Having a discussion about selling your law firm as you approach retirement isn't always easy, because it can get you thinking about uncomfortable issues such as whether you'll be able to adjust to not working, and even your own mortality. Tempting as it is to put off such decisions for as long as possible, it's best to start succession planning several months or even several … [Read more...] about Don’t leave succession planning on your law firm’s back burner
Managing the office
On Better Communication
Do you freeze up when asked to write something for work? Don't worry. Whether you're writing a letter to a client or a blog for the company website, there are a few simple steps you can take to produce clear and coherent copy. A lot of people freeze when they have to write something. They get afraid they won't know what to say or how to say it. But they do know that. They … [Read more...] about On Better Communication
Ensure success in your new job as administrator
As soon as you've accepted the position of law firm administrator, you need to establish expectations – what is expected of you and what you expect of others. Once those parameters are clear, you can implement any necessary changes with authority and confidence. Walking into a new job as administrator? It's hard for a newcomer administrator to know where to begin work, what … [Read more...] about Ensure success in your new job as administrator
Top 10 phishing phrases of 2018: The KnowBe4 list
By Jay Stromberg bio As you may know, Savvy is the largest reseller in the legal industry for KnowBe4 security awareness training. We are seriously proud of this partnership because of the significant security improvements that KnowBe4 has delivered to our clients. At a time when law firms are hacked into daily, this training platform is delivering quantifiable … [Read more...] about Top 10 phishing phrases of 2018: The KnowBe4 list
To-Dos: Your April office checklist
Here are a few tasks that should be addressed this month. Do a first quarter evaluation with employees who have a billing quota. Assess where they are in terms of reaching the annual goal and discuss any changes that need to be made, adjustments in procedures for capturing time or time management skills. Review the firm's profit and loss statement as it compares to the … [Read more...] about To-Dos: Your April office checklist
Inside your practice: Communicating, leading, & managing amid change
The only thing that is constant is change, said the Greek philosopher Heraclitus. And although he never managed a law practice, his words certainly apply to today's workplace. The case for transparency Change is a constant for the legal industry. Mergers, acquisitions, and new technologies—it's hard enough just to keep up let alone keep your staff apprised. Regrettably, … [Read more...] about Inside your practice: Communicating, leading, & managing amid change
Redesign the office to keep up with industry and technology changes
Take a look around your workplace. Does it reflect the traditional image of a law firm—a somber place of serious business with an abundant supply of mahogany furniture and thick, intimidating books? Is there a field of empty workstations once filled by staff members now long gone? Is it cluttered? Is it sterile? Is it pleasing to the eye? Is it time for a change? The … [Read more...] about Redesign the office to keep up with industry and technology changes
Want to improve your bottom line? Encourage your partners to delegate
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Law firms are unique in that unlike most other businesses that sell a product, lawyers sell time. Their time is, for a better description, "their stock in trade." Based on this concept, to be profitable and generate sufficient revenues to carry the firm, lawyers should be spending their valuable time doing client billable work. The exceptions to … [Read more...] about Want to improve your bottom line? Encourage your partners to delegate
How to ensure your firm can weather a disaster
Many law firms are not well prepared to weather a disaster, whether it's a physical one such as a flood or fire, or a technological one such as a data breach, says Catherine Sanders Reach, director of law practice management and technology for the Chicago Bar Association. In extreme cases, such as a terrorist attack or a hurricane, Reach says the damage done to unprepared law … [Read more...] about How to ensure your firm can weather a disaster
For personal success, get beyond the words and metacommunicate
Meta means beyond. And though it has varying definitions, in its simplest form, metacommunication means going beyond regular communication to get the full point across. It means making sure everything—spoken or unspoken—gets communicated to, and from, both sides. Most employment situations are rife with unspoken expectations and assumptions, says Barbara Kay, LPC, RCC, a … [Read more...] about For personal success, get beyond the words and metacommunicate