.jpg)
The Bay Area is becoming increasingly competitive for Top Tier Firms.
National firms are opening and expanding offices in Silicon Valley and San Francisco. They see opportunity in private equity, fin tech, M&A, IP, AI, real estate, regulatory, and litigation including “many of the most recognizable tech and life science brands.” The large base of high-quality experienced lawyers and impressive client rosters are a strong incentive for out-of-town entrants.
What’s ahead in 2024 and how do you maximize your firm’s position and success at a time when firms are optimistic, but there is uncertainty about the seismic geo-political disruptions and the polarizing social dynamic today? How to develop your firm strategy for AI—with clients, and for internal productivity gains.
We invite you to join us at this year’s Conference to learn about the latest ideas and trends and receive a complete update from our all-star panel of lawyer leaders and corporate counsel/clients.
Clients’ Collaboration with Firms
Clients want services delivered in different ways and for their law firm relationships to be shaped more around the client. They are seeking adjustments on rates and alternative fee arrangements and more project management and collaboration. Younger generations of lawyers have different priorities and ambitions and are seeking “flexible” working arrangements, and wellness programs to avoid burnout. More firms recognize it is imperative to become inclusive. Compensation is a powerful driver, and rebuilding “culture” and “teams” matter more than ever.
Real estate needs are dramatically different in light of the shift to hybrid working. Where we work and how we use space has changed almost overnight. What tasks are firms already using AI to improve productivity?
10 Key Questions for Discussion
Our planning committee has selected these topics
for special attention:
-
How to build in a climate of innovation in every practice area and business imperative.
-
Inflation and fee increases: impact on firms’ strategy, profitability and bottom line.
-
Leadership development: tone at the top needs to resonate throughout partner, associate ranks and professional staff. Maintaining a consistent culture
-
Firms are rethinking priority practice areas: What are the Hot Practice Areas for 2024 in Silicon Valley and San Francisco? -- Antitrust & Competition, Life Sciences, Healthcare, SEC & DOJ Investigations and Enforcement; Data Privacy and Data Protection, Cybersecurity; National Security; International Trade and Regulation.
-
Can the talent market be hot and cold at the same time? Training and development is a top imperative now? How to achieve these goals in a hybrid workplace?
-
What are some strategies for getting partners and associates back to the office? Assuming agile, flexible working is here to stay, what are best practices longer-term to keep partners, associates and professional staff motivated and infused with firm culture?
-
More Mergers Ahead? Is Allen & Overy’s acquisition of Shearman & Sterling the start of increased M&A activity?
-
Generational challenges in hiring, retention and attrition.
-
Real Estate. Build or buy? Hoteling. Design.
-
Compensation for equity partners, non-equity partners, associates, senior business executives including heads of AI technology
—PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS—
9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. PST including lunch buffet
Panel 1: State of the Bay Area Market: 2024
-
Re-imagining and re-thinking your strategy in an increasingly partisan climate.
-
Maintaining a sense of culture while showing flexibility to your lawyers and professionals.
-
“Hot” practice areas—Antitrust & Competition, Life Sciences, Health, Investigations and Regulatory and SEC, DOJ Enforcement; data privacy and data protection; and international trade.
-
Non-equity partners structure, changes in compensation and fees
Panel 2: Talent
-
Leadership in uncertain and fraught times
-
Lateral associates and lateral partners: is there still a market?
-
Partner and associate development, training, performance and engagement
-
Retention and attrition: what to do about it strategically and operationally
-
Professional development and training
-
Diversity & inclusion initiatives: progress is being made but there’s long way to go
-
Wellness health and parenting issues
Panel 3: AI—The Transformative power of AI for Law Firm and Law Departments
-
New business opportunities with clients
-
Deciding when to buy or build
-
Data protection and data governance; IP issues generally
-
Labor and employment issues
-
Risk mitigation
-
Cybersecurity challenges
-
Investment decisions
Panel 4: What Clients Want
-
Collaborations with firms
-
Firm need to understand business issues with clients
-
Partnerships on business
-
Outsourcing
Panel 5: Risk Management and Business Opportunities: Real Estate, Innovation
-
State of the real estate market; new approaches to analyzing space needs, leasing
-
Replotting your office needs and redesigning office for post-COVID-19 requirements, making the office better than home
-
Right sizing of office space
-
Risk management, conflicts, alternative fee arrangements. Outside counsel guidelines and e-billing difficulties.
-
Using data analytics, AI in the firms ‘decision-making process
CLE Credit has been applied for.
Questions? E-mail: ginarivera@sandpiperpartners.com
Phone: 973.278.8800
ABOUT THE ORGANIZER
Sandpiper Partners is an educational firm run by highly successful entrepreneur, Lynn Glasser, who has decades of experience producing educational solutions for law firms, law departments, legal vendors and information providers serving the legal industry. Sandpiper Partners presents seven Legal Market annual conferences in major U.S. legal centers from New York to Chicago to California and London. At Sandpiper Partners, the Glassers designed and implemented the first ever Executive MBA for Law Firm Managers. They founded the “Legal Times” in D.C.
