Some of the most valuable things we do for clients aren’t billable.

Take the news, for instance.  When we read or watch the news, oftentimes we do so as people, not as client developers.  The former entails reaction, the latter inspires action.

The wires and waves have been inundated over the last 24 hours with news of NBA’s Jason Collins “coming out.”  Personally, I say it’s about time.  Professionally, I go into action mode.  How are my law firm clients responding to this news for the benefit of their clients?  Have you asked your clients if and how you can be helpful?  As employees hover around the water cooler and insensitive “joke mail” and Facebook posts circulate at lightning speed, do companies need sensitivity training?  Refresher courses? Would it help a company if its outside law firm created a Top 10 list—what constitutes a hostile work environment?  What are managers’ roles in preserving an open and inclusive workplace?  How should an employee respond if he hears an inappropriate comment directed toward a protected class?

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel.  And maybe there’s nothing much to do.  But it’s always a good idea to let clients know that we think about them.  Constantly.  Proactively.  And most importantly, sans meter.