Legal regulation research from around the world of interest to ICLR members
Using a unique data set comprised of original research of both the corporate websites of the Big Four — PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, and EY — and their affiliated law firms, as well as archival material from the legal and accountancy press, this article documents the rise and transformation of the Big Four legal service lines…
The Preliminary Report presents the results of the Harvard Law School Career Study (HLSCS), conducted by the school’s Center on the Legal Profession (CLP). Begun with a generous grant from a group of women alumnae in connection with the 55th celebration of the graduation of the school’s first female students in 1953, the study seeks…
Notwithstanding the increasing importance of technology, the practice of corporate law is — and is likely to remain for the foreseeable future — a human capital business. As a result, law firms must continue to attract, develop, and retain talented lawyers. Unfortunately, the traditional approach, which divides responsibility for professional development among law schools, which…
Winds of change are blowing over the legal profession. Yet, compared to other professions and industries, legal services regulation remains very much a laggard. For the most part, legal services regulation remains rigid, reactive and complaint-based. These are not characteristics that are considered regulatory best practices. Recognizing this, a number of law societies are contemplating…
This essay, published by the Center on the Legal Profession at Harvard Law School, presents a practical vision of the responsibilities of lawyers as both professionals and as citizens at the beginning of the 21st century. Specifically, it seeks to define and give content to four ethical responsibilities that the authors believe are of signal…
This article is one of a series addressing the American Bar Association’s Commission on the Future of Legal Services, and is intended to provide a foundation for policymakers interested in global lawyer regulation. Rather than suggest the best approach to regulating global lawyering and lawyers, however, the article instead takes aim at developing a wish-list…
A qualitative study of how consumers with mental health problems and dementia experience legal services published by the Legal Services Board (LSB), England and Wales. Why is this research important? The LSB has a strategic objective to reduce the existing high levels of unmet legal need. Ensuring the needs of vulnerable consumers are understood and…
The opportunities for law firms to reach out to potential clients are outlined in a new paper published by the SRA. Improving access – tackling unmet legal needs outlines some of the barriers faced by the public and small businesses when they need legal services. It also details ways in which law firms can develop their…
Proposals to centralise the assessment of would-be solicitors in England and Wales are highly likely to increase the number, and broaden the range, of training providers in the market, according to a report published by the Bridge Group. The report, based on 18 individual and group, semi-structured interviews (25 participants in total) with a representative range of…
Most solicitors practising family law in England and Wales appear to be providing services in line with expected standards, according to recently published research. The study, carried out by Ecorys UK, found fairly strong agreement among consumers that their solicitor met the core competencies, particularly those relating to their professional manner. Just over one-half (58…
