Tis the season at many firms of the partner retreat, the yearly ritual of airline and hotel bookings, cocktail socials, guest speakers, breakout sessions and activities ranging from fishing to fine dining—all to help lawyers bond, think and answer some basic but critical questions. Namely: Who are we? Where are we going? And how do we get there?
It’s a good sign, I think, that firms seem not to be taking even the first question for granted. I was struck by this on a recent trip to Chicago to visit Schiff Hardin (yes, for a partner retreat)—a firm founded before the Great Chicago Fire, now celebrating its 150th year. A big banner heralding the sesquicentennial hangs in the lobby of the firm’s Willis Tower headquarters, and they’ve had a few events during the year. But the firm is mindful of the fact that clients want to know what you can do for them today, not so much what you did for great-great-great grandpa.
