Change Management: Year End 2024 and

Looking Forward to 2025

2024 is turning out to be a strong year with growth in many practice areas of firms.  What’s next for 2025?  There is a premium on change management.  The speed of change has picked up in all areas of business management from even a few years ago. 

 

Mergers and Laterals

Firms are bullish that growth and expansion will continue.  Strong balance sheets mean laterals and mergers are on the table.  Recruiting and integration are “hot” topics as well.  We are also seeing the professionalization of business operations team hires.  What are the opportunities, obstacles and challenges firms face in these areas?

 

Real Estate and Working Differently

A key area of real estate is strategies for getting partners and associates back to work in office.  Four days? Three days? Everyday? Outlook for remote working in 2025.  Redesigning work space, and right sizing offices; policies and enforcement are additional areas of interest.

 

What to Know about AI

What do law firm leaders, including managing partners, practice group leaders and senior business executives need to know about Generative AI and machine learning? Using AI internally. What are best uses of AI in back-office situations including billing and collections? Deciding how and when to build or buy GenAI or adding “build to suit” functionality to existing office systems?

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Faculty Discussion Leaders:

Ralph Allen, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Chief Operating Officer, New York

Karen L. Braun, Executive Director, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, New York

Karen Contoudis Buzard, Partner, U.S. Head of the Markets Innovation Group (MIG), A&O Shearman, New York

David Cunningham, Chief Innovation Officer, Reed Smith LLP, Houston

Deborah de Vries, Partner, Co-Leader – Law Firm Group, Anchin Accountants and Advisors, New York

Dwight Floyd, Chief Operating Officer (US), Eversheds Sutherland, Atlanta, GA

Ira D. Frome, Regional COO/CFO, Clifford Chance US LLP, New York

Christopher T. Fulton, Chief Operating Officer, Pryor Cashman, New York

Conan Hines, Director of Legal Technology, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, New York

David M. Kleinhandler, Senior Vice President, CBRE, New York

Steven D. Lando, Partner, Tax Leader-Services Group, Anchin Accountants and Advisors, New York

Edward F. Macnamara, Chief Innovation Officer, ArentFox Schiff LLP, Washington, D.C.

Evan L. Merberg, Global Chief Operating Officer, Mayer Brown, New York

Eric J. Sekler, Chief Operating Officer, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York

Brian Schare, Chief Operating Officer, Schulte Roth & Zabel, New York

William M. Washington III, Global Chief Financial Officer, Baker McKenzie, Washington, D.C.

Joel A. Wirchin, Managing Director, Professional Services, RR Donnelley, New York