Every now and then I get some negative reponses when I talk one-on-one to lawyers about upcoming changes in the future of our profession. The most common comment is that the present times are a temporary blip and when the economy gets better, the amount of legal work will increase. Or they say that the recent decline in applications for law schools will lower supply. (Of course, the decline in applications by itself means very little if law schools still admit the same number of students.) Large law firms used to be in the lead of denial, but that has changed. Take a good look at 9 Takeaways from the Altman Weil Law Firms in Transition Study from the LexisNexis Business of Law Blog. The chart featuring the change in survey responses in just the last five years is remarkable.
I've been honored to be asked to speak at several state bar meetings on change and future of our profession. The Indiana State Bar Association Solo & Small Firm Conference has a theme of the Future of Law and they have me doing the keynote. At the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, I am opening the Adaptable Lawyer Track with "Lawyers and Change: How to Prosper in the Future You Didn’t Expect." (PDF brochure) If you are at either of these events, stop by to say hello.