The Outperformers

What separates the world’s most successful law firms from the rest? The Outperformers: Lessons from Top Law Firm Leaders goes inside the boardrooms of the profession’s most admired and profitable institutions – including Davis Polk; Kirkland & Ellis; Latham & Watkins; Paul Weiss; Simpson Thacher; Wachtell and others – to uncover the approach to leadership, strategic choices and cultural attributes that have propelled these firms, and some of their rising competitors, to evolve and become stronger versions of themselves. As competition for clients and talent intensifies, The Outperformers: Lessons from Top Law Firm Leaders reveals what it really takes to win in today’s rapidly changing legal marketplace. Through candid, first-hand accounts from top law firm leaders, the book explores how visionary management, detailed planning, consensus-building and disciplined execution have driven extraordinary performance and enduring success compared to their competition. Major topics include: A rapidly changing competitive landscape – how geographic, client and talent pressures are reshaping the competitive landscape and positions of a broad group of firms; The benefits of competitive scale and profitability – why outperformance feeds future advantage in retention and recruiting when it comes to sought-after talent, clients and matters; The value of building consensus around and executing on an effective strategic plan – how top leaders create sustainable success by aligning their partnerships around a clear and distinguishing vision for the future, and measurable goals to achieve it; Aligning compensation with accelerating achievement of strategy – linking rewards to what drives long-term competitiveness and market leadership in chosen areas; Growth to accelerate the achievement of strategy: laterals, groups and M&A – when, why and how market leaders grow strategically to enhance the benefits of market leadership, scale and profitability; Entering new markets: how outperformers accelerate strategic growth – lessons from firms that have entered and rapidly succeeded in new areas of focus; Leading through change – what the most impactful firm leaders do to succeed in an increasingly dynamic competitive environment; and The rise of business professionals – how a new generation of business leaders is redefining management excellence in outperforming law firms. Written for law firm leaders, partners, future partners and business professionals who aim higher than to simply keep pace, The Outperformers: Lessons from Top Law Firm Leaders provides insights from law firm leaders who have achieved sustained success in ultra-competitive segments of the legal industry. Rich with leadership lessons learned and practical guidance from those who have built some of the profession’s benchmark firms, this new title is an indispensable guide to what it truly means to lead – and to win – in the business of law.