Law Times - Newsmakers

top newsmakers Headon makes waves as CBA's new president of potential solutions, including different billing methods, greater use of paralegals, regulatory changes, outsourcing, and online services. When Canadian Lawyer's annual legal fees survey revealed a continued increase in the number of firms planning to freeze their rates, Headon unflinchingly responded that they might need to cut the fees of more junior lawyers in order to better reflect the actual value of their work. But that would be "only the first step" in a series of vital transformations, he said. "Clients aren't just asking for a cheaper cost but will ask for new practices, for example, involving non-lawyer professionals or automated work," he said. "They're recognizing that not everything has to be done by a lawyer." The bilingual McGill University Faculty of Law graduate believes the challenges can be overcome and uses typically colourful language to demonstrate his faith in the profession. In the August issue of Canadian Lawyer, Headon wrote: "In By Charlotte Santry the latest Superman movie, when all In August 2013, Fred Headon became the around him is loud, explosive chaos, first in-house lawyer to serve as president a quiet secondary character saves of the Canadian Bar Association. the world when he shifts something His presidency comes at a challenging by a few inches. time for the legal profession when clients "That's not to suggest all in the are more cost-conscious than ever and legal profession is currently chaos. people are questioning the commercial What it does suggest is you don't viability of traditional legal models. need to have super powers to make "Looking forward to the challenge!" a big difference. What it takes is an Headon tweeted on Aug. 16 as he assumed ability to focus, despite the noise, on the new role. the crux of the problem. In the case The assistant general counsel with Air of the legal profession, the crux is Canada had already been chairing the how to better serve the client." CBA's steering committee for the Legal Closely overlapping with the Futures initiative, a comprehensive study Legal Futures initiative is the CBA's and discussion on the state of the industry. Envisioning Equal Justice effort, a In June, the CBA released a report as project looking at the legal needs of part of the Legal Futures effort that set less affluent communities in Canada. out the economic factors, technological Fred Headon has brought enthusiasm to the job Without providing access to a fair changes, and client demands forcing the of CBA president. and effective legal system, people will profession to rethink traditional mindsets. find other ways to resolve disputes, At a briefing on the report's release, Headon noted: "There are leaving both society and lawyers worse off, Headon has argued. not only better ways to serve the client but more clients to be had." Lawyers don't have to become poorer to achieve these aims, It's fair to say Headon has given a new sense of urgency to according to the native Winnipegger. But they must open their the Legal Futures initiative. An engaging orator, he peppers his eyes and minds to the way in which the legal industry is evolving speeches with references to iconic musicians like David Bowie both in Canada and internationally. and Leonard Cohen, leaving the industry with no doubt it needs The Legal Futures initiative, which kicked off in August 2012, to undergo major changes. is now in its consultation phase. The CBA is inviting lawyers to "Lead the change or be forced to follow," he has told the profesgive their opinions on ethics and regulatory issues; education and sion. "Change is happening. It may not be happening everywhere training; and business structures and innovation. at once and it may not affect everyone to the same degree, but to The eventual aim is to nail down firmer answers to the big ignore it could very well be folly." questions facing the profession through a mixture of original By comparing the legal industry to struggling firms like research and the perspectives of lawyers themselves and provide Kodak, Headon emphasizes there's no room for nostalgia. Lawrecommendations, tips, and tools. yers, he says, will ignore the changes affecting their profession While change can be very disruptive for lawyers, Headon said at their peril. in June there's "plenty of opportunity if we come to it with a sense Alongside this difficult message, he puts forward a gamut of confidence and not of fear." Fred Headon has been talking a lot about the need to adapt to change 4 December 2013

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