Lean Six Sigma for Law Firms

BOOK REVIEW
LEAN SIX SIGMA FOR LAW FIRMS
By Catherine Alman MacDonagh
ISBN: 978 1 78358 111 5
ARK GROUP
www.managingpar...
ENHANCED EFFICIENCY AND SUPERIOR RESULTS FOR LAW FIRMS - A NEW MANAGEMENT TOOL
An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers
If you’re a practitioner looking for ways and means to conduct your business more profitably in today’s increasingly competitive global markets, you would be well advised to have a read of this recent publication from Ark Group.
If you find the title somewhat mystifying, ‘Lean Six Sigma’ is the designation of a set of processes; a management tool aimed at helping you gain competitive advantage and optimize client care at the same time, in a now overcrowded legal marketplace. As described by the author, Catherine Alman MacDonagh, ‘Lean’ and ‘Six Sigma’ (sometimes referred to separately and/or interchangeably) are process improvement tool kits for law firms.
‘Process improvement’ in this context is explained in detail, but to summarize, ‘Lean’ is about simplifying process - reducing steps -- increasing speed -- eliminating waste and improving productivity. ‘Six Sigma’ focuses on reducing and controlling variation. ‘Lean’ and ‘Six Sigma’ combined are about determining the right things to do (Lean) and then doing them right (Six Sigma).
Why the Greek letter ‘Sigma?’ We don’t know either. No doubt one can discern the explanation by intensive study of this text, but this is a minor and actually immaterial point. The aim of this book, which is presented in handy management report format, is fundamentally to convince lawyers of the benefits of systematizing their methodologies as appropriate to the work they do.
Interestingly, the senior vice president and general counsel of DuPont Legal, Thomas L. Sager, has written an encouraging foreword to the book in which he describes the successful implementation over a number of years, of what has become known as the DuPont Legal Model, which exemplifies the principles of the ‘Six Sigma journey,’ under the broad heading of process improvement. Enhanced efficiency and superior results are only two of the positive outcomes mentioned.
Also noteworthy is the article by award-winning legal writer, Jonathan Furlong, who builds a convincing case for Lean Six Sigma as a catalyst for success within any law firm, quite simply because -- if properly and logically implemented -- it works.
Process-driven and systematic methods have demonstrably achieved positive results at a number of law firms both in North America and the UK.
‘The day of the haphazard lawyer,’(who operates on intuition and experience) ‘is drawing to a close,’ says Furlong, adding that ‘the process-driven lawyer, disciplined, procedural, systematic’ is the success model for the future. ‘Madness lies not in method,’ he declares, ‘but in its absence.’
If all this sounds a bit controversial, or debatable, or a trifle “gloom-and doom”, we are reassured that ‘process’ does not denigrate intellectual gifts; it serves to discipline and improve upon them.
As a pioneering concept developed only a few years ago, process improvement will predictably emerge as the way of the future, particularly in progressive law firms receptive to the need for change. This book very usefully describes in practical terms, how this and related methodologies can be implemented in -- and adapted to -- any legal environment.
Any law firm, or set of chambers for that matter, interested in creating a successful shift to modern management methods, should set about acquiring this book.

[@alextuhtan5265]

I believe the use of the title six sigma refers to the minimum guide to minimising defects or errors in a process to at least six standard deviations, with ‘sigma’ being the Greek sigma for a standard deviation.

[@LegallyLean]

Mr. Taylor, I've just come across your review of my book. I only wish I'd known of it earlier so that I could extend my thanks for your kind words. I've got plans for a follow up edition that will be called "Lean Six Sigma for Law Firms and Legal Departments" and I'll be sure to reach out to you when I finish writing it. Thank you again.