By Lynne Curry bio You've met the predatory client and possibly even tangled with him. He or she makes life difficult for your staff, particularly your front desk employees, and possibly even for you because his status as a client enables him to do so. Often he represents hundreds of thousands of dollars in billings. Do legal practices have a responsibility to … [Read more...] about The predatory client and your workplace environment
Managing staff
When an employee has body odor
Q: I don't know how to say this delicately, so I'll get right to the point. A staffer at our practice has terrible body odor. Her B.O. is so bad that several other staffers have approached me, saying they don't want to work with her. Also, they have asked me to do something about the situation. I'm usually good at counseling employees, but this particular problem has me … [Read more...] about When an employee has body odor
Want to improve attorney tech use? Start by breaking down silos in your firm
By Michelle Spencer bio I have long wondered why there are two different teams in law firms doing similar functions. I am referring to the professional development and technology training teams. Both of the teams perform learning and development functions, and yet they are usually in two different departments that work alone, except in rare instances. They … [Read more...] about Want to improve attorney tech use? Start by breaking down silos in your firm
Is ACA employer reporting still required for 2017 tax year? Are you sure?
Ever since it was signed into law in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been the subject of much concern—and confusion—for employers. This past year has been no exception, due to a handful of attempts by GOP lawmakers to overhaul the controversial legislation. At this time, however, the ACA remains the law of the land, and employers must prepare and report in January … [Read more...] about Is ACA employer reporting still required for 2017 tax year? Are you sure?
Start off staff’s year by putting the focus on professional growth
A good way to start off a year is with a professional development plan for each staffer. And call it such, says Richard Lepsinger, president of OnPoint Consulting in New York. It's not a vehicle for recognizing shortcomings in a staffer's performance that have to be improved. Instead, it's a discussion of capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses and how to grow during the … [Read more...] about Start off staff’s year by putting the focus on professional growth
Feeling stuck and disorganized? Here’s how to turn things around
By Bianca Moreiras bio After working 30 years in the legal arena with highly skilled, highly skeptical attorneys I have learned that keeping myself in a positive "can do" frame of mind helps keep my sanity. Executing the feeling is another story. Each day brings new challenges or "change"—something that is inevitable, but also something attorneys will try to avoid at all … [Read more...] about Feeling stuck and disorganized? Here’s how to turn things around
U.S. employers to offer much merriment over the holidays
Bloomberg Law has released the results of its annual year-end holiday practices survey on how companies manage paid holidays and days off, office parties, and gifts and bonuses over the winter holidays, and it seems the next two weeks will be a good time for many of us. "With Christmas and New Year's falling on Mondays, fewer employers are inclined to provide another paid day … [Read more...] about U.S. employers to offer much merriment over the holidays
NALP releases their 2017 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms
The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) has released its 2017 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms based on the recent analyses of the 2017-2018 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE)—the annual compendium of legal employer data published by NALP. The report shows that women and Black/African-Americans made small gains in representation at major U.S. law firms in … [Read more...] about NALP releases their 2017 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms
4 steps to hit the reset button with your team in 2020
By Audrey Epstein bio The New Year brings with it the opportunity for change, growth, and renewal. We commit to accomplish new goals or resolve to finally complete old ambitions. Most of us feel more optimistic at the beginning of the year. New Year's Resolutions are expected. Gym memberships go through the roof in January. The "fresh start" feel of each new year is … [Read more...] about 4 steps to hit the reset button with your team in 2020
How to stage your office for improved productivity
Is clutter slowing down productivity in your office? Clutter is a major distraction and eats up time, says Pat Heydlauff of Energy Design, a productive-focused environment company. "Nobody can concentrate or work efficiently amidst disorganization," she says, pointing out that getting rid of office clutter can significantly improve the atmosphere and speed up the work flow. … [Read more...] about How to stage your office for improved productivity