An article was published in today’s Australian Financial Review by Aaron Patrick (‘Ashurst should accept its purpose is not extraordinary‘) that, frankly, I disagree with. And when I say “disagree with“, I acknowledge and respect Aaron’s comments, but Ashurst (like Allens) are celebrating 200 years so we should cut them some slack.
Anyhow, that’s not why I’m posting tonight – although it kind of is.
Because, included in Aaron’s story is a 1978 memo written by Geoffrey Hone -‘Functions and Responsibilities of the Managing Partner‘ – that’s an exert from a book Ashurst have published to celebrate their 200 years – ‘Ashurst, the story of a progressive global law firm‘ (2022) which I think is light years ahead if its time (the memo that is, not the book):
So, aside from the use of “he”, which given who the MP of Blake and Riggall was at time could be forgiven, can you see any fault at all in this manifesto?
I’d go so far to say – not only is this a brilliant piece of work, if you want to set up a law firm in this day and age, follow it!
As usual, comments are my own and I welcome feedback from anyone who can think of a manifesto for your law firm managing partner that would include items outside this – because we should always remember, our MPs work for us!
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Richard, I have had the honor of graduating over 80 new firm leaders from our ‘First 100 Days masterclass’ within which we stressed the importance of having a written job description. Bob Dell told me when he retried from his decades of leading Latham & Watkins that he was shocked at the extent to which his partners did NOT know what he did, but then Bob admitted he did not have a written job description. Now I have a 50 bullet point, activity analysis of the tasks and responsibilities attached to being a Managing Partner, and must confess that only about 3 of the ones from this 1978 list would be included – with the others today, usually being the responsibility of the firm’s COO.
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Your comments are always so insightful Patrick!
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