By Camille Stell Law firm compensation is changing - and fast. Market pressures, shifting lawyer expectations, alternative fee arrangements, and an increased focus on firm value are forcing firms to rethink how (and why) they pay lawyers the way they do. For legal administrators, paralegals, and support professionals, these changes are not abstract. Compensation decisions … [Read more...] about Compensation, Valuation, and the Future of Law Firms: What Legal Administrators Need to Know
Hiring
Streamline the Hiring Process with Technology
Recruiting staff for a law office requires precision, confidentiality, and efficiency. However, the traditional hiring process can often feel cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when navigating a busy legal environment. By incorporating technology, you can streamline the hiring process, making it quicker, more organized, and more appealing to today’s candidates. Here’s … [Read more...] about Streamline the Hiring Process with Technology
6 Ways Formal Job Descriptions Benefit Your Law Office
Small businesses, including legal practices, often try to get by without formal job descriptions. The thinking is the manager knows what each position requires, and she or he can share this information with job candidates and new hires. Another argument is that because job tasks tend to change, job descriptions quickly become outdated. Neither of these arguments takes … [Read more...] about 6 Ways Formal Job Descriptions Benefit Your Law Office
Law Student Recruiting Is Racing Ahead—and Employers Are Setting the Pace
Recruiting is happening earlier, more rapidly, and increasingly outside traditional channels, according to NALP's annual Perspectives on 2025 Law Student Recruiting report. The data underscore the continued shift toward employer sponsored recruiting methods, including direct application alongside accelerated timelines. During the 2025 recruiting cycle for 2026 2L summer … [Read more...] about Law Student Recruiting Is Racing Ahead—and Employers Are Setting the Pace
How to Use Skills Tests in the Hiring Process
Hiring the right person can make or break a team’s success. Resumes and interviews only reveal part of the picture—sometimes the best way to evaluate a candidate’s potential is to see their skills in action. That’s where skills tests come in. If you’re involved in the hiring process and want a practical way to assess real capabilities, this primer will walk you through how to … [Read more...] about How to Use Skills Tests in the Hiring Process
Follow These Tips to Check References Right
You’re hiring and have identified your top candidate for the role based on resumes and multiple rounds of interviews. So you’re set to make a job offer, right? Not quite yet—now it’s time to check references. Sure, you could take everything the candidate has said at face value, but due diligence demands that you get input from managers they’ve worked under at previous … [Read more...] about Follow These Tips to Check References Right
Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding a Records Manager
Hiring a records manager for your law office is a critical task. A good records manager ensures your firm’s sensitive legal documents are properly organized, stored, and compliant with all regulatory requirements. From maintaining digital archives to overseeing physical files, the role demands precision and confidentiality. Here’s how to effectively recruit, hire, and onboard … [Read more...] about Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding a Records Manager
Here’s How to Hire or Contract a Courier/Court Runner
Hiring or contracting a courier or court runner is a crucial decision for a law office. These professionals play an essential role in ensuring that important legal documents, court filings, and deliveries are handled with efficiency and precision. Whether you choose to hire an employee or contract the role out, finding the right person is key. Here’s how you can recruit, … [Read more...] about Here’s How to Hire or Contract a Courier/Court Runner
What Record Legal Employment Growth Means for Staffing & Recruiting
Right now, the U.S. legal labor market is unusually strong—even when other sectors slow down. In 2024, legal sector payrolls hit record highs, with total employment in the legal services industry reaching around 1.19–1.20 million jobs, a peak not seen in years according to U.S. Department of Labor data. Additionally, law school career outcomes have been historically … [Read more...] about What Record Legal Employment Growth Means for Staffing & Recruiting
How You Can Support Associates’ Professional Development
The law office administrator can have a significant impact on the professional development of your associates. By fostering a culture that encourages continuous learning, providing mentorship opportunities, and promoting growth, you can help build a stronger, more capable team. Here’s how you can play a pivotal role in supporting your associates’ professional development. 1. … [Read more...] about How You Can Support Associates’ Professional Development