THE 8TH ANNUAL COO & CFO FORUM STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN A SHIFTING DEMAND ENVIRONMENT

Transcription

1 The Hildebrandt Institute and West LegalEdcenter present THE 8TH ANNUAL COO & CFO FORUM STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN A SHIFTING DEMAND ENVIRONMENT OCTOBER 22-23, 2009 THE WESTIN NEW YORK AT TIMES SQUARE NEW YORK, NEW YORK * DON T MISS THESE TOPICS + Current state of the legal market + Is the recession a game-changer? + New ways to look at fees + Maximizing your firm s balance sheet + Hear what clients expect from firms now + And more

2 LEARN MISSION-CRITICAL STRATEGIES TO MOVE YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD In today s economy, even the most respected law firms face challenges to profitability and survival. From recruiting and compensation strategies to billing practices, traditional law firm models are increasingly under attack. Is the recession permanently changing the way law firms practice? How can law firms succeed amid the turbulence? What are the secrets of successful law firms? Spend two days focusing on these and other pressing issues at the 8th Annual COO & CFO Forum, a must-attend event for anyone involved in managing firm operations and financial performance. Don t miss this unique opportunity to learn from law firm and industry leaders and network with your peers as you look closely at today s practices and discuss practical solutions to meet the future head-on. GET ANSWERS, TOOLS, AND INSPIRATION Focus on #1 issues for law firm COO s and CFO s. Network with peers and respected law firm leaders. Go beyond the what now? to the how to. * REGISTER TODAY westlegaledcenter.com * NETWORK WITH THE BEST LAW FIRM LEADERS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS FIRM ADMINISTRATORS MANAGING DIRECTORS MANAGING PARTNERS DIRECTORS OF FINANCE Leave with actionable steps to improve your firm s financial position.

3 PROGRAM CONTENT CREATED BY DISTINGUISHED LEADERS IN THE LEGAL INDUSTRY EVENT CO-CHAIRS JAMES W. JONES Managing Director, Hildebrandt and Chairman, The Hildebrandt Institute James Jones joined Hildebrandt after more than 30 years as a law firm leader, a practicing lawyer, and a general counsel. Mr. Jones is a frequent speaker and author on topics relating to ancillary businesses, globalization, ethics, strategy and partnership issues. He is the author of Beyond Legal Practice: Organizing and Managing Ancillary Businesses, published by the Hildebrandt Institute, and is based in Hildebrandt s Washington, D.C., office. DANILO (Dan) DIPIETRO Managing Director & Advisory Head, Law Firm Group, Citi Private Bank Danilo DiPietro has been a student of the legal industry for over 25 years. He regularly meets with law firm leaders to discuss industry trends and their firms performance vs. peers. A frequent speaker at industry and law firm events, Mr. DiPietro has been published in numerous legal industry periodicals, including regular articles in The American Lawyer. He is a visiting professor at Harvard Law School and an adjunct professor at The George Washington University. CAROL SAWDYE Chief Operating Officer, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Carol Sawdye is COO of one of the world s largest law firms, with approximately 2,000 attorneys and offices worldwide. Formerly a partner in the Entertainment & Media Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), Ms. Sawdye spent the previous 17 years with PwC. Ms. Sawdye is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Beta Gamma Sigma. CONFERENCE ADVISORY BOARD James W. Jones, Managing Director, Hildebrandt and Chairman, The Hildebrandt Institute Danilo (Dan) DiPietro, Managing Director & Advisory Head, Law Firm Group, Citi Private Bank Norma Edmiston, Chief Financial Officer, WilmerHale LLP Mark Hanson, Executive Director, Irell & Manella LLP Patrick Hennessy, Chief Financial Officer, Howrey LLP Robert Howard, Chief Financial Officer, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP Sally King, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Clifford Chance US LLP Anthony Licata, Chief Financial Officer, Dechert LLP Noah J. Puntus, Chief Financial Officer, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Carol Sawdye, Chief Operating Officer, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Lucinda J. Tambourine (Cindy), Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor, Citi Private Bank Nicholas J. Willmott, Chief Financial Officer, Kirkland & Ellis LLP KEYNOTE: ALAN WEBBER, CO-FOUNDER OF FAST COMPANY This conference is known for featuring innovative business leaders as keynote speakers, and this year s event is no exception. Alan Webber, award-winning editor, author, and columnist, is co-founder of Fast Company and the author of Rules of Thumb: 52 Truths for Winning at Business Without Losing Your Self.

4 TWO DAYS OF POWERFUL SESSIONS THURSDAY AGENDA [ OCTOBER 22, 2009 ] FRIDAY AGENDA [ OCTOBER 23, 2009 ] 9-9:15 AM Opening Remarks 9:15-10:30 AM Keynote Address Alan Webber, co-founder of Fast Company and a highly regarded business journalist, will deliver insights and wisdom that inform and inspire in a changing economy. 10:30-11 AM Break 11 AM - 12:30 PM Current State of the Legal Market After years of unprecedented law firm growth, the past year has brought an equally unprecedented economic downturn. A panel of experienced observers of the legal market will discuss: The impact of the recession on law firms and their clients How firms manage expenses Whether recent events will permanently change the business of law Likely scenarios going forward MODERATORS Danilo (Dan) DiPietro, Managing Director & Advisory Head, Law Firm Group, Citi Private Bank Bradford W. Hildebrandt, Chairman, Hildebrandt Mark Hanson, Executive Director, Irell & Manella LLP Michael Hirsch, Simpson & Thatcher LLP (Invited) Carol Sawdye, Chief Operating Officer, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 12:30-1:30 PM Networking Lunch 1:30-3 PM Is the Recession a Game-Changer for Associate Management? Will the current economic crisis create a seismic shift in talent management, or is it business as usual once the economy picks up? What do these changes mean for the firm s bottom line? A panel of law school, law firm, and talent experts will look at Associate Management from potential changes in the recruiting process to compensation models and performance metrics already in place at some leading law firms. Carol Clayton, Assistant Managing Partner, WilmerHale LLP Laura Saklad, Chief Lawyer Development Officer, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP 3-4 PM Client Panel: Lower Demand with Higher Expectations? In the latter part of 2008, the Association of Corporate Counsel launched a timely, and potentially revolutionary project to help clients and law firms re-connect the cost of legal services to their value, and re-align their business models. A top-tier client panel of corporate CLO s and leaders will discuss this Value Challenge, and offer straight talk and creative ideas for structuring partnerships between law firms and their clients. 4-4:30 PM Break 4:30-5:30 PM Alternative Fee Structures: From Theory to Practice Even a modest shift to alternate pricing models will radically affect how law firms do business. An expert panel, including representatives from law firm litigation and transactional practice groups, will explore innovative, more efficient ways to deliver legal services. The discussion will go beyond theories of project management, and is intended to be a how-to primer on making alternative fee structures attractive and profitable. SPEAKERS Greg Jordan, Global Managing Partner, Reed Smith LLP (Invited) Reed Oslan, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP 5:30-6:30 PM Reception 9-10:30 AM Managing and Maximizing the Firm s Balance Sheet It s not just a large firm issue. In times like these, everyone needs to be interested in the safety of cash and strategies around distributing capital. What is adequate capitalization for a law firm? Are changes to capital structure necessary? The panel will discuss the financial position of firms, how they deal with treasury, working capital, how cash is distributed to partners, debt versus capital, and using debt to your advantage. MODERATOR Lucinda J. Tambourine (Cindy), Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor, Citi Private Bank Janet Campion, Chief Financial Officer, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (Invited) Mike Denkensohn, Executive Director, Seward & Kissel LLP Scot J. Farrell, Chief Operating Officer, Winston & Strawn LLP 10:30-11 AM Break 11 AM - 12:30 PM What Keeps You Up at Night? A popular session at our 2008 forum, this rapid-fire discussion examines ideas and issues facing law firm leaders like you. Get answers to your questions, submitted in advance, from our expert panel. MODERATOR James W. Jones, Managing Director, Hildebrandt and Chairman, The Hildebrandt Institute Norma Edmiston, Chief Financial Officer, WilmerHale LLP Mark Hanson, Executive Director, Irell & Manella LLP Anthony Licata, Chief Financial Officer, Dechert LLP Noah J. Puntus, Chief Financial Officer, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

5 RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW PROGRAM LOCATION THE WESTIN NEW YORK AT TIMES SQUARE 270 West 43rd Street at Eighth Avenue New York, New York For hotel reservations, call: GROUP DISCOUNT Contact the hotel directly at and ask to be connected to Reservations. Be sure to reference Hildebrandt COO/CFO Forum when making your guest room reservation, prior to the cut-off date of Tuesday, September 22, 2009, to obtain the group rate of $329/night plus taxes. Rooms are subject to availability. REGISTRATION The registration fee includes the conference, luncheon, reception, and course materials. All payments must be received prior to the start of the conference. FEE $1,495* Non-Law Firm and Non-Corporate Law Department: $5,000* * Tax not included in event price CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES No cancellations permitted less than two weeks prior to the start of the conference. The Westin New York at Times Square Midtown Manhattan's most sophisticated presence is a distinctive 45-story landmark hotel designed for contemporary travelers and first-class meetings. Located in the heart of Broadway, within walking distance of world-famous retail, dining and entertainment, this breathtaking 863-room luxury hotel features Heavenly Beds and Heavenly Baths, upscale amenities, personal service, WestinWORKOUT Gym, a world-class spa, and 34,000 sq. ft. of function space. For details, visit westinny.com. * REGISTER TODAY westlegaledcenter.com PLATINUM SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS

6 WEST 610 Opperman Drive Eagan, MN First name and Last name 0000 Street address City, State and Zip The Hildebrandt Institute and West LegalEdcenter present THE 8TH ANNUAL COO & CFO FORUM STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN A SHIFTING DEMAND ENVIRONMENT Hear expert perspectives on your #1 concerns Current state of the legal market Creative ways to partner with clients Making alternative pricing profitable Issues that keep you up at night * REGISTER TODAY westlegaledcenter.com 2009 Thomson Reuters 8-09