Greg Lambert sits down with Jessica Lim, National Director, Practice Management, Disputes, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG). As an accomplished leader in legal operations and project management, Jessica has contributed invaluable insights to LVN’s community, including her recent articles on the essential stages of strategic planning. In this interview, Jessica shares her professional journey, discusses her involvement with Legal Value Network, and explores how LVN’s initiatives are impacting the Canadian legal market. She also previews the upcoming LVN Road Trip Happy Hour in Toronto and shares her excitement for what lies ahead for LVN in 2025.
Greg Lambert: Hey everyone, I'm Greg Lambert, the editor for the LVN newsletter, and this month, we are shining the spotlight on Jessica Lim. Jessica is the National Director of Practice Management for Disputes at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Toronto. Jessica, thanks for joining me.
Jessica Lim: Thanks for having me!
Greg: You've written a two-part, soon-to-be three-part series on strategic planning for the LVN website, covering "Where Do You Start with Strategic Planning?" and "Analysis." But before we dive into your writing, could you share a bit about your background?
Jessica: Sure! I have a business degree, so I come from the business side of the law firm rather than being a practicing lawyer. I started in marketing and business development (BD) and spent about a decade in that path. Eventually, I moved into the "P3" space—pricing, process improvement, and project management—and took on roles related to strategic planning and operational initiatives. Over time, I've worked closely with leadership to drive growth and manage the firm’s goals.
Greg: What motivated you to transition into legal operations and project management?
Jessica: I’d say four main things: learning, client value, internal client service, and filling internal gaps. First, I love learning and am always pursuing something new to expand my skills. Regarding client value, even back in marketing, I believed we needed to understand what clients valued to serve them better. That led me to observe the shifts in the industry, like when pricing and project management emerged after the 2008 financial crisis, with clients seeking efficiency. Then, I started recognizing the importance of treating lawyers as our internal clients, understanding their business, and supporting them directly in pricing and project management. Finally, I noticed gaps in these areas within the firm and wanted to be part of building solutions.
Greg: What inspired you to join LVN, especially with an eye on building connections in Canada?
Jessica: My initial involvement stemmed from a desire to learn and stay current with industry trends as I transitioned from marketing into the P3 space. I attended conferences, webinars, and engaged with the LVN network to gain insight. But over time, I realized my colleagues and team members in Canada lacked these resources. So my role evolved into helping build a community in Canada where others could benefit from LVN as I did.
Greg: Are you finding that LVN resonates with the Canadian legal market, and what specific resources or connections are they looking for?
Jessica: Yes, there’s definitely an appetite for LVN here. We have two groups: those directly in pricing, process improvement, or project management, and others, like those in marketing or BD, who may not be directly involved but recognize its importance. Both groups are eager to meet others facing similar challenges and learn best practices. With more clients asking about these areas in proposals, even those outside the core P3 group see LVN as a resource for staying client-focused.
Greg: Now, you've shared your own insights through articles. Your third installment is coming up and focuses on the formulation stage of strategic planning. Can you talk a little about your writings and what you hope peers will take from them?
Jessica: I wanted to provide something practical for those embarking on strategic planning or even smaller-scale annual planning. Through my experience with both operational and strategic planning, I’ve encountered challenges that aren’t in business textbooks. My goal is to marry theory with practical insights specific to the law firm environment, which I hope will be useful to others going through similar processes.
Greg: I’m excited to see this third installment! Now, let’s talk about the LVN Road Trip series. The final 2024 event will be in Toronto on November 19. Can you share what’s planned for this happy hour?
Jessica: Absolutely! The plan is simple—to bring together people in the Greater Toronto Area who work in pricing, process improvement, and project management. It’s a great opportunity to network and build relationships in a fun setting. There aren’t many local venues for people in these roles to connect, so we’re excited to create this space.
Greg: Before we wrap up, is there anything you’re looking forward to in 2025?
Jessica: Good question. Right now, we’re in the planning stages, but I’m excited by all the developments in the industry, especially around AI and how it might impact our work. This planning period lets us refocus and prioritize what will have the greatest impact for both our internal and external clients.
Greg: Thank you, Jessica, for sharing your insights and letting us shine a spotlight on you this month.
Jessica: Thanks for having me, Greg!
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