What I do

I offer board-level support to firms looking to grow, develop and improve their legal business.

Practice Reviews

Law firms regularly engage me to undertake a review of their operations, often in preparation for a retreat in order to help them to plan. Often a review is tied in with a retreat. Such a review typically involves: 

  • Analysis of the firm’s latest financial accounts 

  • A survey of the firm’s Partners 

  • A survey of the firm’s team 

  • Face-to-face interviews with partners 

  • Preparation and presentation of report 

Load Reviews Here
An absolute treasure
An absolute treasure

“Simon has been an absolute treasure in assisting us in our Retreat. His comments and incisive direction on some important issues have left everyone in our firm feeling that this has been our best retreat. Many thanks.”

– Barry Berger, Partner, Berger Kordos, Melbourne, Australia

 

facilitation

I am regularly invited to facilitate firm retreats, forums, strategy days and get-togethers - events at which firms have the opportunity to step back from their day-to-day work and to come together to focus on how best to improve their business. Each retreat is customised to meet individual requirements and can involve some or all of the following: 

  • Conducting pre-retreat research; this can include a practice review and pre-retreat data collection 

  • Providing pre-retreat reading; this can include my review, reports, articles and books of relevance 

  • Programme planning – everything from venue to agenda 

  • Sourcing external speakers 

  • Facilitation of discussions 

Load Reviews Here
Personable and inspiring
Personable and inspiring

"Our firm recently partnered with Simon Tupman to guide us through the firm's strategic planning week-end. His approach was personable and inspiring and his is very easy to communicate with. His preparation of gathering valuable information from the partnership and our business prior to the week-end ensured everyone was well prepared for a busy and rewarding few days. We were not disappointed; this was probably the best planning week-end we have had. His style and common-sense thinking approach to the partnership and our business has provided fresh thinking and enthusiasm to us all to make some necessary changes."

- Patti Wolfsbauer, Practice Manager, Connect Legal, New Zealand

What a difference
What a difference

“This was the first time that we had used an outside facilitator for our annual retreat and what a difference it made…We highly recommend Simon’s consultancy if you want to take your business to the next level.”
- Susie Barnes, Principal, WCM Legal New Zealand

 

Speaking

I am regularly invited to speak at conferences and events on topics relating to the business of law. Further, I present both public and in house workshops aimed at developing leadership, management and interpersonal skills. This is an opportunity to learn all about leadership, finance, marketing, client relations, business development, culture and communication, - the skills they don't teach at law school!


Workshops
I present customised workshops in-house for law firms on the topics of leadership and business development. Specifically for 2024, I have developed two new workshops; click on the links below to download an overview of the programmes (pdf files):

1. The Leadership Imperative Masterclass is a half-day workshop for senior legal professionals (Partners, soon-to-be-made Partners and Law Firm Executives). The workshop explores the practical application of the four leadership principles outlined in Simon’s book ‘The Heart of Practice’ so that professionals can more confidently lead themselves, their people and their firms.

2. Emerging Leaders is a whole-day workshop for ambitious Senior Associates and Solicitors who wish to accelerate their career progression and become more effective in their roles, both internally and externally. 

Programmes can be delivered either in person (preferred) or via Zoom. Pricing may vary.

Load Reviews Here
richard-susskind-testimonial-simon-tupman-wide.png

“I warmly recommended Simon as a speaker; he did a better than great job – just the right tone and content for the occasion. The clients were delighted.“

- Richard Susskind, OBE, Author, ‘The Future of the Professions’

Brad-MacDonald-testimonial-simon-tupman-wide.png

“Attending Simon’s one day SHIFT programme challenged my way of thinking and helped me gain insights and tools on how to become a more effective and successful leader. I thoroughly recommend Simon’s courses. “

- Brad MacDonald, Partner, Godfreys Law, Christchurch, New Zealand

Grant-Yorkstone-testimonial-simon-tupman-wide.png

“I have had the privilege of attending a number of presentations hosted by Simon. Simon has access to some of top thought leaders in the legal profession which ensures the content of his presentations are not only insightful and practical but relevant to constantly changing challenges the profession is facing. From a leadership perspective there are always a number of significant takeaways to assist moving an organisation forward.”

- Grant Yorkstone, GM, AWS Legal, New Zealand

Advisory

Many legal professionals appreciate the benefit of having an independent sounding board; - someone who will listen, who will interpret a situation independently and who is not afraid to tell some home truths!

To this extent, I am available for discrete consultations as well as offering boards ongoing support as a Non-Executive Director (NED). Having a Non-Executive Director can bring objectivity and independence to management's decision making.

Firms get the benefit of:

  • a leadership mentor

  • a friendly sceptic

  • independent strategic input

  • conflict resolution

Makeovers

Your firm may be at the stage where it is in need of a ‘makeover’- a complete overhaul.

For some projects, this may require specialist intervention, in which case I partner with a range of legal industry specialists to apply the right solution to your situation. We cover most bases, - state-of-the-art graphic design, website creation, automation, financial assessment and advice and counselling.

If you feel your firm is in need of a ‘refresh’ but are not sure where to begin, please do get in touch and let’s explore if and how best we can help you.