The Legal Mind Revolution: How the Best Lawyers Think About Rules, Risks, and Ethics
This book is about how lawyers think. It shows the limitations of traditional legal reasoning (the rule-based mindset). It advocates that this common approach to legal thinking must be complemented by new mental methodologies to better grasp uncertainty and risks (the risk-based mindset). Finally, the book shows the limitations of the risk-based mindset and why and how it must be complemented by ethical considerations (the ethics-based mindset).
The book’s promise? Mastering the three mindsets and learning to combine them - the book shows in detail how to do both - will radically transform how lawyers (both in in-house legal departments and law firms) advise their clients. It will boost the value they deliver by giving the keys and the tools to elevate their game and operate as top-level business partners.
This book is about how lawyers think. It shows the limitations of traditional legal reasoning (the rule-based mindset). It advocates that this common approach to legal thinking must be complemented by new mental methodologies to better grasp uncertainty and risks (the risk-based mindset). Finally, the book shows the limitations of the risk-based mindset and why and how it must be complemented by ethical considerations (the ethics-based mindset).
The book’s promise? Mastering the three mindsets and learning to combine them - the book shows in detail how to do both - will radically transform how lawyers (both in in-house legal departments and law firms) advise their clients. It will boost the value they deliver by giving the keys and the tools to elevate their game and operate as top-level business partners.
This book is about how lawyers think. It shows the limitations of traditional legal reasoning (the rule-based mindset). It advocates that this common approach to legal thinking must be complemented by new mental methodologies to better grasp uncertainty and risks (the risk-based mindset). Finally, the book shows the limitations of the risk-based mindset and why and how it must be complemented by ethical considerations (the ethics-based mindset).
The book’s promise? Mastering the three mindsets and learning to combine them - the book shows in detail how to do both - will radically transform how lawyers (both in in-house legal departments and law firms) advise their clients. It will boost the value they deliver by giving the keys and the tools to elevate their game and operate as top-level business partners.
DESCRIPTION
In this book, Antoine Henry de Frahan challenges the way legal professionals think about legal issues and argues that they should master three mindsets: the rule-based, risk-based, and ethics-based mindset. This would represent a radical transformation and improvement for all parties concerned and effectively position lawyers as high-value business partners. Supported by many spot-on examples that will speak to lawyers, Antoine Henry de Frahan provides inspiring ideas and practical methodologies, all illustrated by insightful graphics. Early readers are unanimous: It is a must-read for all lawyers.
REVIEWS
"Antoine's book, The Legal Mind Revolution, is a practical call to action for lawyers. It teaches them to be true business partners to their clients and put skin in the game. The book is practical, to the point, filled with examples with a zest of wit which Antoine is known for. Easy to read, it shows how lawyers can be great businesspeople with a legal background. An enjoyable read!"
Sandrine Besnard-Corblet, Chief Legal Officer, SCR-Sibelco
“It is a must-read for business lawyers of all seniority: it helps break the myth that lawyers should only concern themselves with the narrow spectrum of legal issues. The book is very useful as it clarifies the expectations of sophisticated clients vis-à-vis business lawyers and contains practical examples of processes and concrete advice.”
Arnaud Coibion, Partner, Linklaters
“The book is very interesting and pragmatic. It shows, with concrete examples, what (in-house) lawyers should do to shift their mindset to become real business partners, approach matters from a different angle, and build solutions based on a different perspective.”
Quitterie de Pelleport, Chief Legal Officer, Renault Group
“What a GREAT book! The Legal Mind Revolution unleashes a true revolution by enabling company lawyers to grow into real business partners by empowering them from being risk identifiers to strategic risk navigators. With its clear storytelling, practical framework of three different key mindsets and useful examples, it pushes you to see beyond the legal lens and create possibilities where others see problems. Undoubtedly, a must-read and game-changer, which is also suitable for young professionals.”
Julie Dutordoir, General Director, Instituut voor bedrijsjuristen / Institut des juristes d’entreprise
“The Legal Mind Revolution resonates deeply with the realities of legal practice. It provides a strong framework for lawyers determined to operate as business partners. While there is a lot of discussion out there on the concept of being a business partner, this book goes further. It offers insights and spot-on examples of how it works in practice. It advocates for a much-needed shift in mindset and provides the tools to succeed in this transition. I am already using the book to inspire my legal team. A very nice piece of work.”
Philip Eyskens, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Bekaert
“This is a great book because it describes in a compelling manner some key mental models for the legal profession. A must-read for practitioners and law students alike.”
Michael Gillis, Vice President Legal, Ethics & Data Privacy Europe, Engie
“This book is a must-read for attorneys and company lawyers who all should care about their mission to rise to a trusted business advisor. Antoine explains how we, as lawyers, are expected to do much more than apply the rules. He offers a clear mental framework and real-life examples of how to do so.”
Patrick Krekels, General Counsel, Swift
“At last, someone is putting on paper what many lawyers sense but that is hardly said openly: There are situations where it is impossible or undesirable to comply with the law, either in full or to the letter. However, acknowledging this goes both against all the principles taught to lawyers and against society's expectations. As a result, it creates tension in the minds of many lawyers.
The Legal Mind Revolution provides a simple and structured thinking model to deal with that tension. It can be applied for personal use, in interactions with the business, for training young lawyers to become trusted legal business partners, and even to challenge external advisors to go beyond merely describing the legal context. That is powerful.
While the book contains principles that, individually, are familiar to lawyers, it has the merit of explaining different approaches in a comprehensive and understandable way, mapping their interrelationship and providing useful tools to put theoretical knowledge into practice. The author succeeds in doing this in a light-hearted manner, in which even the most seasoned jurist will recognize situations and be able to reevaluate them against the principles outlined in the book. Aha moments regularly occur throughout the reading, always followed by a smile.”
Roel Straetmans, General Counsel, Puratos Group
“This book is insightful and practical, a must-read for lawyers who want to unlock their full potential. By reshaping the way lawyers approach risk and business success, it enables lawyers to build stronger client relationships based on trust and informed decision-making. It is an inspiring resource for achieving excellence in today’s ever-evolving legal and business environment.”
Johan Van de Velde, Chief Legal Officer, Schréder Group
“I LOVE this book! Every legal practitioner should read this! Whether you are an in-house counsel or a private practice lawyer, your clients don’t want to hear what they can’t do; they want to hear what they can do. This book is an excellent guide to interpreting the black letter rules in the context of a pragmatic and ethical risk assessment.”
Dr Beatrice Vos, Managing Partner, Stonehaven Transactions AG