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tition for clients is more aggressive and
public service and
pro bono
legal work has
declined. Women and minority lawyers
continue to struggle to be included in the
fabric of their law firms. The sole practi-
tioner is working harder to earn a living
as competition increases. The globalization
of the practice will soon become common
and successful lawyers will represent clients
outside of the United States.
Many young lawyers are dissatisfied
with their profession, with the clients they
serve and with their supervisors. In-house
counsel complain that the cost of legal
services is not always related to the value
of the work provided. Some lawyers believe
the profession is fixed on an unsustainable
course driven only by profit.
What will our profession look like in
the future? Corporate clients may demand
to be billed based on the value the lawyer
brought to the corporation from his/her
work on a legal transaction rather than
by the hours spent on the matter. Law
firms may have more alternative business
structures wherein firms will deliver legal
services along with non-lawyer involve-
ment, such as accountants, doctors or
others. It may be that quality legal work
will no longer define an excellent lawyer,
but rather a lawyer’s ability to solve prob-
lems using whatever skill is needed may
become the measure of Chicago’s top
lawyers. Automated document review
companies using cutting edge technology
and artificial intelligence to sort, duplicate
and review documents may take business
from lawyers while assuring consistent
quality of service, high-efficiency results,
and lower-cost delivery. On line alternative
dispute resolution will continue to evolve
and grow as people become more at ease
resolving disputes without being present
in the same room.
Wide-Ranging Challenges
Due to increased demand and extended retire-
ment ages there are four generations of lawyers
working together which poses technological,
inclusion, social and cultural problems. Law
firms and legal departments will continue put
pressure on the lawyers’ personal lives in order
to cover the cost of their salaries which will
increase dissatisfaction.
We sent a notice to our members that
we would have a meeting on October 5
so they could comment and discuss these
issues and problems and suggest solutions
or alternative methods. The meeting was
attended by 100 CBA members who had
thoughtful insights which will help us
prepare for the future and, hopefully, will
help us make our jobs less stressful, call
attention to certain pressing issues and may
even fix some existing problems. It was a
wonderful exchange of ideas and solutions.
Some of our extensive working group
includes: Justice Michael B. Hyman, Jus-
tice Mary Mikva, Maurice Grant, Lynn
Grayson, Dean Jim Faught, Theresa Fris-
bie, Dan Cotter, Paula Holderman, Matt
Passen, Andrew Vail, Catherine Sanders-
Reach, Jonathan Beitner, Lara Wagner,
Dave Scriven-Young, Chasity Boyce, Mary
Curry, Trisha Rich, Ben Alba, Patricia
O’Brien, Megan Webster, Bob Glaves and
many others.
Please help us in this continuing
effort; you will find it stimulating and
rewarding.
CBA RECORD
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