TY - JOUR AB - Purpose–The paper seeks to demonstrate in detail precisely how any city law firm can transform its profitability. Part 1 considers relevant concepts – change preference, paradigms and different approaches to creativity.Design/methodology/approach–The four change preferences are defined, and the impact of difference on language and approach to leadership is considerd. The profiles of partners in a city law firm are examined. The organisational paradigm or recipe for success is defined, and the impact of implicit beliefs or blind spots is considered. The paper seeks to provide the reader with an understanding of cognitive thinking styles – adaptive and innovative, and connect to the “cautious control” and “positive creative” change management preferences.Findings–Partners, on average, have a left‐brain bias and prefer to have a logically detached approach to change, rather than a focus on people issues. Decision takers have an innovative approach to change management. City law firms would best manage change by setting out a long‐term strategic intent, with a series of corporate challenges, implemented sequentially and connected to the past.Originality/value–The paper will enable the reader to understand key relevant concepts and learn how law firms can most effectively manage change. VL - 38 IS - 4 SN - 0019-7858 DO - 10.1108/00197850610671982 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/00197850610671982 AU - Eales‐White Rupert PY - 2006 Y1 - 2006/01/01 TI - How to transform the profitability of city law firms: part I T2 - Industrial and Commercial Training PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 201 EP - 207 Y2 - 2024/09/19 ER -