Co-Chair
Anne Macdonald
Co-Chair
Paul Marmor
Law Firm Management Committee
The mission of the Law Firm Management Committee is to be a leading global forum for the exchange of best practices in law practice leadership and management through sharing and discussing concepts, experience, knowledge and trends on law firm and law practice management issues and topics.
About the Committee
The Committee’s diverse membership is drawn from the profession around the world and from firms of all sizes and areas of practice.
The Committee pursues its mission through a number of activities including the annual IBA conference at which the Committee regularly offers a wide range of sessions addressing current top-of-mind issues; regional conferences, generally in coordination with the IBA's regional fora, which address current law firm management issues of regional interest; webinar programs; e-bulletins; and our publications and other material accessible to members on our website.
Paul Marmor, co-chair of the Law Firm Management Committee discusses why you should join the committee.
Once you join the Committee, you may actively contribute to its work by:
- Joining one of the Committee’s five subcommittees: Strategy and Finance; Business Development and Marketing; Talent and Leadership; Knowledge Management and IT; or Small and Medium Firms;
- Contributing to Law Firm Management publications including the e-bulletins; and
- More generally, sharing your own know-how while learning from others and participating actively at IBA conferences and the committee events and initiatives including its webinars.
ESG Toolkit for Law Firms
The Law Firm Management Committee has prepared an ESG Toolkit to help members understand the scope and importance of ESG from a law firm management perspective, have an easy tool to self-analyse their firm’s current ESG compatibility and have ready guidance on what steps and actions need to be taken for efficiently integrating ESG and further improving their firm’s overall ESG compatibility.
Business Development and Marketing Subcommittee 'how to' guides
Written by members, these practical guides share a wealth and breadth of experience on legal business development and marketing topics, with new guides being published each month.
IBA Annual Conference: top tips, Business Development and Marketing Subcommittee guide, September 2023
This article states how to get the most of our the IBA Annual Conference
IBA Global Showcase: top tips, October 2021
This article contains some top tips so readers can make the most of the IBA Global Showcase.
Returning to in-person business development? August 2021
This article examines the prospect of returning to in-person business development, as some jurisdictions start going back into the office and others rethink office plans in the face of further waves of Covid-19.
How to bid successfully, July 2021
Bids, tenders and pitching for work is part of life for every law firm. However, firms that don’t have a clear bids strategy and process, aligned to the firm’s growth plans can spend a lot of time and money with little return. This guide shares some top tips to help improve your bid and pitch win rate.
How to make the transition from face-to-face to virtual meetings, June 2021
Particularly in the legal profession, having face-to-face meetings are essential to build up and maintain a relationship with clients, members of staff and other persons important to your practice. For most of us this has changed drastically overnight when working from home became the norm.
Hosting client events virtually, May 2021
Social distancing and travel restrictions means attending face-to-face conferences and networking events are on pause for the near future. More and more events and conferences are becoming virtual, which means a change in tactics when it comes to hosting, attending and networking.
Forthcoming conferences and webinars View All Conferences
Navigating personal and professional growth in the legal industry: session one, bridging the gap from senior associate to partner
29 Apr 2025 1300 - 1400 BST
Webinar
Championing sustainability in changing times: how can law firms adapt and thrive?
03 Jun 2025 1300 - 1400 BST
Webinar
IBA Law Firm Management Committee Academy for Leaders
22 Jul - 25 Jul 2025
London , England
Law Firm Management Committee Latin America Conference - Building the law firm of the future
08 Sep - 09 Sep 2025
São Paulo , Brazil
IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025
02 Nov - 07 Nov 2025
Toronto , Canada
Building the Law Firm of the Future
27 Nov 2025
London , England
Publications
ESG Survey 2024 – analysis and discussion
The third consecutive annual survey conducted by the IBA Law Firm Management ESG Subcommittee.
Released on Sep 04, 2024
Law Firm Management Committee – reports from 2023 IBA Annual Conference in Paris
This report recaps some of the highlights of the Law Firm Management Committee sessions at the 2023 IBA Annual Conference.
Released on Feb 23, 2024
Webinar report: ‘How women can be rainmakers and control their destiny’
This article is a recap of the webinar titled ‘How women can be rainmakers and control their destiny’, which took place on 16 May 2023 and was presented by the IBA Law Firm Management Committee, with support from the IBA Women Lawyers’ Committee and IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee.
Released on Jun 07, 2023
Reports
Our report from Annual Conference Paris 2023
The following items recap a few of the wonderful programs put together by the Law Firm Management Committee at the 2023 Annual Conference in Paris.
Subcommittees
The BDM subcommittee aims to provide education, sharing best practices, and raising the profiles of those working in BDM functions and the lawyers who dedicate time to further their firm's business development and marketing goals, to deliver education, strategies, and tools for individual lawyers and business development professionals at law firms of all sizes and at all stages of their BD journeys, to collaborate with other subcommittees within the LFMC, committees within the IBA and with external parties, to employ its subject matter expertise to advise on the LFMC's own marketing and communications initiatives. The BDM subcommittee plans to achieve these aims through the following activities:
- Webinar - Hold webinars on topics relevant to a wide audience and provide expert BDM speakers to other subcommittees, the LFMC and other IBA Committees and promote LFMC webinars to members of the subcommittee.
- Survey - Conduct surveys as requested by the LFMC and use the survey results to drive additional content.
- Conference - Conduct the BDM panel on Monday September 16th during the IBA Annual Conference on the topic - "Better Business Development”, Support in-person conferences including regional fora by providing advice and speakers as appropriate, Host The High Tide conference on September 15, 2024 in Mexico City.
- Strategy paper - Create and publish business development and marketing educational content as standalone pieces, and in support of the conferences and webinars.
- Insights - Develop podcast content that supports the aims of the BDM subcommittee, Create and add content to the IBA LFMC LinkedIn page.
- Toolkit - Collaborate internally (with other subcommittee and committees of IBA) and externally (with other organizations) to share knowledge and strategies and to provide subject matter expertise on BDM topics, Communicate LFMC webinars, surveys, and other initiatives to the subcommittee, to the LFMC membership, and to the wider IBA community through social media and other channels.
The Strategy and Finance Sub-Committee aims to be a forum and resource centre for law firm leaders, CFOs and key law firm management personnel for the dissemination and sharing of knowledge and ideas on law firm strategy and financial good practice. Some of the objectives and activities planned for 2024 are:
- Produce a "strategy road map" to assist law firms to review, formulate and implement a strategic plan.
- Hold a panel on latest trends in strategic planning in IBA annual meeting in Mexico.
- Hold two webinars on latest trends in financing of law firms and on a topical subject matter related to strategic planning.
- Create and activate a LinkedIn profile for LFMC Strategy and Finance Sub-committee to encourage sharing of information and discussions regarding strategy and finance of law firms.
The Small and Medium Firm Sub-Committee aims to provide a focus and voice for small and medium firms in the work of the LFMC and to produce relevant inputs and resources for them on key elements of law firm management, such as strategy, finance, business development, client management, knowledge management, technology, talent, leadership, compliance and governance. Some of the actions and activities planned for 2024 are:
- Attract new members by active inclusion into planned activities and regular communication.
- Produce new practical guides on relevant issues for small and medium firms.
- Ensure that small and medium firm perspective is remembered through producing input on newsletters, guides and materials on various aspects of law firm management.
- Organize specialized webinars for small and medium firms alone or in cooperation with other LFMC subcommittees.
- Liaise with LFMC conference and event organizers to promote the small and medium firm perspective and offer sessions and speakers as appropriate.
The AI & Technology Subcommittee aims to focus on practical aspects related to AI use in law firms, especially knowledge sharing and raising awareness between parties at the LFMC as to how AI may be used in everyday practice. The subcommittee seeks to explore the potential of cooperation with other subcommittees and other parties within IBA. Some of the plans for 2024 are:
- Survey on use of AI within LFMC to capture status quo of technology use, main concerns and expectations regarding further developments.
- AI prompt engineer session as part of AI Presidential Project to provide basic insight into the technology and how lawyers can get started with the use of, and developing a basic knowledge of how to get relevant help in everyday life through good legal specific prompting.
- General Interest Session at IBA Global Conference 2024 on the practical impact of AI in legal organizations "Transformative AI – how technology is re-shaping law firms".
- "Café sessions" – quarterly practical webinars where practitioners from different law firms would share their experience in using various technologies in various areas, ideally including with live demo during the session.
The CEO Subcommittee aims to share knowledge and insights on the role and responsibilities of legal business executives in law firms and business aspects of managing a law firm from that perspective and to improve the nexus between fee earners and legal business executives by providing a platform to discuss best practices, trends and challenges. The scope of the CEO Subcommittee covers:
- The role and responsibilities of legal business executives, in particular CEOs, CFOs and COOs, and their role in law firm management and the continuous changes and challenges in the management of law firms.
- The role and responsibilities of law firm leadership as a whole, e.g. the role and responsibilities of CEOs, CFOs, COOs next to or in addition to that of the role and responsibilities of managing partners, and the continuous changes and challenges in the management of law firms.
- Trends and developments on the (restrictive) (Bar) rules and regulations in respect of the role and responsibilities of legal business executives in law firms. Some of the activities planned for 2024/2025 are:
- Periodic (online) meetings (min. 4 times per year) to update, share and plan initiatives.
- Organize webinars (min. 1 per year) to discuss developments on the role and responsibilities of legal business executives and law firm management.
- Share insights and articles with LFMC members in relation to the role and responsibilities of legal business executives and developments in law firm management.
- Participate in panel discussions re the role and responsibilities of legal business executives and developments in law firm management.
- Conduct surveys to identify developments on the role and responsibilities of legal business executives and development of law firm management.
The Talent and Leadership Subcommittee aims to address and mitigate the growing challenges law firms face regarding retention and leadership. The subcommittee is dedicated to (i) explore broader strategies to attract and maintain talent as competitive salaries alone are insufficient and (ii) serving as a forum where issues related to talent retention can be openly discussed and solutions can be explored. Some of the activities planned for 2024 are:
- Increase active participation by engaging HR professionals, leadership and talent partners from member firms of the LFMC and corporate members of the IBA.
- Conduct a video conference with its members once in two months to facilitate regular updates, sharing of best practices, and collaborative planning of initiatives to tackle talent retention challenges.
- Launch a survey titled "Talent retention by law firms: new challenges in 2024" to gather data and insights on current trends and challenges in talent retention.
- Organize a webinar to discuss the findings of the survey and proposed strategies.
- Establish a thought leadership initiative addressing the pervasive challenge of talent retention within the legal sector and involve influential figures and experts in the legal industry as speakers and contributors.
The ESG Subcommittee aims to provide a platform for and contribute to the development of ESG strategies and policies within law firms. The subcommittee meets every third Monday to discuss: (i) current and future projects; (ii) topical ESG developments; and (iii) to share insights. The subcommittee actively approaches other IBA committees and ESG working groups to discuss collaboration. Some of the projects and activities planned for 2024 are:
- Update ESG Toolkit to reflect wellbeing aspects in collaboration with Professional Wellbeing Commission.
- Hold a webinar in collaboration with European Regional Forum on "Law firm decisions on ESG in a changing geopolitical environment" and a follow-up webinar on the US presidential elections and their impact on ESG.
- Participate in IBA Balkan Legal Forum with a session on "ESG - it is not about 'doing good,' it's about the future success of your firm!".
- Conduct an ESG Survey to gather data and insights on ESG practices and challenges within law firms.
- Prepare case studies on (1) Upskilling Lawyers on ESG; and (2) Client and Matter Intake and ESG factors and present them in an Officers Briefing.
- Organize a webinar on "ESG Challenges of Small and Medium Sized Law Firms. What do clients and talent expect?" in cooperation with European Regional Forum and Small and Medium Firm Subcommittees.
IBA Law Firm Governance Initiative: Best Practice Guidelines
Law Firm Management Committee Publications
The Law Firm Management Committee welcomes articles from all members. To submit an article for publication, email the relevant committee officer.
Join us on LinkedIn
If you are a member of the Law Firm Management Committee, for additional networking opportunities, programs, interviews with fellow members and tips all exclusive to LFMC members, join our LinkedIn page.