The Evolution of Legal Services

Interesting coverage of Axiom's business model in The Lawyer this week. Flexible working infiltrates the Ivory Tower.

[See also subsequent coverage in the Wall Street Journal.]

Experienced specialist lawyers like the Axiom model because you get to earn good money consulting to some fantastic brands on big product launches, outsourcing deals, acquisition integration and so on. Great if you're looking for a new challenge but the "permanent" roles on offer don't light your fire.

In-house teams like someone with plenty of corporate experience to absorb the pain of servicing very demanding, one-off projects, rather than diverting the in-house team from business-as-usual or relying on a private practice lawyer who doesn't know the corporate processes and procedures.

Big law firms like the efficiency of dealing with a lawyer dedicated to a big transaction - especially where they have committed to fixed or capped fee arrangements. And it's an alternative career path for those who find the whole partnership thing a bit of a slog.

Of course, I should mention that I consult through Axiom.

Thongs in the Park

... that's "G-string" for all you Aussies out there. And, yes, I wore a pink-spotted one while running yesterday's 5k in a "flash" 22:02.

I trust that no photographic record of the event exists ;-)

Understatement of the Decade

“Perhaps there is a disconnect between Europe and its people, between European Union institutions and the people.”

Michael Martin, Ireland's Foreign Minister, FT 13 June 2008

Commitment

I love this quote, which sprang to mind again recently:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!'"

W. H. Murray, The Scottish Himalaya Expedition, 1951.

Wear Your Y-fronts Over Your Trousers

Nothing like a quick 5 kms scamper around a public park in your underwear for charity to spice up your weekend. Pants in the Park is on this Sunday, 15 June at 11am in Battersea Park, London (and elsewhere in the UK). Registration is at 10am.

Cameras allowed.