Law Office Manager

Managing the office

Protect Your Firm from Ethical Risks with an Effective Conflict Checking Process

Conflict checking is a crucial process for a law office manager, ensuring that the firm avoids any conflicts of interest that could jeopardize client trust or violate legal ethics. Here’s a breakdown of how to manage the conflict checking process efficiently: 1. Understand the Importance of Conflict Checking Conflict checks help ensure that the law firm … [Read more...] about Protect Your Firm from Ethical Risks with an Effective Conflict Checking Process

When the Partners Don’t Agree: Staying Neutral Without Getting Stuck

Tips for handling conflict among firm leadership without getting pulled into the middle Conflicting personalities and competing priorities between law firm partners can create tension that trickles down to you. One wants to hire more staff, another wants to tighten the budget. One is pushing for a new case management system, another insists the current one is fine. Meanwhile, … [Read more...] about When the Partners Don’t Agree: Staying Neutral Without Getting Stuck

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

Why Every Office Manager Should Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

You’re the hub of activity and the go-to problem solver when you are an office manager. You’ve probably answered the same questions more times than you can count or had to troubleshoot chaos when key team members were out of the office. These scenarios—and many more—underscore the critical need for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in your office. SOPs might not sound … [Read more...] about Why Every Office Manager Should Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

July Is a Great Month to… Tackle What Gets Overlooked the Rest of the Year

Let’s be honest—law office life moves at lightning speed most of the year. There are deadlines to meet, clients to serve, and a constant shuffle of priorities. But July? July is different. The courts slow down, partners take vacations, and the calendar loosens just enough to give you some breathing room. That makes this the perfect month to catch up on the things that always … [Read more...] about July Is a Great Month to… Tackle What Gets Overlooked the Rest of the Year

What Your Parking Lot Says About Your Law Office—And Why Clients Notice

Your law office might pride itself on professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail. But before your receptionist greets a single client, before any papers are signed or any legal advice is given, your parking lot has already made an impression. It may not be glamorous, but a law office’s parking lot is often the first and last thing clients experience. And … [Read more...] about What Your Parking Lot Says About Your Law Office—And Why Clients Notice

Points to make in your law firm parking policy

With convenience, safety and even prestige at stake, the law office parking lot can be the topic—and scene—of disputes. One way to keep things relatively civil is to establish a parking space policy. Here are some key points to cover in a policy. Space Allocation: Determine how parking spaces will be allocated within the firm's premises. Consider factors such as the total … [Read more...] about Points to make in your law firm parking policy

7 Ways to Manage the Midnight Pings

You’re brushing your teeth. Your phone buzzes. It’s your boss. You’re making dinner. Ping. Still your boss.You’re in bed, face mask on, finally relaxed. Ding. Guess who? If your boss seems to believe that email has no off-switch, you’re not alone. In today’s hyper-connected world, the line between “at work” and “off-duty” can blur fast—especially when the … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Manage the Midnight Pings

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