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.
So the saying goes “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”
No it doesn’t. Most lawyers I speak to are not made stronger by thoughtless feedback, low level bullying, long-hours cultures, poor management practices and inefficient processes. Mostly these things undermine confidence, cause frustration and result in less resilient people. In other words these things do not make any of us stronger. A lawyer’s career is… More
One month to #GE2015, a message to supporters from their hopeless candidate
…A month to go to the 2015 General Election. As I have always been I want to be completely honest with you. Before looking ahead I would like to look back. In December 2014 I put my name forward to be a candidate in our local Party’s candidate selection process. I did not expect to… More
Behaving like an arse is a short term play
“Taking advantage” is a phrase I hear a lot when lawyers discuss their work. I think it is linked to the idea of lawyers as business people concerned with competitiveness and commerciality, but in any event it manifests itself in the restless and energetic pursuit of getting the best possible deal/outcome for each client on… More
Paul Gilbert election notes
“I am so proud to be Cheltenham’s prospective Labour Party candidate. I am told by lots of people that I am a no-hope 100/1 chance, but then there was Norton’s Coin. So until Election night itself I will do all I can to make a difference and to honour the responsibility placed in me as… More
Innovative pricing and shredded ambition
When in-house legal teams run their appointment processes to select law firms to act for them on their so called panels, there are a small number of words in every tender document that result in a visceral shudder for partners and bid teams in law firms. “Please give examples of innovative pricing models”. It’s as… More