Law Office Manager

Managing staff

When Hybrid Tension Creeps in at the Law Office

Hybrid doesn’t break teams—blind spots do. Fix the flow of information before resentment builds. Hybrid work has solved some real problems for law offices—flexibility, retention, and focus time among them. But it has also introduced a new kind of friction that tends to show up quietly and then escalate fast if no one addresses it. In a law office, where timing, … [Read more...] about When Hybrid Tension Creeps in at the Law Office

Training New Hires Who Started in January: What Month Two Should Look Like

How to strengthen onboarding beyond week one By the time February rolls around, your January new hires are no longer “brand new.” They’ve survived their first week, figured out where the coffee lives, learned how to log into systems, and can probably get through a day without constant help. This is exactly where onboarding often loses momentum—and where your role as an … [Read more...] about Training New Hires Who Started in January: What Month Two Should Look Like

Seize Control of Your Workday

Your to-do list is long, your inbox is overflowing, and everyone seems to need something from you—right now. As a law office administrator, your day can feel like a nonstop whirlwind of requests, interruptions, and unexpected fires to put out. But instead of letting the day control you, it’s time to take control of your day. With a few key strategies, you can stay organized, … [Read more...] about Seize Control of Your Workday

Using Employee Feedback from the Past Year to Improve Operations

Turning surveys and comments into real improvements Over the past year, you’ve likely gathered a steady stream of employee feedback through surveys, one-on-one conversations, exit interviews, and informal comments shared in meetings or emails. Collecting feedback is only the first step. The real value comes from how that information is used to make meaningful improvements to … [Read more...] about Using Employee Feedback from the Past Year to Improve Operations

Using Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) Effectively with Staff

One of the toughest parts of your job is addressing underperformance. It’s never fun to have those difficult conversations, but when handled thoughtfully, they can be a real turning point—not just for the employee, but for your whole team. That’s where a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) comes in. Done right, a PIP isn’t a punishment—it’s a tool for clarity, accountability, … [Read more...] about Using Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) Effectively with Staff

Why “Thank You” Matters More Than You Think

It’s easy to get swept up in the to-do lists, reports, scheduling, and troubleshooting that fill an office manager’s day. You’re juggling a hundred moving pieces, and just getting through the day without a printer jam or a staff meltdown feels like a win. But amid the whirlwind, there’s one small habit that can make a big difference—for morale, for relationships, and even for … [Read more...] about Why “Thank You” Matters More Than You Think

To Make a Point, Use the Body Language that Supports Your Words

Few managers realize that successful communication depends heavily on body language. When people don't get the response they expect, they need to understand that their bodies aren't sending the messages they think they're conveying. Much of the message that gets picked up in a conversation comes from motions and gestures. And it works both ways. A manager has to know body … [Read more...] about To Make a Point, Use the Body Language that Supports Your Words

Building a Future-Ready Law Office: How to Embrace New Legal Tech Without Disrupting Your Team

Adopting new technology can feel a little like trying to fix a moving car. You know your law office needs to stay competitive, efficient, and secure, but introducing change without causing confusion—or outright resistance—can be tricky. The good news is, you can guide your team through a tech transition smoothly by being intentional about how you approach it. Start by … [Read more...] about Building a Future-Ready Law Office: How to Embrace New Legal Tech Without Disrupting Your Team

8 Proven Ways to Totally Destroy Your Credibility as a Manager

A manager can have great knowledge and great skills, but without credibility with both attorneys and staff, don't expect success. What is credibility? It can be defined as "what we do and how we do it that causes others to respect and believe us." The "what-we-do" is the tangible things—the work and its results. The "how-we-do-it" is the behavior that demonstrates a person's … [Read more...] about 8 Proven Ways to Totally Destroy Your Credibility as a Manager