It’s time to discuss the elephant in the room for many law firm pro bono programs – Succession Management Planning (SMP).
SMP is a continuous process that focuses on ensuring leadership continuity, in part by identifying and cultivating talent from within the firm to guarantee a smooth transition from one leader to the next. Thinking about the sudden or planned departure of pro bono leaders is neither easy nor comfortable and as a result, SMP, understandably, often takes a backseat on law firms’ pro bono “to-do lists.” However, it is important that firms create clear succession management plans so that their pro bono programs are not vulnerable during periods of change.
The Law Firm Pro Bono Project is pleased to announce the release of a new toolkit, Planning for the Future: Law Firm Pro Bono Succession Management, designed to help firms jumpstart their planning process. Among other things, the publication offers sample strategies, models, timelines, and checklists for different departure scenarios and provides customizable job descriptions and competencies to assist with your planning and pro bono leadership transition. Get started today, eliminate guilty regrets, and enjoy the peace of mind that Succession Management Planning provides.
Visit our Resource Clearinghouse to download the publication, which is free for Law Firm Project Members and available to all others for purchase. (If you are new to the Resource Clearinghouse, please contact Eva Richardson to register.)
Does your firm have a succession management plan in place? Has your pro bono program recently undergone a leadership transition? Let us know!