Law Office Manager

Managing the office

Use a standard calendar entry format firm-wide

Once you've established a policy that all calendar events are to be entered into your centralized calendar system, go one step further and create a standard entry format. After all, there's no point having a calendar that everyone can access if only a handful of people can understand the entries. Here's one format you can implement: [Professional's initials] – [Case]: [Manner … [Read more...] about Use a standard calendar entry format firm-wide

How to get maximum impact from business cards, brochures and other printed advertising

How your law practice presents itself is extremely important – and while you might not think much about marketing, a little attention to it can go a long way toward creating a favorable impression. Why go there? Printed marketing material not only helps convey an image, or what marketers call brand identity, it allows for sharing information. What's more, printed material is … [Read more...] about How to get maximum impact from business cards, brochures and other printed advertising

Model Policy: Telecommuting

Why you need this policy: Telecommuting offers significant business advantages to a law firm. But it also comes with some liability challenges for employers who choose to offer telecommuting. How this policy helps you: The best way to avoid the 8 pitfalls of telecommuting is to establish a policy that sets out clearly the arrangement, the expectations and the criteria for … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Telecommuting

HR law and employee social networking

Can you discipline employees for social networking offenses? Answer: It depends. Explanation: Frittering away time, disclosing patient records, bad mouthing the practice and other offenses are grounds for discipline when they occur "off line." So why should it make a difference if employees do these things online while social networking? In theory, it shouldn't. The … [Read more...] about HR law and employee social networking

Model Tool: New matter intake form

Why you need this form: Before accepting a new matter from an existing client, you should obtain as much information about the new case as possible. This process, known as "case screening," can help you avoid many potential problems. How this form helps you: The New Matter Intake Form will not only help you quickly identify whether or not the subject matter is within your area … [Read more...] about Model Tool: New matter intake form

Model Tool: New client intake form

Why you need this form: Before accepting a client, you should obtain as much information about both the client and the subject matter as possible. This process, known as "client screening" can help you avoid many potential problems. How this form helps you: The New Client Intake Form will not only help you quickly identify whether or not the subject matter is within your area … [Read more...] about Model Tool: New client intake form

How cultural differences complicate sexual harassment issues

By Steve M. Cohen bio You are probably tired of hearing about it, but some people never seem to understand that sexual harassment is not ok. "No" really does mean "no," and the workplace is not a singles' bar. Sexual harassment can also be a form of bullying or predatory behavior. In any form, sexual harassment is not acceptable and organizations that fail to deal with it make … [Read more...] about How cultural differences complicate sexual harassment issues

Georgia manager develops “how-to” manual that makes employee orientation easy

A Georgia administrator has set up an office manual that thoroughly trains every new staffer and attorney in every aspect of office operations. Having the business information in writing means newcomers don't interrupt other people or waste their own time asking about day-to-day things, says the administrator of the three-attorney, 13 staff firm. In a law firm, time is money, … [Read more...] about Georgia manager develops “how-to” manual that makes employee orientation easy