The 2021 Top 25 Consultants: Lauren Chung

Lauren serves as a managing director and leads the Strategy + Operations practice within the Advisory business at HBR Consulting (HBR). She has over 20 years of management consulting experience and works with the law department and law firm leadership on strategic, process and operational improvement initiatives. Clients value Lauren's expertise in assisting law departments and law firms to drive transformational efforts that achieve organizational and operational efficiency through the alignment of people, processes, and technology.

Lauren has been leading the HBR Law Department Survey, a leading source of benchmarking data for law departments, since its inception. Recognized as a thought leader, Lauren publishes and speaks regularly to industry groups on law department and law firm management best practices.

Prior to joining HBR, Lauren was a management consultant in corporate strategy at PwC.

Outside of work, Lauren and her husband are proud parents of four children. She is also actively involved in community initiatives focused on helping children and youth.

What does winning this award mean to you?

"I would be deeply honored by this recognition from Consulting Magazine. I have spent my entire career (over 20 years) in consulting. As a female Asian-American leader and a working mom in an industry heavily dominated by men, I have striven to rise amid challenges and model a commitment to helping people succeed."

"Being selected as a Top 25 Consultant would validate the efforts I have made throughout my career with clients and colleagues. My hope is that my story of perseverance and commitment to excellence will be an inspiration to consultants, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, at various stages of their careers."

What's been the biggest factor in your success?

"The biggest contributors to my success have been an unwavering passion for delivering excellence for my clients and investing in the development and growth of my team. My focus has always been about becoming a trusted business advisor, deeply understanding my clients as individuals and their organizations' challenges and opportunities. Building close-knit partnerships that go beyond the consulting engagement on hand have afforded me the ability to influence and have a lasting impact on my clients."

"I have also made the development of my team a priority as a leader. As I have invested in them, I have seen them invest in each other and our clients to achieve our collective success. My team challenges me to strive for continuous improvement as an individual, consultant, and leader."

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

"My desire to leave a legacy for my four children has been a key driver for me, modeling values and behaviors so that they will see and not just hear what hard work, dedication and commitment yield. As a young immigrant to the United States and later in life as a female Asian-American leader, I have been motivated to turn my personal and professional challenges into opportunities for influence and service to those in my world – my family, clients, and community."