Is Business Running the Legal Profession Now? Exploring the Intersection of Corporate Power and Legal Regulation

Today, the relationship between law and business is more intertwined than ever. Law departments are becoming big businesses themselves, corporate giants are increasingly influencing legal regulations, and even technology is shifting the balance. But as corporate power grows in the legal sphere, the question arises: is business now running the legal profession?

"Back In My Day"...The funny thing is the shift was noticed, less than 5 years ago from prior industry practiced standards within the legal realm . There was a quote that I ran across a few week(s) ago that basically sums up the direction of where the legal profession is going now. I can't find the quote at this very moment but the quote basically said, "I don't want a law professional to tell me what I can't do, I want them to tell me what I can do"- Author Unknown . When I saw this it explained what I have been experiencing since I changed career industries.

When I started my career, attorney(s), paralegal(s) along with other departmental legal staff recommendations made a respected difference. This new normal now just wants to close deals, be intentional about not understanding the boundaries between legal and business and want limited redline replies even after you've received several pages of redlines. The expectation is completion by yesterday as you have been within receipt of the request for maybe 10 minutes . Is this realistic you ask? "Please limit your counter(s) redline in reply to, this is a huge client and we do not want them frustrated". Violations of HIPAA and best practices to say the least.

The legal profession is changing drastically. The business is now the law within certain legal disciplines . Is this cause for concern ?

Assembly production line, sounds familiar ? Metrics in lieu of being legally sound is becoming an established practice. Does the business now get to decide as non legal professionals, how legal departments should be governed? In this new era, there is such a rush with no attention to details (you heard this in my youtube video from an actual business), paper pushing and a turned eye to risk that will circle back to bite. When the blame comes down the pipeline, will you be protected or the fall person if litigation becomes of such consequence? Who will protect you? Non legal professionals aka the business in this scenario ? You'd have a few options, fired or corrective actions plot twist, you are on a PIP now as an employee. Curate your CYA plan now!

How to see this coming before you take the job? During the interview process, ask tailored questions that give you direct insight. Ask questions that help you gage mentality, conduct and work culture. A clear understanding of how your profession operates is necessary.

The lines of how people work are blurred these days more than ever. Stay connected to our blogs, we keep you informed and provide you with strategies of how to curate the best outcomes for your career success.