Lawscape 2025

Thomas Berman Founder, Berman & Associates Patricia Wheatley Burt Patricia Wheatley Burt (PWB) has been consulting and advising in this sector for over 20 years. Projects include mergers, acquisitions, lateral hires, re-structuring leading to partner development, performance and remuneration management, and other business-focused services. She develops and delivers valuable interpersonal skills programmes, and leadership and management programmes Patricia Wheatley Burt is an experienced researcher: she has undertaken extensive research into the role of a MP and on leadership of which key information is provided in this report She is also a regular contributor for professional journals and is the author of Leadership in Law Firms (after the Legal Services Act, December 2010), The Role of the Managing Partner in a Law Firm (2006), Profitable Performance Management (2005), and The Role of the Law Firm Partner (first edition, 2012). Bob Murray Bob Murray, MBA, PhD (Clinical Psychology), is an internationally recognized expert in strategy, leadership, human personality, and behavioral change. Distinguished for his ability to uncover the core of issues, Bob has developed ground-breaking methods for measuring, benchmarking, and improving an organization's capacity for change and adaptation. Bob's insights are based on his wide experience and also on his deep knowledge of research in the areas of management, psychology, genetics, and neurobiology. Clients include premier law fi rms such as Allens Linklaters, Ashurst, and Herbert Smith Freehills; and other top tier companies such as KPMG, Macquarie Bank, PwC, Ford, Caterpillar, McDonald's, PepsiCo, BHP, Wesfarmers, and Stockland. Bob is an acclaimed keynote speaker and is widely published. With Dr Alicia Fortinberry, Bob received the American Science Achievement Award (2012) and advises the US government on workplace stress and other workplace issues. He specializes in ensuring executive teams develop and drive strategies that will be embraced and actioned. Bob's previous experience includes working for Hill Samuel Merchant Bank, where he helped to turn around distressed companies, as well as working as a BBC producer. With Alicia, he authored the best-selling books Creating Optimism and Raising an Optimistic Child (McGraw-Hill). These international best-sellers have become standards in the fi elds of optimism and resilience. Bob has lectured at Sydney, Duke, Tufts, South Florida, and California State universities. He received his MBA from Sydney University (where he also earned his MA in Psychology) and his PhD from New York University. Bob is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Alicia Fortinberry Alicia Fortinberry, PhD (Organizational Psychology) has gained international recognition over two decades for her powerful, lasting impact on organizations and leaders globally. Alicia enables organizations to build the leadership, performance, and culture that will achieve their vision and strategy. In addition to her work as a consultant, facilitator, and high-level executive coach, Alicia is a best-selling author and keynote speaker. She combines a clear, engaging, and practical communication style with a proven evidence-based approach and strategic acumen. With her highly experienced and credentialed Fortinberry Murray team, Alicia works with organizations and governments globally to help leaders shape and implement winning strategies using research-based understanding of human motivation and change. With her colleague Dr Bob Murray, Alicia won the American Science Achievement Award (2012) and has been appointed to head the US government's comprehensive national work stress initiative. Alicia's pioneering work is backed by the latest research in neuroscience, genetics, and management. Together with Bob, she has presented her work at leading universities such as Duke, Tufts, California State, and Sydney University. High level global clients include professional and fi nancial services fi rms such as Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, Macquarie, Westpac, Allens Linklaters, Clayton Utz, and Herbert Smith Freehills, as well as companies such as Stockland, Wesfarmers, Westpac, BHP, Macdonald's, PepsiCo, and Ford. With Bob she authored the best-selling books Creating Optimism and Raising an Optimistic Child (McGraw-Hill). These international bestsellers have become standards in the fi elds of optimism and resilience. Alicia received her Masters in Psychology and Journalism from Columbia University and her PhD in Organizational Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Phyllis Weiss Haserot Practice Development Counsel John Alber John Alber serves as futurist for the International Legal Technology Association. He also writes, speaks, and consults, focusing on fi nding practical ways to reshape the delivery of legal services to suit a future demanding excellence far beyond substantive legal skills. Prior to his current role, John led Bryan Cave LLP to become one of the most innovative fi rms in the world, serving as its Strategic Innovation Partner for more than 16 years. While at Bryan Cave, he also served for seven years on the fi rm's Operating Group (its management committee). At Bryan Cave, John created one of the fi rst Practice Economics consulting groups, one of the fi rst client facing technology groups and one of the fi rst in-fi rm legal process outsourcing (LPO) organizations. The groups he created developed innovative web-based, client-centric applications that delivered legal advice to clients, managed complex workfl ows and even created pleadings automatically. They also developed client-facing knowledge management, project management, project estimation, and business intelligence systems and highly technologyleveraged alternative staffi ng solutions for engagements of all types. Eric Hunter Eric Hunter is the director of knowledge, technology & innovation strategies at Bradford & Barthel, LLP, executive director of Spherical Models, LLC, and a legal industry futurist. Eric leads the spherical models team focusing on spherical business innovations, models, and process workflow leveraging big data, strategic pricing, predictive, futurism, social, and collaborative solutions. Eric is constantly looking to leverage innovation solutions to enhance client service interaction while driving business optimization solutions internally. Eric speaks and writes on futurism, competitive strategy, evolving business models, process evolutions, big data, strategic pricing, predictive analytics, and collaborative cloud solutions globally and is the recipient of ILTA's 2010 `Knowledge Management Champion' Distinguished Peer and ILTA's 2010 `Innovative Member' awards. Eric is on the editorial board for Managing Partner. Follow Eric on twitter. Rohit Talwart Chief executive officer of Fast Future Publishing and Steve Wells, chief executive officer of Informing Choices and operations director of Fast Future Publishing. Joanna Goodman Joanna Goodman is a freelance journalist, writer, and author. She covers business and technology topics for national publications and blue-chip corporates. She is the IT columnist for the Law Society Gazette and writes regular features for The Guardian about cutting-edge technology, brands, and media. Her favourite topics include artificial intelligence, robots and chatbots, virtual assistants, connected devices, driverless cars, and virtual and augmented reality - and she's always interested in finding out about technology that's new and different. Her professional life reflects her interests in technology, books, art, and design. Joanna has written several short films and an independent feature film, Alfheim's Edge (2016). She has an MBA in strategic management from Kingston University. Joanna is based in London. She likes films, going to dance classes, and travelling to new destinations. Jack Bostelman Jack Bostelman is president of KM/JD Consulting LLC in San Francisco, California, which advises law firm leaders on practice management, including knowledge management and other productivity improvements. Before founding KM/JD Consulting, Jack was a partner for over 20 years at pre-eminent AmLaw 20 firm Sullivan & Cromwell in New York City, where he had a nationally recognized transactional securities law practice and exercised management responsibilities. Chris Boyd Chris Boyd is senior director of professional services at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati LLP in Palo Alto, California. Chris runs the firm's recruiting, training, and knowledge management programs, all of which are designed to help the firm deliver superlative value to its clients. Chris was previously an attorney at the firm and also led KM programs at several internet start-ups. Douglas McPherson Director, Size 101/2 Boots Ian Turvill Chief Marketing Officer, Freeborn & Peters LLP