I haven’t blogged much on here recently, partly because of being busy at work but also because I have been setting up two other blogs and a podcast.

The first blog – ukblawgroundup – I’ve mentioned on here before.  This is the name of the blog carnival for UK Lawyers which reviews the UK legal blogging scene.  The next edition is published on the 31^st March, with submissions due by 17^th.  Peninsulawyer will be hosting it.

The other new blog I am starting is one that focuses on the Legal Services Act 2007 and the whole debate over Tesco Law.  I’ve lectured on this recently and I’ve due to start a series of lectures (to solicitors) for MBL Seminars the week after next. Much of my time over the last couple of weeks has been spent preparing the notes.  Whilst doing that it occurred to me that it would be a good plan to start a blog specifically devoted to legal deregulation, rather than putting it up on this blog as I have been to date.  I have created a blog called “There may be trouble ahead” and it will go live shortly.  URL details will be posted here.

I plan to kick off with a post on the issue of who would actually want to buy a law firm and then a guest post from Mark Greenhouse of Resq on the application of “Lean” principles in law firms.   I’ll be looking for guest bloggers to give their take on Tesco Law – please contact me if you would be interested in contributing. Other projects include a series of slidecasts (slideshare presentations but with added sound) on the basic aspects of the LSA, to give some background on the basics.   I’m hoping people will contribute and that we can have,  as Mrs Merton used to say on her show “a heated debate”.

When I’m not blogging on Tesco law I’m still going to be writing on employment issues here at Jobsworth.

Finally, I recorded a podcast with Brian Inkster of Inksters Solicitors Glasgow.  That will be up very shortly – hopefully this weekend.

Have a good weekend.

No related posts.

News from Jobsworth originally appeared on Jobsworth by Michael Scutt on 12/03/2010.

Yesterday I spoke at a workshop arranged by Gateway Media on the theme of “Combating Tesco Law: Preparing your Brand Presence”.  I tried to explain what the LSA does in about an hour – it was a bit of a rush but no one fell asleep and I hope I got the main points across.  As promised I have loaded my Powerpoint presentation onto Slideshare and you can view it here;

No related posts.

The Legal Services Act 2007 originally appeared on Jobsworth by Michael Scutt on 03/03/2010.

I recently read a post on The Client Revolution, a US blog,  called “What lawyers can learn from an Office Depot Commercial”.  It’s  about how small law firms can compete with larger businesses, not by trying to compete on price, but in other ways, namely quality of work. The post is well worth a read, and the You Tube video beneath is the one that Jay Shepherd, the author, refers to.  Next Tuesday I am speaking at Gateway Media’s workshop on “Combating Tesco Law” and this advert strikes me as containing a very useful example of how firms can strike back at bigger competitors. 

These issues are getting more relevant for practitioners by the day.  John Flood, Professor of Law and Sociology at the University of Westminster reports on his blog, RATS (take a look to see what the acronym stands for) that the Legal Services Board has announced Alternative Business Structures will come into operation from October 2011 – see the press release here. Applications for ABS status will be allowed from next summer.  John asks “will it be a matter of who gets there first or will the fast second ultimately win?”.  I would opt for the latter: being a guinea pig is rarely a route to success. 

Now that the prospect of market consolidation is getting very close, what steps should law firms be taking?  Being creative, open to change and offering the legal equivalent of fixing a cheapo haircut.  You just need to get your message out there.  

No related posts.

It’s quality, not quantity that counts originally appeared on Jobsworth by Michael Scutt on 26/02/2010.

How prepared are you for the Legal Services Act?

Gateway Media are a very accomplished media agency with some blue-chip clients.  I was therefore delighted to be invited to speak on the 2nd March at the above workshop about the Legal Services Act 2007 and the implications for lawyers.  I will be taking a look at the Legal Services Act and its main provisions in a talk entitled “The Legal Services Act Explained“.  The introduction of Alternative Business Structures is now only a year away.

After me will be two very interesting sessions on marketing and the use of digital media.  The “Marketing Refresher” session is aimed at lawyers and how to promote professional services.  It will deal with marketing basics and the issues business owners need to think about when promoting their brands.

The final session “Practical Steps”  will be devoted to digital media, promotional strategies and developing your online presence.

It should be an interesting (half) afternoon – and it’s free!

You can register at http://tiny.cc/V4hlI

Or phone: 020 3056 4063

Related posts:

1. “Tesco Law” – not the threat that solicitors fear?

Combating Tesco Law: Prepare your Brand Presence originally appeared on Jobsworth by Michael Scutt on 08/02/2010.