Effective Knowledge Management for Law Firms

Front Cover
Oxford University Press, Jul 1, 2004 - Law - 264 pages
While there is significant interest in knowledge management as it applies to legal environments, there are very few books specifically focused on this topic. In Effective Knowledge Management For Law Firms, Matthew Parsons expertly fills this gap by drawing on his work with a leading commercial law firm, Mallesons Stephen Jaques. He examines how law firms can implement a knowledge strategy to support their business strategy, rather than getting beguiled by fads and technology. Parsons first outlines the terrain, including what knowledge management means, the business and economics of law firms, and how lawyers work as knowledge workers. He then introduces a methodology for creating and implementing law firm knowledge strategy, which combines for the first time the interrelated aspects of recruiting, training, research, document production, information management, and digital knowledge strategy. Parsons goes beyond theories to provide detailed, practical help for the analysis, implementation, and measurement of performance-increasing initiatives. This book will be an invaluable resource for all those involved with the management and leadership of law firms and knowledge management initiatives.
 

Contents

Introduction
3
Understanding the Terrain Knowledge Management Law Firms and Lawyers
11
Plotting and Sailing a Course Creating and Implementing Law Firm Knowledge Strategy
75
Recommendations for Your Personal Interpersonal and Impersonal Knowledge Strategies
157
Resources to Build Your Tacit Knowledge
219
Notes
241
Index
247
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About the author (2004)

Matthew Parsons is a knowledge management consultant with over eighteen years of experience with accounting and law firms. He holds degrees in accounting and law from the University of New South Wales, Australia; has practiced as a mergers and acquisitions attorney; and was formerly the Director of Know How and Online Products at the Australian-based international law firm, Mallesons Stephen Jacques. In addition to consulting, he currently lectures at the Weatherhead Business School at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

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