In this episode of Reimagining Law, we talk to Ken Koehn, Chief Financial Officer at Gould & Ratner LLP and President of the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). Ken discusses how law firms can maintain their corporate culture during COVID-19, why strong leadership is more important than ever, and how firms can nurture success in their attorneys.
Timestamps
1:04 – How has the virtual work environment impacted the team culture at Gould & Ratner and law firms across the nation?
2:03 – Now that most employees are virtual, how can firms continue to connect with their staff and instill a positive culture?
3:13 – Why is strong organizational leadership more important than ever?
4:06 – How can leadership be developed in a virtual environment?
5:15 – How are firms nurturing employee success, especially in their newer attorneys?
6:27 – What should law firms be doing to better support their attorneys and staff?
7:20 – How is the ALA supporting law firms during this time?
Related Reading
- Cultivating Corporate Culture During COVID-19
- Prioritize Professional Development with Virtual Mentoring
- Professionalism Tips for Responding to a Crisis
Ken Koehn
As Chief Financial Officer of Gould & Ratner, Ken Koehn has two top priorities: provide strategic counsel to the firm’s management committee and direct the firm’s daily accounting and financial activities. Ken and his team further ensure the firm’s success and growth by providing a variety of financial reporting and analytics, as well as facilitating efficient billing and collection processes that drive client satisfaction and retention.
Ken’s experience includes over 25 years in senior financial executive positions for Chicago law firms such as Vedder Price and Much Shelist, as well as other firms in the professional services and trading industries such as Jump Trading, Sun Trading, and Valuemetrics.
Ken earned a BBA in accounting from the University of Notre Dame. He is a Certified Legal Manager, a Certified Public Accountant with a CGMA designation, and a Certified Management Accountant.
An active member of the Association of Legal Administrators, Ken is currently President of the group’s Chicago Chapter. At the national level, Ken is the Chair of the CLM Certification Committee and a member of the Association Nominating Committee. He is also a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Institute of Management Accountants, and the Illinois CPA Society.
Connect with the ALA
Twitter: @ALA_Chicago
Facebook: facebook.com/alachicago
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/alachicago
About Reimagining Law
The Reimagining Law video series explores how legal and judicial professionals are adapting the delivery of services to meet the unique needs of today’s consumers. Reimagining Law is produced by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. This episode was recorded on September 18, 2020.