Paul PelletierProject management key note speaker, author, corporate lawyer, and executive| Paul Pelletier Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
I often notice that those of us with expertise in legal project and law practice management are misunderstood. Further, the professionals we serve fail to appreciate the value and skills that we bring to an organization.
Do others share this experience? What are the tools you have found effective for marketing ourselves and our skills? Saving Changes...
Sort By:
Bernard GorePortfolio, Programme & Project Professional| NZ PoliceWellington, New Zealand
Yes, I'd agree. I worked 10 years in law firm PM and there was never a recognition of the value and an appreciation of the professional status of what we did.
The only way I found to effectively deal with this was to be able to demonstrate that my knowledge and understanding of the legal services was of a level that effectively made me a "para-legal" - show that I could do what lawyers could, and more! I was lucky that I came form a family that worked in law so had a decent background to build this on. Saving Changes...
Paul PelletierProject management key note speaker, author, corporate lawyer, and executive| Paul Pelletier Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thanks for the confirmation Bernard. Having been a lawyer for over 25 years and a PMP for about 10, I'm astounded at the level of misunderstanding of our strategic value as professionals. I fortunately have a voice being both a lawyer and a PMP but I can't tell you have many times lawyers have asked me what a PMP is and why I would possibly need or want a PMP.
I'd love to have a discussion about your work as a PM with the police in NZ. To hear that a police department has engaged a PM is great news. Really curious to know what you are doing for them. Saving Changes...
Paul and Bernard, it is a very interesting discussion. I am not a lawyer but have had some experience with a corporate lawyer in a large organization, who not only learnt all intricacies of project management with us but was practically an integral part of our team. I saw him help us in strategic decision making, project plaaning, contract drafting, negotiations and even administration. He is a role model for me as a Legal PM and I must say he was duly recognised and honoured for his projeft management legal skills. I hope this is how this profession must be viewed by all. Saving Changes...
Paul PelletierProject management key note speaker, author, corporate lawyer, and executive| Paul Pelletier Consulting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Thanks for comment Suhail.
It sounds like you had a great experience with a very open-minded and eager to learn legal professional. Clearly there are lawyers who are PM-friendly and see the advantages that PMPs bring to their professional. Thanks for sharing your experience. Saving Changes...
