct. 24 – 25 New York, NY $1, 95 Plan to join us for the premier event for law firm COOs and CFOs focusing on the strategic investments necessary to meet client demands and maintain competitiveness and profitability in the continually changing legal market. Untitled-1 1 DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE Individual Discount – Receive 15% off any individual program. Use Promo Code 15LAWFIRM at checkout with any of the events. Group Discounts – We have great group discounts available for you and your colleagues. The more events you purchase, the more you save: Call 1-800-308-1700 for more information or to register. www.CANADIAN L a w ye r m a g . c o m 13-06-05 11:27 AM OctOber 2013 21

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