In this section we have collated all the previously published articles and blogs written by Paul Gilbert, Jonathan Smith and guests.
This is a resource for you to browse and is free to view. The first articles were published in the early 2000’s, but retain a relevance that is still valid and informative today. The later pieces reflect the changing face of the legal profession and the threat/opportunity for the role of lawyers in business and in our society.
We hope you will find that their opinions add to the debates of the day and inform, challenge and occasionally provoke. Please also join them in that debate on Twitter and follow Jonathan @jdsofislip and Paul @LBCWiseCounsel.
Fixing before disrupting
It didn’t take long and now “disruption” has entered the lexicon of paradigm shifting scene-shifters. A whirligig for every new idea* (*includes every not new idea) ensuring nothing is taken to market without its very own bullshit badge. I know I am in danger, if not long past the point, of being considered a grumpy… More
Flexible working, not bent out of shape
Flexible working is the single biggest driver for change in the legal profession – greater than any tech innovation, greater than any disruptive influence from new legal services providers and far greater than changing the hourly rate charging model. Law firms and businesses employing lawyers in in-house legal teams must either embrace flexible working practices… More
High performance culture – no thank you
“We want people who work well in a high performance culture” said the headhunter. My heart sank. One day I am going to set up a recruitment business and when I do this will be a typical role specification: “This role requires patience, some courage and an indigestion remedy. The brand suggests a highly successful… More
General Counsel means General Counsel
What is the purpose of a General Counsel? At the risk of saying something that sounds unhelpfully like “General Counsel means General Counsel” I have spent a lot of time over very many years considering how people in this role should define their purpose and articulate their contribution. I am aware that short articles like… More
A letter to my father
I would like to share something precious; it is a letter I wrote in July last year. I want to share it because it is helping me now more than I could ever have imagined at the time. I think it might be helpful for other people too. It is not a sad thing, but… More