As a law office manager, you wear many hats, from overseeing administrative tasks to ensuring client satisfaction. One of the most challenging aspects of your role is dealing with difficult clients. Handling such clients effectively is crucial for maintaining the firm's reputation, ensuring smooth operations, and fostering a positive work environment. This article provides … [Read more...] about 9 effective strategies to handle difficult clients
Billing & collections
Billing: Should You Keep It In-House or Go Outsourced?
The decision to outsource billing in law offices varies depending on the size, specialization, and resources of the firm. While some law offices handle billing in-house, others choose to outsource this function to streamline processes and reduce administrative burdens. Here’s an overview of trends and considerations when it comes to law offices and outsourced billing: Why Some … [Read more...] about Billing: Should You Keep It In-House or Go Outsourced?
9 ways to maximize collections and boost revenue
Maximizing collections is crucial for maintaining a healthy cash flow and sustaining the growth of your firm. By implementing strategic initiatives and adopting proactive approaches, you can significantly boost your collection efforts. In this article, we will guide you through essential tips and best practices to help you optimize collections and increase revenue for your law … [Read more...] about 9 ways to maximize collections and boost revenue
What payment methods do your clients want?
As a law office administrator, you know that handling client payments efficiently is key to maintaining a smooth and professional practice. But in today’s fast-evolving financial landscape, traditional payment methods might not always cut it. Clients are looking for more flexibility, convenience, and security when it comes to settling their bills. Offering diverse payment … [Read more...] about What payment methods do your clients want?
How to prioritize law firm management tasks
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio What's the most important task you have to tackle today? Do you have so many you can't decide which to address first? In law firms, priorities change from day to day and even moment to moment. The truth of the matter is that there are often competing priorities. And unless there is an obvious crisis, it's sometimes not that easy to decide which … [Read more...] about How to prioritize law firm management tasks
6 realities about client billing and how to address them
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Nothing strikes a nerve with clients more than having to pay legal fees. I am not sure why, but some clients think it is acceptable to expect their lawyers to work for free, something they don't expect anyone else to do. In today's economy, clients are looking for reduced legal fees and results. Value billing and flat fee billing structures are … [Read more...] about 6 realities about client billing and how to address them
8 common mistakes in client billing and how to avoid them
Billing errors are common and can lead to disputes, loss of client trust, and financial setbacks. Here’s an overview of common mistakes in client billing and strategies to avoid them. One frequent mistake is inaccurate time tracking. Lawyers often juggle multiple clients and tasks, making it easy to misrecord billable hours. To avoid this, implement a robust time-tracking … [Read more...] about 8 common mistakes in client billing and how to avoid them
Notice to Client of Increase in Hourly Rate
Why you need this Model Notice to Client: Clients should be notified in writing of any fee increases 30 days in advance. This protects both the firm and the client. Informing your client of what to expect and when to expect it will help your client prepare for the extra expense. How this Model Notice to Client helps you: The Notice needs to be clear, brief, and readable. … [Read more...] about Notice to Client of Increase in Hourly Rate
Model Billing Statement
Why you need this Model Billing Statement: Many clients don't like to pay their legal bills and without having measures in place to ensure payments, law firms can run into huge headaches. One best practice is to ensure that your billing statement clearly outlines what services your clients are receiving for their money. How this Model Billing Statement helps you: Use this … [Read more...] about Model Billing Statement
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