ABA book uses graphic novel storytelling to teach lean management methods

Lawyer Carson Wright is the hero of the narrative graphic novel featured in the American Bar Association’s new book on business processes, “The Lean Law Firm: Run Your Firm Like the World’s Most Efficient and Profitable Businesses.” This innovative book brings alive process, marketing and financial advice by telling Carson’s story as he works to save his small law firm using “lean” techniques.

Authors Dave Maxfield and Larry Port show how problems faced by law firms are not unique, but in fact are the same challenges faced by all businesses on their road to profitability. While other kinds of business have forged ahead with new techniques, law firm management has lagged far behind, until now.

Law firms, by adapting the same science of lean management that companies like Toyota pioneered over decades, can become far more efficient – and profitable. As Port writes, “Lean lawyers believe in measurement, reducing waste and producing as much value as they can for their clients.”

“The Lean Law Firm” puts into the readers’ hands everything they need to become lean and embark on their own transformation. 

The website leanlawfirmbook.com contains valuable business tools and the authors’ new podcast, titled The Lean Law Firm Blog and Podcast.

Maxfield has represented thousands of individual consumers in cases against banks, credit reporting agencies and insurance companies for nearly 25 years.  He is the past president of the Richland County (S.C.) Bar Association, and a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. Maxfield has taught nearly 100 continuing legal education programs, and is a frequent speaker at the ABA TECHSHOW.  Passionate about technology, he trains lawyers and law students on its use frequently. Articles by and about Maxfield have appeared in South Carolina Lawyer Magazine, ABA Journal and Lawyer’s Weekly.

Port has worked with thousands of law firms worldwide since 2007 when he started the first cloud-based legal practice management software company, Rocket Matter. In his role as founder and CEO of Rocket Matter, Port has become a speaker and award-winning writer at the crossroads of attorney wellness, the legal profession, cutting-edge technology and law firm marketing. He writes extensively for legal publications, including Law Technology News, Law Practice Today, ILTA Peer to Peer, FindLaw, Chicago Lawyer and Legal Productivity blog.