New TV show idea: 'Undercover Managing Partner'
Feb 8th, 2010 by Mark Cohen
After the Super Bowl (congratulations Saints!), a new showed premiered on CBS called “Undercover Boss.” In the inaugural episode, the head of Waste Management, Larry O’Donnell, worked for a week incognito within his own company, doing the jobs his underlings usually do, from cleaning out port-a-potties to picking up trash. By the end of it, he comes to the stunning realization that the average joes in his company have it pretty tough and vows to make things better (mostly by creating a series of task forces). Apparently they are doing this same schtick with the CEOs of a number of major corporations. Next up (I kid you not) will be the CEO of Hooters going undercover in his own operation.
In any case, the show got me wondering what would happen if we could apply that concept to law firms. It would never work in real life, because even the biggest firms are small enough where the managing partner would be recognized by the rank and file. But what if it could be done. Could you picture a managing partner masquerading as an entry-level associate? A recent law school grad applying for a job? A paralegal? A legal secretary?
What would the managing partner learn about the treatment of these various groups within the firm culture? I’d tune in to see that.
