Originating in the IT industry, “agile work structure” currently makes its way into law firms. What was the working situation before the change was introduced? Before we started the project back in 2017, we worked as follows: Lawyers had their own offices while assistants shared a larger room with two or three people. Research assistants and trainees were situated on separate floors. On all desks, there were file folders, signature folders, a telephone, pens and laptops. Lawyers used digital dictation devices, and the assistants had playback devices with foot pedals. Trainees typed their opinions themselves. Client work came in by phone, e-mail or sometimes still by postal mail. An assistant answered the phone call and transferred it to the respective partner. Upon listening to the case, the partner requested documents by e-mail and promised prompt action. Or the work came from the court. Then it arrived by postal mail and the result had to be sent back to the court the same way. Lawyers frequently travelled for 82 LAWYER MONTHLY MARCH 2024 When Lawyers go Agile Lawyer Monthly caught up with Dr. Martin Schellenberg Partner at German law firm HEUKING to discuss their recent agile work experience. HEUKING is one of the largest law firms in Germany, with more than 400 lawyers in eight major cities. Martin is the firm’s co-head for the Public Sector and Public Procurement practice group. During his career, he has been involved in many landmark infrastructure projects in Germany. His Hamburg-based team of ten includes professionals specialised in Public Administrative Law, Contract Law, Procurement Law and State Aid Law. Critical time limits in government litigation sometimes bring the lawyers to their limits, and therefore, they have been searching for adequate tools and techniques to meet those requirements. Today, they have implemented an “agile working structure”, which is now highly acclaimed for its effectiveness. Here is how it came about and what it means: Dr. Martin Schellenberg Partner, HEUKING Neuer Wall 63, 20354 Hamburg Tel: +49 40 35 52 80 86 Email: m.schellenberg@heuking.de www.heuking.de
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