1. Diversity Among Leaders: A Long Way To Go
By Sandy Lechtick
The Daily Journal
March 17, 2010
LOS ANGELES - About 19 years ago, a partner who was thinking of moving her practice called me requesting a meeting. Over lunch and after the pleasantries, she said "Sandy, I want you to know something, I am a lesbian. I tell you this because I don't hide my sexuality and most law firms are uncomfortable with this." We had a good productive meeting. As we departed, she gave me a firm handshake and said, "You'll really have to do your homework."
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2. Competing for a Piece of the Pie in 2010
By Sandy Lechtick
The Daily Journal
March 3, 2010
LOS ANGELES - Wei-Chi loosely translated from a Chinese symbol: Opportunity and Danger. Two doors, two different outcomes. The stronger firms will get stronger, the weaker firms will struggle and competition for pieces of the pie will be as fierce as ever.
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3. A Shifting Paradigm
By Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal
July 20, 2009
LOS ANGELES - As I was watching a speedboat zip across the crystal clear Cabo San Lucas harbor, in the distance was a huge ocean liner slowing slugging its way into view. By the time it reached port, the speedboat was long, long gone. Thinking about the present state of affairs in Law Firm America, it occurred to me that many law firms – especially larger ones continue to move like tankers and fail to realize that much of what is happening today will be deeper and longer lasting then many realize.
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4. Only Those Who Master the Art of the Hustle Will Survive
By Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal
Mar. 16, 2009
LOS ANGELES - If one eye is king in the land of blind, the hustler is clearly king.
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5. Will Law Firms Be on Cloud '09?
By Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal
Jan. 12, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Fasten your seat belts. This year is going to be another bumpy, rocky ride. While it's not likely there will be any major seismic shocks on the scale of Heller Ehrman and Thelen Reid implosions -- what is certain is that 2009 will be another turbulent, and extremely fluid California legal market.
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6. The War on Talent
By Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal
Nov. 18, 2007
The fight for talent is more intense and more ferocious than I've seen in the last 20 years.
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7. Tripwire
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal, Extra Edition
December 27, 2004
Clifford Chance is the world’s largest law firm. It has 29 offices in 19 countries. It has 3,700 attorneys. It has million-dollar partner profits. It has some of the bluest of the world’s blue chip clients. It has a major U.S. strategy. And it has major California ambitions.

It is a major California Failure.
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8. On a Tightrope
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal, Extra Edition
December 29, 2003
The Daily Journal selected Mr. Lechtick as the legal recruiter to write a year-end wrap-up for 2003 and look at important issues and market trends for 2004. In this article, Mr. Lechtick notes the demise or merger of formerly major firms such as McCutchen, Doyle; Riordan & McKenzie; Lyon & Lyon; Arter & Hadden and Pennie & Edmonds.
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9. Trading Spaces
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal, Extra Edition
January 13, 2003
Law firms that respond quickly and decisively to the changing legal landscape will avoid many of the mistakes their competitors made in 2002. In this "Law Firm Management" article, Mr. Lechtick focuses on five key challenges law firms face.
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10. The Real Reason Partners Change Firms
The Ten Inertia Busters
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal
February 2002
In this provocative article, Mr. Lechtick dispels some of the myths concerning partner movement. Where compensation is generally assumed to be the engine for job changes, several other issues are explored which include: Practice squeeze-out; Billing rate pressure; Conflicts; Ratcheting of the practice; Law firm "trade up;" Business development; Slab of beef syndrome; Bigger fish in smaller pond; Synergy and Compensation.
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11. Adapt or Die
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
California Law Business
January 8, 1996
Law firms are finding that they must conform to new economic realities. This article geared toward law firm leaders, addresses the changing business climate; specific firms that merged, de-merged, splintered or acquired groups; dynamics impacting the changing legal landscape; and key business issues facing partners at all levels.
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12. Pay Raze
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
California Law Business
September 14, 1998
The wild disparity in partner compensation at the various California firms having unintended consequences. This article explores what partners should look for in moving their practices to another firm or negotiating compensation and other issues at present firm. Book of business, knowing what you’re worth commensurate compensation at other firms and other issues are examined.
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13. Manifest Destiny
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
Los Angeles Business Journal
July 30, 2001
Southern California Has Become The Place For Branch Offices.  Selected by the Los Angeles Business Journal editors, this article examines which large mega firms are coming to California, what this all means and who will be the winners and losers. Lechtick explores ramifications of the changes and how it will further impact the economy and law firms in the State.
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14. The Art of the Hustle
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
California Law Business
January 12, 1998
In the next millennium, law firms will have to reach beyond merely doing good work. Lawyers with initiative will prevail.  This article discusses why law firms, even the mightiest have had to get back to basics. Lechtick highlights eight key components that managing partners and members of their firm should look at increasing profits, expanding the client base, deepening client relationships.
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15. So What's in a Title?
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal
June, 2001
Titles are not what they used to be, nor are the responsibilities associated with titles, the same at various firms. In fact, there are significant differences at various firms. In this article geared toward partners, (also relevant to partner-bound associates), Mr. Lechtick addresses the "Of Counsel" question, income vs. equity partner status, plusses and minuses for ownership as well as key questions to address before moving from one firm to another.
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16. It’s Just the Money Myth
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
California Law Business
November 4, 1996
Lawyers don’t leave law firms to chase higher salaries, contrary to popular opinion. They’re chasing quality of life.  In this Closing Argument article, Lechtick looks closely at the quality of life vs. money arguments - the three phases of a lawyer’s life, changes in motivations, those in the "in-crowd" vs. "out-crowd", impact of leadership, culture, touchy-feely and emotional issues.
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17. A ’99 Forecast
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
California Law Business
December 14, 1998
Law firms looking for success next year had better learn the lessons of 1998.  While the article was written in 1998, and predictions made for 1999, the premises are universal and especially relevant for 2001-2002. The seven themes include: Talent acquisition, leadership, passing the torch; women leaders, mergers & acquisitions, sex appeal, courtship and seduction.
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18. How to Interview
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
California Law Business
October 16, 2000
Just because an attorney went to a prestigious law school doesn’t mean that he or she will be hired. Written with the partner in mind - especially the attorney who has been at the same firm for a number of years or has never had to master "Interviewing Basics 101." In this article, Lechtick exposes the two myths - book of business and pedigree, and examines the importance of understanding the various firm cultures, determining "style" of the firm as well as how to tackle the three job hunting stages - pre-interview, interview and post-interview.
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19. Surf’s Up: Riding Compensation Title Wave
By: Sandford A. Lechtick
The Daily Journal
September, 1999
With the increase in associate compensation, Lechtick elaborates on the precept that salary increases come with a price and smart associates should understand how to position themselves effectively.
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