Mintz Levin's Robert I. Bodian Honored as One of America's Ten Most Innovative Managing Partners by Law360
6/15/2010
Recognized for Focus on Top Line Revenue Growth, Enhanced Communication and Integration, and Smart Decision-Making
New York, NY – Singled out for his hands-on approach to top line growth, breaking new ground with attorney communication and integration, and making smart decisions with a long-term view, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.'s Robert I. Bodian has been named one of the ten most innovative Managing Partners in America by Law360, a leading legal trade publication published by Portfolio Media. A profile of Mr. Bodian appears in the June 15, 2010 issue.
As the first Managing Member (partner) in the firm's 77-year history to be based outside of Boston, Mr. Bodian's election last year highlights the firm's increased national focus and entrepreneurial culture – both of which have enabled the experienced New York litigator to apply a fresh approach to business development and client service and make strategic decisions that have produced quick results and set the stage for long-term success.
"I'd rather spend my time and effort and money doing things that are more geared toward positive results, than spend a lot of my time and effort on cutting things," he is quoted in the Law360 profile as saying.
Described by colleagues as possessing the legal skill that "enables him to command respect as a managing partner," Mr. Bodian has deftly bucked the hard-lined cost-cutting trend of most firms, opting instead to focus on top line revenue – and the future – by making "short-term adjustments for long-term prosperity" and employing a very personal, hands-on approach to business development and client service as well as giving attorneys the tools they need to succeed.
The innovative efforts cited by Law360 include:
- In an economy that sent other big-league firms scrambling to cut costs, Mr. Bodian has ramped up spending in key areas by instituting a 25 percent increase to the overall marketing budget in addition to revamping the firm's business development structure by hiring a team of non-attorney business development managers to support attorneys and their practice areas.
- Described by clients as having "an ease" and "confidence" that has been key to resolving legal matters, he recognizes the importance of spending time with clients face-to-face and has spent at least 70 percent of his time meeting with clients, demonstrating the firm's commitment to them.
- He has also made smart decisions to save money in the short-term, including seizing the opportunity to use the soft real estate market to renegotiate long-term leases for the firm's New York and Washington offices – boosting the firm's bottom line.
- Understanding the importance of effective internal communications, he has "broken new ground" to keep associates and partners informed. This has included conceiving a new firm-wide newsletter and streamlining the lateral partner integration process. He has also engaged attorneys in the decision-making process. For example, when the firm rolled back associate salaries to avoid terminations, he actively sought their feedback, kept them informed and assured them that salaries would be restored, which, to his word, happened within days of closing out the firm's fiscal year budget.
- He has also revamped the associate review process, making it much more informative and effective. The new process, which relies on written responses from members rather than a number-based system, provides associates with much more constructive feedback, enhancing their development.
In addition to serving as the firm's Managing Member, Mr. Bodian is head of the New York Litigation Section and a member of the firm's Policy Committee. Having successfully tried numerous jury and non-jury trials in federal and state courts, he has extensive experience in the areas of employment and commercial disputes, private equity, financial services, insurance, securities, real estate and banking, providing counsel to a broad range of domestic and foreign clients. In recognition of his professional achievements, he has been named a 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 New York Super Lawyer in The New York Times.
Click here to view the full article from Law360.
