Shows
The Rainmaking PodcastTRP 265: Process Improvement to Boost Rainmaking Skills with Catherine MacDonaghIn this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love interviews Catherine MacDonagh, a legal industry consultant and author of Lean Six Sigma for Law. Catherine explains how process improvement—defined as analyzing and refining repeatable, describable steps to achieve better outcomes—can significantly enhance client service, profitability, and rainmaking. She notes that while lawyers often resist by saying every matter is unique, many steps in legal work and firm operations (like intake, billing, or onboarding) are recurring processes ripe for improvement. By using tools such as scorecards, impact/ease matrices, and stakeholder analysis, firms can identify high-impact areas, streamline work...
2025-08-2827 min
Legal Management TalkALA's Meeting the Moment: Running a Law Firm Like a BusinessIn this episode of ALA's Meeting the Moment series, Professional Development Advisory Committee members Matthew Sullivan, JD, and Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JD, discuss one of their favorite topics: running a law firm like a business. Learn about why it's so important for firms to shift their mindset about how they operate and the resources ALA provides to help administrators do just that.To check out past podcast episodes, visit alanet.org/podcast.To read the February 2025 article about KPIs, go to alanet.org/legal-management.ALA members can visit the Online Community at ala.tradewing.com...
2025-03-1331 minLegal Management TalkChange Management Techniques for Law FirmsWhy is change such a tough thing to manage in firms (well, for people in general)? We delve into that question in this episode. Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JD, the Founder of Legal Lean Sigma Institute and a member of ALA’s Professional Development Advisory Committee, discusses steps for managing change, the importance of creating small change “wins,” how to avoid change burnout and more. Plus, we leave on a positive note about how to feel hopeful about changes.
2024-04-2517 min
Walchet TalksCatherine Alman MacDonagh | Lean Six Sigma for LawyersIn this episode, I chat with Catherine Alman MacDonagh about applying the principles of lean and six sigma to legal service delivery. The points we discuss in this episode along with the corresponding time stamps are set out below:1. Introduction (0:09)2. Relevance of Lean Six Sigma for Lawyers (0:32)3. Application of Lean Six Sigma to Lawyers (2:42)4. Kickstarting Lean Six Sigma processes at your Legal Team (10:04)5. What is Process Mapping? (13:48)6. Making Lean Six Sigma a Continuous Effort (23:26)7. Change Management Techniques that are Helpful (25:08) Link to the episode 'Law Firm Innovation' - https://w...
2023-02-0932 min
Pioneers and PathfindersCatherine Alman MacDonaghToday we are joined by Catherine Alman MacDonagh, a lawyer, entrepreneur, and CEO and founder of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute. Catherine started her legal career as director of corporate marketing for Counsel Connect, a first-of-its-kind social network platform for attorneys. After several roles in marketing and business development at law firms, she founded the Legal Sales and Service Organization, where she developed the Legal Lean Sigma Institute. The Institute was formed out of Catherine’s interest in “harnessing the power of teams.” She believes that change management can help address matters such as DEI, the war for talent, and improv...
2023-01-2530 min
Women in Law - On The RecordEpisode No. 65: Avocate/GT Panel Discussing Business DevelopmentToday is a really special episode of Women In Law On The Record because I’m sharing an insightful panel discussion regarding how to be successful in business development. The panel featured some familiar faces and voices - like Amy Tu, Chief Legal Officer of Tyson Foods and Catherine MacDonagh, Founder of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute. It also featured Kristin Ng, a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig’s Northern Virginia office. As you will hear, these ladies offer their experiences, advice, and wisdom on all things business development. You will hear me talk about this at the begin...
2021-03-1759 min
Blarney Pilgrims Irish Music PodcastDaithí Gormley Interview (Accordion)It doesn't get better than this.
'A good reel would wipe the cobwebs off his heart.' Last Night's Fun and Joe Cooley, a -kick-you-in-the-chest-kind-of-accordion-player.' Looking for the ghosts of James Morrison and Michael Coleman on the streets of New York City. Translating the music of the fiddle into the language of the box. A grandmother's recordings a treasure trove for the aspiring Daithí Gormley and the chancey nature of recording in the studio.
'There's only one trick to becoming a great musician - you figure out what you're not able to do, and d...
2020-07-271h 37
Panache Software PanachecastInterview with Legal Lean Sigma InstituteWelcome to the Panachecast.This week we have a star-studded line up with three outstanding guests.Catherine MacDonagh, author of Lean Six Sigma for Law Firms and the founder and CEO of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute.Fred Esposito, COO of Rivkin Radler and financial, strategic and operatonal management executive. Fred’s work has been published by the American Bar Association, Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg.Mo Zain Ajaz, COO for Legal and GC at National Grid, recognised by the FT for his work in-house work, and founder of Lex360.
2020-06-291h 09
Legal Mastermind Podcast - Presented By Market My MarketEP 49 - Catherine MacDonagh - Using Lean and Six Sigma to Improve Project Efficiency Within Your FirmCatherine MacDonagh is the founder of Legal Lean Sigma Institute and the developer of Legal Lean Sigma and the award-winning Legal Workout. She teaches and provides training and consulting services with a focus in project improvement, project management, operational and process excellence, organizational development, and strategy. Visit http://legalleansigma.com to learn more about the services Catherine and her team provide. On This Episode, We Discuss...• Understanding Lean and Six Sigma in Addition to Project Management • What the Process Improvement Framework Is & How to Apply It• Reducing or Eliminating Wasteful Tasks in Projects
2020-06-1529 min
Secret Sauce Marketing TastingsEpisode 34: Creating the Career of Your Dreams: How One Woman Has Done It - An interview with Catherine MacDonaghWith an early love of theatre and acting, Catherine thought she was headed to Broadway yet somehow landed in the country's legal services marketplace as a super innovator. Listen in as we discuss the path Catherine has taken to become a successful serial entrepreneur, educator and consultant and, in doing so, learned the indubitable lessons of guiding and giving to others that has proven transformational for all.
2019-10-1239 min
LMA PodcastProcess Improvement & Project ManagementEpisode: 44
Series: P3cast
Episode Description:
Tune in as Natasha Edlow (director of pricing analytics and project management, Covington & Burling) chats with pre-conference presenter Catherine Alman MacDonagh, ESQ. (chief executive officer and co-founder, Legal Lean Sigma Institute / Legal Mocktail / LSSO) about process improvement and project management. The discussion specifically focuses on how process improvement and project management are linked to the P+ Ecosystem.
Speakers:
Natasha Edlow, Director of pricing analytics and project management, Covington & Burling
Catherine Alman MacDonagh, ESQ., Chief executive officer and co-founder, Legal Lean Sigma Institute / Legal Mocktail / LSSO
Series Description:
LMA's P3cast series is a collection...
2019-05-2018 min
Women in Law - On The RecordEpisode No. 22: Catherine MacDonagh, CEO and Founder of Legal Lean SigmaA New England native, Catherine is a former in-house lawyer turned law firm business development consultant turned entrepreneur. Catherine talks about what it takes to become a rainmaker in a law firm and offers terrific advice on how you can set yourself apart to create your authentic brand.
2019-03-1841 min
Legal Management TalkLegal Lean Sigma with Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JDLearn how firms can foster efficiency to increase value to clients and gain competitive advantage. Want to hear more? Register for ALA's Annual Conference & Expo in Los Angeles, May 22-25, to attend the Advanced Profitability Track of educational sessions.
Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JD, is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute LLC. She is a former corporate counsel and law firm executive who now teaches and provides training and consulting services in process improvement and project management, strategic planning, marketing and business development. A Lean Sigma® Black Belt and certified Six Sigma Green Belt, MacDonagh i...
2016-03-0300 min
Legal Management TalkLegal Lean Sigma with Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JDLearn how firms can foster efficiency to increase value to clients and gain competitive advantage. Want to hear more? Register for ALA's Annual Conference & Expo in Los Angeles, May 22-25, to attend the Advanced Profitability Track of educational sessions.Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JD, is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Legal Lean Sigma Institute LLC. She is a former corporate counsel and law firm executive who now teaches and provides training and consulting services in process improvement and project management, strategic planning, marketing and business development. A Lean Sigma® Black Belt and certified Six Sigma Green Belt, MacDonagh i...
2016-03-0311 min