A New Vision for Corporate Lawyers

This book is not about the law itself. Rather it is about the practice of law or, as I prefer to call it, the way of working for lawyers. There are no quick fixes, surveys, case studies or pretty pictures. Instead, it attempts to translate my experience and thinking into theories written in a practical way designed to help lawyers readily understand this new vision. The underlying theories and the factual claims are based on the very best kind of empirical evidence: my own experience as a global corporate lawyer and from the many in-person and remote interactions in my workshops with thousands of lawyers all over the world.

The first two chapters of this book focus on ‘the why’ and chapters 3-7 focus on ‘the what’. Assuming there is sufficient interest in this book, then I plan to write a series of follow-on books to share my views on how to achieve this new vision through my frameworks:

• Part 2: The T-Shaped Lawyer Framework – for individual lawyers
• Part 3: The T-Shaped Team – for legal departments
• Part 4: The T-Shaped Firm – for law firms and other legal service providers.

My aim in writing this book is to share more broadly than I can through my workshops, the first instalment of some key insights that have helped me and my AlternativelyLegal clients to grow professionally and to flourish. Flourishing is not only critical to career success but is also central to increased happiness as will be explained in the book. Whether you are a general counsel, a law f irm partner or someone who works as a lawyer in a department or firm, I hope that this book provides the inspiration and guidance for you to adopt this new vision and to adapt it to your unique situation.