WALKER CLARK LLC
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA

Walker Clark  is a multidisciplinary management consulting and leadership development firm that works exclusively with the legal profession worldwide. We were formed in 2002 by Lisa M. Walker Johnson, who is a counseling pscyhologist specializing in lawyers and the legal profession, and Norman Clark, who is a lawyer with more than 25 years experience in management of operations and client service delivery in law firms and corporate and government legal departments. Our team includes experts in international business strategy, economics, marketing of professional services, quality assurance, and internal law firm operations and financial management. We work with law firms and law departments of all sizes, specialties, and locations; but we have developed a unique expertise in advising the legal profession in emerging and recently-emerged economies. In the past two years, we have observed a new trend in some legal markets. For a variety of reasons, senior associates and non-equity partners are leaving their law firms to start their own.  A common factor in these departures, however, is a conclusion that there no longer is a persuasive business case to remain in the firm, and that, notwithstanding the risks, the opportunities are better in one's own firm. Are you thinking about starting your own law firm? Here are some things to think about. Here are two papers that we originally published in 2003, which you might find helpful as you make your decision. Click on the titles to download each paper in PDF format. Frequently-Asked Questions About Starting Your Own Law Firm At some point in their careers, most lawyers seriously consider solo practice or starting a new firm. Each lawyer approaches this opportunity with a unique set of talents, aspirations, and resources. There are several critical questions that every lawyer should consider before taking this big step; and here are some general answers that Walker Clark consultants frequently offer. Infrequently-Asked Questions About Starting Your Own Law Firm The business world offers literally hundreds of checklists of preparations and considerations for starting one’s own business. This document recommends that the most important preparation of all is the one within oneself. Are you ready to start your own firm? Do you have the values,interpersonal skills, and leadership behaviors that are necessary even in a solo practice? This checklist asks about personal attitudes, skills, and behaviors that will have a direct impact on your ultimate business success. Your answers will not tell you whether you should start your own firm. However, they will help you understand better the unique set of personal strengths and risks that you bring to your new venture. This self-knowledge can help you anticipate better the challenges that you will confront. Walker Clark is not the only legal management consulting firm. We are not the biggest or best-known, nor do we want to be. However, we are the first choice for many law firms that are willing to invest in their own future, whether to take advantage of a promising opportunity, to resolve an urgent problem, or to manage a serious business or strategic risk.  Why do progressive law firms select Walker Clark for their most serious issues?   To discuss whether your firm could benefit from working with Walker Clark, please telephone the number at the bottom of this page to speak with one of the members of our team. , which is especially for small and midsize law firms. Many of the most important issues that law firms face today require highly-focused concentration on very precise issues, many of which arise suddenly and demand prompt attention. The ability to respond with clarity and precision, and with reference to a firm's larger business goals, is truly a critical survival skill, especially for most small and midsize law firms. Traditional strategic planning methods are failing many small and midsize law firms. Rapidly changing client expectations and fiercely competitive legal markets present a frustrating intellectual challenge for smaller firms that have been successful so far, but now are confronted by an uncertain future and limited resources.  Walker Clark offers two services that can help your firm develop and implement cost-effective, fact-based answers to these questions. Walker Clark  is a multidisciplinary management consulting and leadership development firm that works exclusively with the legal profession worldwide. We were formed in 2002 by Lisa M. Walker Johnson, who is a counseling pscyhologist specializing in lawyers and the legal profession, and Norman Clark, who is a lawyer with more than 25 years experience in management of operations and client service delivery in law firms and corporate and government legal departments. Our team includes experts in international business strategy, economics, marketing of professional services, quality assurance, and internal law firm operations and financial management. We work with law firms and law departments of all sizes, specialties, and locations; but we have developed a unique expertise in advising the legal profession in emerging and recently-emerged economies.