One More Thing

Matt and Dennis and I have been talking about an idea that's turned into a project that's shaping into something very interesting.  We’re bringing together a braintrust of people for an innovation conference in early April. Together, we’re going to figure out how to transform the practice of law. And then we’re going to go back home and do it, with one another’s help.

Matt's booked a great creative room in Chicago, with enough space for 40 or so people, and whiteboards and tables and sofas for idea capturing. We’ve started inviting the smartest folks we know—innovators from the legal world, and also entrepreneurial thinkers from business, marketing, and technology circles with transformative ideas and down-to-earth experience. The folks already lined up to be part of the conversation are articulate, talented, and influential.

Our objective is to generate, refine, and capture big ideas that will make the provision of professional services better for clients and for lawyers. We’ve got a list of topics for discussion and brainstorming exercises, and in each topic area we will be focusing on specific, tangible, attainable changes we can make in our practices to make life better for ourselves and for our clients. The folks who are already coming have proven that they can take big ideas and translate them into forward-looking practical realities. It’s going to be really fun.

We’re keeping this reasonably small, so that everyone who comes can contribute meaningfully, and interact with everyone else. This gathering will be the beginning, but not the end, of a collaboration among creative, dynamic lawyers, marketers, technologists, and businesspeople. We’re putting in place formal and informal channels—a monthly conference call, a wiki, reminder email follow-ups—to continue the discussion begun at the conference, so that the ideas and action items we capture in Chicago won’t dissipate when we return to our offices. The idea is that people will come to generate, exchange and refine ideas about transforming their practices, and then will STAY IN TOUCH to help one another follow through the execution stage.   

We're keeping the fee low -- just enough to cover food and the room rental; something under $200.  We’re issuing invitations now, and it looks like it'll be a pretty thought-provoking group of folks at the table.  If you know somebody who should be part of this conversation, or want to join us yourself, email Matt Homann at homann@gmail.com.   (Or of course, email me.)

The "official" announcement about this is posted here.