Simple things such as how work is carried out, returning messages and arriving at meetings on time are all affected by the prevailing culture in a law firm, says the consultant. 'If there is a value of service and respect, then you do find lawyers getting back to clients promptly,' he said.

Management jargon

But some lawyers see the idea of culture as 'management jargon', he added. Since lawyers are, by nature, skeptical in their thinking, many of them can be inclined to dismiss notions of culture. The way that culture is created is influenced heavily by the kind of people who are seen as the heroes and heroines or role models in the firm. Source: Lawyers Weekly