Technology is a great enabler for a small law firm
I recently had the privilege of meeting Nishith Desai and Vaibhav Parikh of Nishith Desai Associates, a prominent law firm based in Mumbai, with offices in Bangalore, Singapore and Silicon Valley. It was the winner of the International Financial Law Review's 2001
Indian Law Firm of the Year award and its 2002 Asian Law Firm of the Year (Pro-bono) award. His firm follows the Ghandi/Hendy model of democratic management and its website notes --
We aspire to
build a community of high caliber and ethical individuals by adopting
the trusteeship principles espoused by Mahatma Gandhi and Charles Handy.
I recorded an interview with Nishith, which I will post next week before LegalTech New York, but wanted to share some of his comments because they are the hallmarks of his firm's growth and success, which could help navigate today's challenging economic environment:
- Use a blue ocean strategy, i.e., go into spaces where others are not focused.
- An open, transparent and democratic system is difficult to implement in the beginning, but is more successful over time.
- Give your employees the freedom to think, act and earn.
- You have to cut your clothes according to your size.
- We do not believe in head count, we believe in brain count.
- Many companies get dressed up to go nowhere.
- Treat your client as a partner, not just a customer.
- Technology is a great enabler for a small law firm.
- Mentoring relates to management, as well as cultural and ethical issues.
Ari L. Kaplan, Esq.
www.arikaplanadvisors.com
(646) 641-0600
Author of "The Opportunity Maker: Strategies for Inspiring Your Legal Career Through Creative Networking and Business Development" (Thomson-West, 2008). Learn more at TheOpportunityMaker.com.


