I have to agree with Lee, in context of the original question (at the very least). I, too, was a consultant to law firms and legal departments, however I have found that being the firm's practitioner is a different experience. If someone with a background in academia were to be dropped into a law firm environment, they would find themselves in a very different, and probably very frustrating world. As Lee mentions, there is specialized jargon, peer groups, educational opportunities, software, etc., and for a good reason.
Law firms approach records management very differently than academia. To be successful you need to understand the unique drivers that contribute to the strategic and operational goals of a law firm, knowing how to "sell" RM initiatives in an environment that places value in client service (and billing for it!) more so than compliance or productivity (hate to say it!). Understanding what the rules of professional conduct are, and how they shape all things that lawyers do. Law firms do not have the luxury/curse of being highly regulated which allows for a high degree of customization and flexibility, and successfully assimilating RM into the culture is key when getting buy-in and participation. Not only is law firm culture very different than academia, it can be quite dramatically different from firm to firm - but it is always a force to be reckoned with.
The way law firms organize, manage and dispose of records is very different. Navigating the very murky waters of client file ownership, ethics opinions, etc. is not something someone in academia will have had to struggle with.
All of that being said, I totally agree with Lee that someone with solid RM skills and the desire and interest to practice RM in a law firm can get a job with a firm and find success. However knowing legal jargon, the differences in types of law practice and how they impact RM (e.g. litigation vs. transactional) will be important, but can be learned on the job in the right firm. And if the individual is considering applying for a RM job that also includes responsibility for Conflicts, there is even more specialized knowledge to gain.
If someone is interested in learning more about law firm RM, I highly recommend the book Lee suggested (and co-wrote). It is a comprehensive treatise on the practice of RM in law firms, and does a fantastic job at making the concepts accessible to all audiences. The PLL list serv is also helpful, however it is not as active as this list. I also recommend you introduce yourself to a few local law firm RMs and ask them what they like/dislike about their jobs. If you are planning to attend the ARMA conference, it would be great if you could attend at least one day of the Legal Pre-Conference.
To summarize, there are many KSAs that will transfer and provide a good foundation - but it will only be a foundation. There will be much more to learn.
G'night all,
Julie
________________________________
From: Records Management Program on behalf of Robert L. Bailey
Sent: Wed 6/28/2006 8:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [RM] Law firm records management
I have worked in a Law Firms for over 10 years and have consulted with over
15 different domestic and international law firms. I stand by my original
comment..
rlb
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nemchek, Lee R." <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 5:11 PM
Subject: Re: [RM] Law firm records management
> Pardon me, Dr. Bailey, but I strongly beg to differ. Yes, there are
> software vendors that specialize in unique ARM systems for legal
> environments, but that's only the tip of the iceberg, as anybody who has
> worked in or for law firms for any length of time will attest. Legal
> records managers have their own ISG within ARMA and our own annual
> educational mini-conference; we have our own listerv (subscribe at
> http://share.aallnet.org/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=pll-legalrec-sis
> ); our own local, grassroots networking groups; our own professional
> jargon; and the discipline has its own authoritative textbook
> (http://www.arma.org/bookstore/productdetail.cfm?ProductID=1389). Legal
> records management is about as distinct and idiosyncratic as you can get
> in this field. Notwithstanding the above and getting back to the
> original question below, this doesn't mean that an individual with a
> solid, general/corporate records management background can't obtain a
> position in a law firm and eventually do very well. We all have to
> start somewhere, after all. However, it would be a big mistake to
> believe that the transition will be "seamless!"
>
> --Lee
>
> Lee R. Nemchek
> Information Resources Manager
> Morrison & Foerster LLP
> (213) 892-5359 phone
> (323) 210-1237 fax
> [log in to unmask]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Robert L. Bailey
> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 4:19 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [RM] Law firm records management
>
> Nothing is really different, they use unique software like Legal Key,
> they
> are very sensitive relating to conflict of interest and of course you
> would
> be working for a lawyer???? Also the pay can be low, 50-70,000. Try to
> get
> experience with a firm with the idea of moving to a larger firm, bigger
> city
> or regional responsibility, then you have more say, more freedom and
> higher
> pay. Network with other firms and employees ASAP so that you understand
> what
> is available. Also think of a firm that has international clients,
> more
> interesting.
>
> Dr. Robert L. Bailey
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 3:29 PM
> Subject: [RM] Law firm records management
>
> My question regards law firms: I notice there are many postings for law
> firm records management. What RM concerns are unique to law firms? Would
> the skills I have already transfer seamlessly? Or do you need a legal
> background to know the ins and outs of these records? Also, if anyone
> can suggest online resources I might refer to regarding records
> management in law
> firms it would be much appreciated.
>
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