A formal performance evaluation is an opportunity for you to showcase your hard work and accomplishments, as well as a chance to identify any discrepancies in expectations. Ask the partners these four questions to establish the evaluation criteria and then start a diary to record your achievements. To assure continuing success at the job, the new administrator should make … [Read more...] about How to ask the partners for an evaluation
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8 signs your firm needs an operations analysis
An operational analysis is an in-depth analysis of the firms's operations, or, put simply, getting somebody from outside to take a look at the inside. Most firms do that when they are facing problems, particularly financial problems, but it is better to do it before problems occur. Here is what the job entails, starting with the signs that it's time to get the review … [Read more...] about 8 signs your firm needs an operations analysis
Five essentials to support employee mental health and well-being
Events of the last four years have changed the nature of work for many and the relationship that some workers have with their jobs. The Surgeon General’s Framework for Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace outlines the foundational role that workplaces should play in promoting the health and well-being of workers and communities. With more than 160 million … [Read more...] about Five essentials to support employee mental health and well-being
Common partner compensation systems
By Brenda A. Barnes and Camille Stell Partner compensation is probably one of the most sensitive aspects of a law firm’s practice management. Whether you are adopting a new system or modifying the current one, there must be an extraordinary amount of thought, care, and study. Systems are either non-performance-based systems or performance-based systems. Here are the … [Read more...] about Common partner compensation systems
Partnering: Reset your relationship with your employees
By Lynne Curry You want your employees to work harder. They seem to expect a medal for what they’re already doing. You want your employees to feel happy about returning to the office. They don’t. They’d prefer to work remote. You handed out raises and expected your employees to thank you. Your employees reminded you their wages, even with the raises, haven’t kept pace with … [Read more...] about Partnering: Reset your relationship with your employees
5 law firm billing practices for better cash flow
By Brenda Barnes It’s probably not a big surprise that if your firm does not have sound billing and collection practices, your cash flow will suffer. It also probably goes without saying that when cash flow suffers so does partner compensation. How can you tighten this up? First and foremost, you need to have solid billing policies that are agreed upon and followed! … [Read more...] about 5 law firm billing practices for better cash flow
It’s a new year: Commit to making your career dreams come true
By Lynne Curry Start this new year off right by committing to making your career dreams come true. Perhaps you’ve thought, “I want to turn my hobby into a viable business;” “I want a higher paying, more exciting job;” “I want to make enough money to live on in 20 hours a week, so the rest of the week is mine,” or “I want those above me to consider me a leader and … [Read more...] about It’s a new year: Commit to making your career dreams come true
Women now majority of associates, record gains in partnerships
For the first time in the history of the US legal industry, the majority of associates are women, and women have also made record gains in achieving law firm partnerships. NALP has released its annual Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms, available at www.nalp.org/reportondiversity. The report, based on information from the 2023 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE), … [Read more...] about Women now majority of associates, record gains in partnerships
7 basic steps for a successful law office move
Law offices are upsizing, downsizing and merging in response to economic ups and downs and other changes in the legal landscape. If your office is going to change its location or shuffle around in its current location this year, you're wise to start panning now. Moving a law office can be a complex and time-consuming process, but with careful planning and organization, it can … [Read more...] about 7 basic steps for a successful law office move
What does the Americans with Disabilities Act require of your office?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires law offices to make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, and procedures to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the services provided. This includes ensuring that the facility is physically accessible to … [Read more...] about What does the Americans with Disabilities Act require of your office?