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, part two: Partner leadership – evolving roles and managing generational disconnect
27 May 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
Projects and reports
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.
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.
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.
Publications
How to internationalise your business
For many law firms, international legal work is already part of their practice. Whether it is advising foreign investors, navigating cross-border transactions or handling disputes with an international element, legal teams often engage beyond their own jurisdictions. But true internationalisation is more than just taking on occasional cross-border matters.
Released on Apr 29, 2025
Converting leads into clients: ten tips for lawyers
In the competitive legal market, law firms invest substantial resources in marketing. However, many firms fail to prioritise the ultimate goal of these investments: converting leads into clients. A necessary key performance indicator (KPI) to measure marketing success is the number of leads generated, as leads represent potential business opportunities. However, while generating leads is crucial, success is ultimately determined by how effectively those leads turn into paying clients. Without conversion, marketing efforts become a sunk cost rather than a growth driver.
Released on Mar 12, 2025
Getting the best of directory submissions and how to work with your BD team
Directory submissions often feel like an administrative burden to be ticked off the list and moved on from, but they’re actually one of the most valuable tools for building credibility and strengthening your firm’s market position. In this article, the authors explore practical ways to streamline directory submissions, make collaboration more effective and ensure that your firm presents the strongest case possible.
Released on Jan 16, 2025
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
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 and other groups
The Law Firm Management Committee also coordinates the activities of the following subcommittees/working groups.
- AI & Technology Subcommittee
The 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 also seeks to assist members of the LFMC by providing law firm managers with guidelines concerning AI implementation at law firms.
- Business Development and Marketing Subcommittee
The Subcommittee will seek to highlight the importance of business development and marketing within law firms by providing education, sharing best practices, and raising the profiles of those working in BDM functions and the lawyers who dedicate time to further their firms business development and marketing goals. The Subcommittee will 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.
- CEO Subcommittee
The purpose of the CEO Subcommittee is 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.
- ESG Subcommittee
The Subcommittee provides a platform for and contributes to the development of ESG strategies and policies within law firms. We meet every third Monday to discuss current and future projects, topical ESG developments and to share insights. The Subcommittee actively approaches other IBA committees and ESG working groups to foster collaboration. We are always interested in enthusiastic professionals who share our passion for ESG and Responsible Business.
- Small and Medium Firms Subcommittee
The Subcommittee seeks to provide a focus and voice for small and medium firms in the work of the LFMC so as to make its work even more relevant to them.
- Strategy and Finance Subcommittee
Mission: to be a forum and resource centre for law firm leaders and key management personnel for the development, dissemination and sharing of knowledge and ideas on law firm strategy and financial practices.
- Talent and Leadership Subcommittee
The mission of the Subcommittee is to address and mitigate the growing challenges law firms face regarding retention and leadership. The Subcommittee is dedicated to exploring broader strategies to attract and maintain talent as competitive salaries alone are insufficient and serving as a forum where issues related to leadership and talent retention can be openly discussed and solutions can be explored.
Subcommittees
Business Development & Marketing Sub-committee Plan - 2025-2026
Mission StatementThe subcommittee will seek to highlight the importance of business development and marketing within law firms by providing education, sharing best practices, and raising the profiles of those working in BDM functions and the lawyers who dedicate time to further their firms business development and marketing goals. The committee will 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. The
subcommittee seeks to collaborate with other subcommittees within the LFMC, committees within the IBA and with external parties. Additionally, the subcommittee will employ its subject matter expertise to advise on the LFMC's own marketing and communications initiatives. Governance
The BDM Steering Committee will meet 10 times per year via conference call. The Steering Committee consists of 8-10 individuals with proven track records of improving BDM within their firms and each is responsible /co-responsible for one of the BDM subcommittee's aims for 2025. The BDM full subcommittee will meet quarterly, allowing members opportunities for education and networking. The Chair (Katherin Hutchinson) and Vice-Chair (Rachel Kennedy-Bilimoria) will join monthly LFMC officers call and Officers' Briefings where possible.
2025 Goals
Membership
- Attract new members and grow the sub-committee, aiming for a diverse membership across geographies, firm sizes, and job functions. Membership is open to all those in good standing with the IBA who select the LFMC as their committee.
- Schedule at least two BDM subcommittee led webinars during the year on topics relevant to a wide audience. The first of these was delivered on Feb 26 in conjunction with the Legal Marketing Association, and in collaboration with IBA HQ. Other topics that are actively being explored include;directories, how to prepare for the Annual Conference and alternative marketing – legal influencers;
- Provide expert BDM speakers to other subcommittees, the LFMC and other IBA Committees as requested; and
- Promote LFMC webinars to members of the subcommittee.
Podcasts
Develop podcast content that supports the aims of the BDM subcommittee.
Written Content
- Create and publish BDM educational content as standalone pieces and in support of the conferences and webinars. The first three articles (Q1 2025) have been submitted to the IBA; and
- Create and add content to the IBA LFMC LinkedIn page.
Surveys
Conduction BDM surveys as requested by the LFMC and use the survey results to drive additional content.
Collaboration
Collaborate internally (with other subcommittees and committees of the IBA) and externally (with other organisations) to share knowledge and strategies and to provide subject matter expertise on BDM topics.
Communication
Promote 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.
Conferences
- Conduct the BDM Panel during the Annual Conference on Monday November 3rd November 2025 on the topic: Better business development is about clients – how to get the most work from better clients;
- Support in-person conferences including regional fora by providing advice and speakers as appropriate; and
- Host The High Tide conference on Sunday 2nd November 2025 in Toronto.
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.
Alex Birsan, Chair
Giedrė Aukštuolienė, Co-Chair
Giedrė Aukštuolienė, Co-Chair
The Sub-committee 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 Sub-committee also seeks to assist members of the LFMC by providing law firm managers with guidelines concerning AI implementation at law firms.
Plans for 2025:
Plans for 2025:
- 10 things list for Top Ten Things Law Firms Should Be Doing About AI Now – this list was prepared in 2024 and as the feedback was positive, we do plan to update the list this year.
- AI and Technology session at IBA Global Conference 2025 in Toronto – session (to be moderated by Alex) is confirmed to take place 9h30-10h45 on Friday 7 November.
- Survey on AI impact on law firms - in 2024, the sub-committee cooperated with SPPI regarding the survey findings of which were presented at IBA Global Conference in Mexico City (accessible here). In continuation, we will proceed assisting SPPI with the survey and reaching the target audience.
- Prompt-a-thon - we are exploring the idea of an interactive event to encourage use of AI with LexisNexis.
- Round table/town hall on use of AI. This may merge into the previous item or may be separately held. We would like to explore in a more interactive manner the actual uses of AI in the legal profession, with concrete examples, best practices and things to avoid.
- AI lawyers chat for knowledge sharing - we have created a WhatsApp chat to share knowledge within the wider group and are exploring how to make this active.
- LFMC retreat session in Toronto – we remain available to contribute and assist.
The Sub-committee 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 Sub-committee also seeks to assist members of the LFMC by providing law firm managers with guidelines concerning AI implementation at law firms.
The LFMC has formed a new subcommittee (the CEO Subcommittee) aimed at sharing knowledge and insights on this development and the role and responsibilities of legal business executives (i.e. law firm managers who do not practice law) in law firms.
The purpose of the CEO Subcommittee is 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 is:
- the role and responsibilities of legal business executives in particular CEOs, CFOs and COOs1, 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, 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; and - Business services trends and developments on the (restrictive) (Bar) rules and regulations in respect of the role and responsibilities of legal business executives in law firms.
The CEO Subcommittee is committed to fostering a diverse and dynamic participant base, ensuring representation across different regions, firm sizes, and professional backgrounds. In 2025, our goal is to engage three - five Chief Operating Officers (COO’s) per region globally, strengthening cross-regional collaboration and enriching discussions with diverse insights.
By engaging an average of three COOs per region, we aim to create a well-balanced and representative network, driving meaningful discussions on key industry challenges and opportunities.
The CEO Subcommittee intends to organise the following activities:
- Periodic (online) meetings (min. 4 times per year). The meetings will be co-chaired by the CEO Subcommittee's co-chairs;
- Periodic (online) meetings (min. 4 times per year). The meetings will be co-chaired by the CEO Subcommittee's co-chairs;
- Organise 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; and
- Conduct surveys to identify developments on the role and responsibilities.
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.
- Organise 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 Subcommittee provides a platform for and contributes to the development of ESG strategies and policies within law firms. We meet 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 foster collaboration. We are always interested in enthusiastic professionals who share our passion for ESG and Responsible Business.
Feel free to contact: Wangui Kaniaru (wangui.kaniaru@aln.africa) or Robert van Beemen (vanbeemen@drbgroep.nl)
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.
Projects
- IBA Annual Conference: top tips, Business Development and Marketing Subcommittee guide
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.
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.
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.