Derrick Kaufmann is a prominent South African lawyer, currently serving as the Co-Managing Partner for Africa and the Head of the Corporate and Commercial Department at Andersen in South Africa.

With extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions, Kaufmann has developed a strong reputation in transactional law, international trade, and cross-border transactions. He holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Economic Law from the University of South Africa and has a robust educational background that includes a Bachelor of Commerce and an LLB.

His career spans various leadership positions, including his role as an Executive Director at First Republic Capital and as a founding partner at Kampel Kaufmann Inc. Kaufmann's contributions to the legal field have been recognised with accolades such as being named among the Best Lawyers in 2022, underscoring his influence and expertise in corporate law within the region

A MUST listen for every Attorney in the world who cares about their career, their firm, and their future.

In this eye-opening episode, Legal Industry Analyst Jordan Furlong reveals how law firms can thrive in a tech-driven future by restructuring their business models and embracing AI, challenging the outdated billable hour system. Discover why the key to success lies in valuing client relationships and enhancing productivity through innovative approaches rather than merely adding more lawyers.

Full video episode available on youtube.com/legalunicorns and globallegalmarket.substack.com

We spend close to an hour discussing the following:

00:00 Intro to Jordan

03:20 We are already in the future

04:15 Every law firm can restructure to maximise their growth and revenues

05:30 The unit of lawyer

06:20 Understanding growth, the 3 dimensions of growth

07:20 Add capacity, not just more lawyers

08:50 The only recruiter in the world that says you don’t need to hire

10:10 The rise of AI Agents

12:05 Significantly increase productivity through tech

13:00 Law firms need to stop measuring hours

13:55 How are we best servicing our clients?

15:15 Some lawyers just can’t see past the billable hour

16:50 Uncertainty of value for the client has to stop

17:50 Productivity measurement is coming to law, whether they like it or not!

19:00 Selling the experience

20:00 Price the relationship

22:10 You are a business consultant

23:05 What does it mean to the client to lose time?

24:10 Billing by the hour undervalues your work

25:05 The lawyer will have to share the risk in the future

26:20 Jordan’s article

28:15 The value of communication, empathy, capacity, and productive = success

29:00 What do we tell law students?

31:00 In-House tech adoption is different across the world

33:00 AI is affordable…and incredibly necessary to all lawyers

36:00 The org chart, for a law firm of the future, is the Reverse Pyramid

37:00 The gig economy/fractional working impact on law firms and legal teams

Check out www.umbiie.com

38:30 The old leveraging model is dying

41:00 The most valuable skill is building relationships with clients

43:00 AI will be the new Trainer

43:30 You only need 5 clients - Check out www.umbiie.com

47:00 Final thoughts for Africa’s legal leaders and business owners

49:20 I am a catalyst for growth, for everyone

50:20 Catalyst for productivity

52:10 Thank you Jordan

Exclusively available to our SubStack members. Legal Unicorns now has over 250k views and downloads in the last 40 episodes.

This time, Botswana is back in Focus.

So delighted that Rati Murwisi can join me, she’s fun, committed, engaging and really helping to shape legal services

From GRM

• One On One, Tailored, Career Coaching - https://mylegalcareer.podia.com/one-on-one-career-planning-global-legal-industry
• Take Control Of Your Legal Career - www.umbiie.com
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