This episode features an interview with Bruce MacEwen. He is the founder and president of Adam Smith, Esq. and has written thousands of articles on the economics of law firms. He is recognized as the world’s leading expert in this subject and provides advice to a select number of law firms about how to succeed in the changing legal landscape. During this episode, Bruce and Eli discuss: • Why Bruce thought there was something off about law firms by Thanksgiving of his first year as an associate • How companies select & manage outside counsel • Tension of building in-house law departments v. relying on outside counsel • Why law firms refuse to do recession scenario planning • Surprising nimbleness of law firms • Law firms being much more thoughtful and humane in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic than they were during the “Great Financial Reset of 2008” • Why successful law firm partners can be dynamite for law firms • Rethinking real estate needs of law firms • “Best-in-breed” law firms v. full-service law firms • Boutiques and benefits of a lawyer’s practice being at the core of what a firm does • Using Net Promoter Score (NPS) to evaluate law firms • Law firms deciding whether to invest in a practice area • Vision and hunger being the key to starting a successful boutique law • Difference between lawyers who succeed v. fail
Clause 8
Bruce MacEwen - World’s Leading Expert on the Economics of Law Firms
Bruce MacEwen - World’s Leading Expert on the Economics of Law Firms
Clause 8
Clause 8 is the long-form IP podcast hosted by Eli Mazour, featuring conversations with the people and forces shaping the patent system.
Its audience includes sophisticated in-house counsel, judges, IP policymakers, senior USPTO officials, patent dealmakers, and leading practitioners. The show is designed to help listeners stay ahead of the curve by understanding not just the latest patent developments, but the personalities, incentives, and institutions behind them.
Clause 8 features conversations that provide strategic insight into patent law, policy, innovation, licensing, and other issues affecting the IP community. Past guests have included major American innovators, federal judges, USPTO Directors, senior IP staff on Capitol Hill, in-house leaders, patent dealmakers — and Carole Baskin’s attorney from Tiger King.
Law360 featured Clause 8 first in its 2026 list of “5 Podcasts to Keep IP Attys Entertained and Informed,” describing its guests as “a bit of a who’s who of IP law.”
Clause 8 has also been covered or cited by Bloomberg, Courthouse News Service, Above the Law, IAM, Original Jurisdiction, and other publications.
Clause 8 is the long-form IP podcast hosted by Eli Mazour, featuring conversations with the people and forces shaping the patent system.
Its audience includes sophisticated in-house counsel, judges, IP policymakers, senior USPTO officials, patent dealmakers, and leading practitioners. The show is designed to help listeners stay ahead of the curve by understanding not just the latest patent developments, but the personalities, incentives, and institutions behind them.
Clause 8 features conversations that provide strategic insight into patent law, policy, innovation, licensing, and other issues affecting the IP community. Past guests have included major American innovators, federal judges, USPTO Directors, senior IP staff on Capitol Hill, in-house leaders, patent dealmakers — and Carole Baskin’s attorney from Tiger King.
Law360 featured Clause 8 first in its 2026 list of “5 Podcasts to Keep IP Attys Entertained and Informed,” describing its guests as “a bit of a who’s who of IP law.”
Clause 8 has also been covered or cited by Bloomberg, Courthouse News Service, Above the Law, IAM, Original Jurisdiction, and other publications.Appears in episode
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