Workplace Integration

Integrating into a new workplace environment — whether as the result of a merger or a lateral move — is difficult under the best of circumstances. On an individual level, the lawyer entering a new practice environment must adjust to a whole host of changes, ranging from the obvious ones — a new physical environment, new administrative procedures and support, and new benefit plans — to far more subtle and difficult changes — the new workplace’s culture, establishing relationships with partners and colleagues, and managing clients. On a collective basis, the workplace that is integrating the new lawyer or practice group is also faced with a number of adjustments resulting from the introduction of new personalities and capabilities to the firm.

Not surprisingly, a number of mergers and lateral moves fail because insufficient attention has been paid to the integration of the new lawyer or group into the existing workplace environment and culture, and to the adjustment of the existing workplace to the capabilities (and challenges) introduced by the entry of the new lawyer or group. Resulting complications can include: a clash of cultures; conflicting visions; failure to integrate the newcomers into the overall strategic plan; mismanaged expectations with regard to profits, marketing possibilities and client conflicts; and an overall lack of trust between newcomers and old-timers.

The Executive Lawyer LLC offers a cultural integration program to individual lawyers, firms and organizations to facilitate the integration of lawyers and groups into a new work environment. As part of our program, we work extensively with the new lawyers to identify their values, culture and integration needs. We also assess the values, culture, strategic plan, policies and procedures of the new workplace to identify how the newcomers can best be supported in joining the firm or organization, and how they can best support their new firm or organization. By clarifying the needs and objectives of all parties involved, we facilitate the integration process, resulting in a reduced learning time for the integrating lawyer, increased job satisfaction (and therefore a higher retention rate) and improved profitability.