Nonlawyers Running Firms
Firm are including nonlawyer professionals in their top-level business positions. This allows top lawyers to focus on the practice of law and business people to focus on profitability. These new nonlaywer managers help to guide firm policy and oversee all aspects of the firm, except for the practice of law. Many firms have replaced their top management position with that of chief operating officer. At Chicago's Kirkland & Ellis, several key nonlawyer staff sit as equals with partners on the committees they serve, says Firm Administrator Douglas O. McLemore. They include the CFO, CIO and client service director.
"Doug has single-handedly convinced us that lawyers need to be less involved in the business of running the firm," says Kevin R. Evanich, a senior partner and firm committee member.
"Doug has single-handedly convinced us that lawyers need to be less involved in the business of running the firm," says Kevin R. Evanich, a senior partner and firm committee member.
This article appeared in its entirety in the September 18, 2000 edition of The National Law Journal.
