Business always brings surprises.  In the legal profession, they can include, for example:

• An economic downturn is on its way and you are unprepared.
• One of your key partners or practice groups threatens to leave -- or actually departs.
• Internal disagreements between two partners threaten to disrupt the performance of a practice group or the entire partnership.
• Your firm's most promising associates are recruited by another firm.
• One of your major clients merges or is acquired.
• You lose an important piece of work to a competitor.
• A breakdown in quality assurance jeopardizes a long-standing client relationship.
• A client demands a 25% reduction in your fees.
• One of your oldest clients requires you to participate in a competitive tender offer or "beauty contest" if you want to continue performing the work.
• A promising growth or merger opportunity arises suddenly.
• Your firm wins a new client, but now you are not sure you can meet the client's expectations.

Getting the business back on track

Regardless of whether it's an opportunity or a threat, your firm's future success may depend on your ability to:

• Assemble the right team to respond promptly.
• Collect and analyze the facts thoroughly and dispassionately.
• Identify possible options, as well as their short-term and long-range risks and advantages.
• Move forward with a clear, practical plan.
• Measure and evaluate the results.

Walker Clark will be there.

When a crisis appears, you need informed decisions and action, not consulting studies, research, and reports.  Walker Clark's crisis response service is available anywhere in the world.  Here is how Walker Clark's unique crisis response service can help:

• 24-hour response. Within 24 hours of your contacting us, we will assign a Walker Clark team and start work on your issues.  We can usually begin during our first phone conversation.
• Fixed fees.    As with other Walker Clark engagements, our crisis response service is provided for a fixed fee, which usually includes all expenses and is agreed at the beginning of the engagement. If there are any uncertainties or contingencies -- such as unknown travel requirements -- we will identify those and their possible costs at the start.  There are enough unpleasant surprises in the business world today.  Our fee will not be one of them.
• Prompt on-site assistance.  As a crisis response client, your firm goes to the "top of the list" for scheduling on-site assistance.  If you desire, we can usually have a senior Walker Clark consultant or consulting team at your office, meeting with you and your management team at your earliest opportunity.  With consultants throughout Europe and the Americas, we can usually be there -- anywhere in the world -- within two business days.
• Data collection and evaluation.  We will help you to collect, organize, and evaluate all the information you need to make informed decisions. 
• Response and recovery plan.  We will define and evaluate options, as well as identify and articulate their likely short-term and long-range business implications.  We will also help you to plan your response, with specific action items and responsibilities, as well as clear measurements to track the business results.

To discuss a possible need for a Walker Clark crisis response team, contact us by e-mail or telephone at 1.239.466.8370 during normal business hours in the Americas ot 1.239.297.7808 at any other time.

How can you improve your ability to anticipate and respond to your firm's next business crisis.  Click here to learn more about Walker Clark's Crisis Management for Law Firms, one of our Core Business Skills Development Programs.