David Simon (left) and John Turlais: Business problem solvers

Photo: Scott Patrick

April 20, 2016 – Last year’s Wisconsin Legal Innovators David Simon and John Turlais have a thing or two to say about the legal profession’s need to innovate and how creative problem solving can open doors to new business.

Why Innovate?

The short answer is, innovation gets you a foot in the door, says attorney John Turlais. “Businesses are looking for innovative ways to resolve their problems more effectively and efficiently. If you develop a creative solution to a problem, these companies are extremely willing to listen. And, getting that opportunity to speak with busy executives is often half the battle.”

Innovate or die, says attorney David Simon. “The profession is changing in fundamental ways. If we don’t figure out ways to provide more for less, someone else will.”

Turlais and Simon of Foley & Lardner LLP, Milwaukee, devised a new tool to help U.S. companies comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act when doing business abroad. The tool, Foley Global Risk Solutions, helps clients implement the legal advice dispensed to help them follow the law.

“Don’t assume that the way we’ve done it in the past is the best way to do it today,” advises Simon. “Start from scratch. Process map how you provide a service and look for inefficiencies and redundancies. Critically assess the skill set needed to perform each task. And really think about how technology can help solve problems – especially routine tasks that don’t require lawyer creativity or judgment.”

“Receiving last year’s Legal Innovator Award provided a unique way for us to convey to Wisconsin companies with international operations that they have options for addressing corruption risk beyond the billable hour,” says Turlais.

Learn more about Simon and Turlais, along with other 2015 Legal Innovators, at ThatsaFineIdea.com.

Know a Wisconsin Legal Innovator? Are You One?

Through the “That’s a Fine Idea: Legal Innovation Wisconsin” initiative, the State Bar of Wisconsin is asking the legal community to help it tell the story of legal innovation.

Tell us about the people and ideas that are changing Wisconsin’s legal landscape. Nominate a Wisconsin Legal Innovator who breaks with tradition to do it better. The Wisconsin Lawyer will feature the people behind the best examples of legal innovation in the November 2016 issue.

Innovation can come in many forms. It could mean:

• New ways to use technology to improve client service or serve a new market
• Best practices for promoting workplace diversity
• New marketing/business development strategies
• New ways of providing pro bono or reduced-cost services
• Changes in internal operations that result in greater efficiency

Learn more or find the nomination form at ThatsaFineIdea.com. The deadline for nominations is June 30, 2016.