Patrick J. McKenna

Patrick J. McKenna is an author, lecturer, strategist, and advisor specializing in legal consulting and law firm management. With more than 30 years of experience consulting to law firms internationally, McKenna has worked with some of the largest law firms in over a dozen countries. His work with North American law firms includes serving at least 62 of the largest NLJ 250 firms. As CEO of McKenna Associates Inc., he provides strategic counsel to clients worldwide.

McKenna is the author or co-author of 12 books addressing law firm leadership and professional services management. His titles include the business bestseller "First Among Equals: How To Manage A Group of Professionals" with David Maister and "Industry Specialization: Making Competitors Irrelevant." "First Among Equals" has appeared on business bestseller lists in the United States, Canada, and Australia, has been translated into nine languages, and received a best business books award. McKenna also authored "Practice Development: Creating a Marketing Mindset," recognized as one of the top books for professional services marketers, as well as "Herding Cats: A Handbook for Managing Partners and Practice Leaders" and "Beyond Knowing: 16 Cage-Rattling Questions To Jump-Start Your Practice Team."

McKenna's expertise in legal consulting has been recognized by Lawdragon and was the subject of a Harvard Law School Case Study titled "Innovations In Legal Consulting." He is a recipient of an honorary fellowship from Leaders Excellence of Harvard Square. The book "Management Skills" named McKenna among the leading thinkers in management, and "In The Company of Leaders" included his work alongside other industry experts.

His articles have appeared in more than 50 professional journals, newsletters, and online sources, with features in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Business Week, The Globe and Mail, The Economist, Investor's Business Daily, and The Financial Times. American Lawyer magazine has described him as a long-time succession consultant and coach to new firm leaders, while The Financial Post has referred to him as a professional firm management and marketing consultant with an international client base. McKenna played a key role in launching the InnovAction awards initiative with the College of Law Practice Management to recognize innovation in law firms globally.

McKenna is frequently engaged to advise firms on strategic differentiation, profitability, client service, and effective management. He has served as advisor to the board of Jackson Lewis P.C., providing confidential counsel to its board of directors. McKenna completed MBA graduate work at the Canadian School of Management, is among the first alumni of Harvard's Leadership in Professional Service Firms program, and holds professional certifications in management, supporting his extensive experience in legal industry consulting and law firm strategy.