Rene built her career in South Africa where Standard Bank is based. During our conversation, we chatted about:
- Her experiences at multiple firms
- How technology has transformed the workplace during the pandemic
- Why she’s not a fan of timesheets
Talking with Rene reminded me that the billable hour isn’t as entrenched outside the U.S. as it is in the States.
For example, I spent time last week in London at several industry events.
Across the week, I talked to dozens of leaders from firms and in-house teams.
No one I talked to said they liked the billable hour — not even firm partners.
Those of us in leadership positions— the GCs, firm partners, and other senior leaders — we’re the ones in position to change the culture.
Yes, at PERSUIT, we're on a mission to kill the billable hour in legal.
But not just because we don't like it.
The billable hour creates an incentive for associates to work incredibly long hours on tasks that don't always create value for the client.
Value-based pricing — in contrast — incentivizes a completely different set of behaviors.
For firms, value-based pricing unlocks profitability through specialization, innovation, and efficiency.
For in-house teams, value-based pricing means lower, more predictable costs, plus an opportunity to consider diversity, experience, and proposed strategies for a matter in your selection process.
Killing the billable hour is a means to something greater.
The bigger goal is to create a more equitable, more sustainable, more profitable future for everyone in legal — including firms and the in-house teams they work with.
-Jim
P.S. Today at 12 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. BST, we’re partnering with Deloitte for a free webinar called:
I invite you to join us!
