The client is angry. The client is upset about the bill. The client says the firm did work that wasn't approved. The client may be ready to walk. There's a way to salvage that relationship, says law management consultant William Cobb of Cobb Consulting in Houston. It calls for tact, saying the right things, and giving the issue full and close personal attention. Take a … [Read more...] about How to calm down the angry client and hold on to the business
Enforce those billing and collection guidelines
Getting paid or not getting paid to a great extent depends on the firm’s billing and collection guidelines—and whether they are enforced. Without guidelines, the firm is asking for money loss. Billing is haphazard, collection work isn’t done regularly, personal clients aren’t always satisfied with their bills, and corporate clients may hold up payment or contest the … [Read more...] about Enforce those billing and collection guidelines
Should I take a ‘dry promotion’ (without a raise)?
By Lynne Curry Question: An email with the subject line “good news” arrived in my inbox from my supervisor this morning. The good news I hoped for flashed across my mind as I imagined him saying he was moving to another state, and I’d be getting a new supervisor. He didn’t like me, and I didn’t like him. Instead, he told me I was being offered a promotion. He didn’t look … [Read more...] about Should I take a ‘dry promotion’ (without a raise)?
Make a good impression with your email closing
How you end a business email can leave a lasting impression on the recipient. The right closing can make your email feel more professional and polished, while a poor closing can detract from the message you’re trying to convey. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and best practices for concluding your business emails in a way that leaves a positive impression on your … [Read more...] about Make a good impression with your email closing
And you are … ? How to prepare your elevator speech
Do you have an elevator speech ready? An elevator speech, also known as an elevator pitch, is a concise and well-prepared verbal summary or introduction that you can deliver in the time it takes to ride an elevator, typically around 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The goal of an elevator speech is to effectively communicate who you are, what you do, and what you or your … [Read more...] about And you are … ? How to prepare your elevator speech
The art of delegating to increase firm revenues
By Elizabeth Miller Law firms are unique in that unlike most other businesses which sell a product, lawyers sell time. Their time is, for a better description, “their stock in trade”. Based on this concept, to be profitable and generate sufficient revenues to carry the firm, lawyers should be spending their valuable time doing client billable work. The exception to this are … [Read more...] about The art of delegating to increase firm revenues
What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The NPRM was posted by the Federal Register for public inspection on Aug. 7, 2023 and published in the Federal Register on Aug. 11, 2023. The NPRM is available at … [Read more...] about What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Second job or side hustle: How to work with moonlighting employees
Dealing with moonlighting employees can be a delicate situation for an office manager. Moonlighting refers to employees holding a second job or pursuing other sources of income outside of their primary employment. While moonlighting itself might not be inherently negative, it can potentially impact an employee’s performance and commitment to their primary job. Here’s how an … [Read more...] about Second job or side hustle: How to work with moonlighting employees
The summer is over and it’s time to get back to law firm business
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Summer is quickly coming to an end. While it is still hot in many places, the return after Labor Day for all intents and purposes signals the end of the summer—and summer vacations. Hopefully your firm has made good use of the "summer downtime" that exists when court dockets slow down as judges, court personnel, and the rest of the profession … [Read more...] about The summer is over and it’s time to get back to law firm business
Staff training quiz: Managing client funds
Questions: What are client trust accounts used for in a law office? a) Personal savings of the attorneys b) Holding and managing client funds for legal matters c) Paying office expenses d) Making personal investments True or False: Client funds should always be kept separate from the law firm's operating funds. When should client funds be deposited into the trust … [Read more...] about Staff training quiz: Managing client funds