As a law office administrator, your role is crucial in ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the firm. To achieve this, it is essential to monitor and evaluate the performance of the law office regularly. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are indispensable tools that enable you to measure various aspects of the law office's performance. By tracking these KPIs, you … [Read more...] about Monitor these Key Performance Indicators for success
Recordkeeping
Administrator a key player in firm’s ethics and integrity
A law office administrator plays a vital role in maintaining the ethical standards and integrity of the firm. Your responsibilities encompass a range of tasks that have a direct impact on the firm's reputation, client relationships, and overall success. Here are key ethical considerations that should guide your actions and decisions as a law office … [Read more...] about Administrator a key player in firm’s ethics and integrity
7 steps to effective document management
In the legal industry, documents serve as the lifeblood of cases, transactions, and client relationships. Efficient document management ensures that crucial information is easily accessible, reducing the risk of errors and missed deadlines. Moreover, a well-organized document system enhances collaboration among team members, fosters compliance with legal requirements, and … [Read more...] about 7 steps to effective document management
18 ways your firm can run afoul of the law and regulations
It's crucial to ensure that the law firm operates within the boundaries of the law and adheres to relevant regulations. Running afoul of the law can have serious consequences for the firm's reputation, finances, and even legal standing. Here are some, but not all, the ways a law office can get into trouble with the law and regulations: Unauthorized Practice of Law: … [Read more...] about 18 ways your firm can run afoul of the law and regulations
6 tips for choosing legal practice management software
By Diane Camacho There continues to be a tremendous push in the legal community from practice management software companies. This has evolved from the use of cloud-based software. What should practice management software do for you? Keep all your client information in one place. Keep all your information available to you on the go. Allow you to enter your … [Read more...] about 6 tips for choosing legal practice management software
Take advantage of case management software benefits
By Elizabeth Miller bio Case management software is now so popular in law firms that it is rare to hear of a firm that does not have it. The problem is that even though firms have the software, they don’t take advantage of all the benefits. Managing incoming leads and cases Give your law firm an advantage over other firms by providing potential clients with an exceptional … [Read more...] about Take advantage of case management software benefits
4 bad financial habits that may increase your policy premiums and your malpractice risk
Ineffective billing and collections practices affect more than the bottom line. They ultimately may determine what the firm has to pay for malpractice coverage. To an underwriter, poor financial habits are just like poor legal habits—they spell high risk for malpractice claims, says Dan Knise, president and CEO of Ames & Gough, a McClean, VA, specialty insurance broker. If … [Read more...] about 4 bad financial habits that may increase your policy premiums and your malpractice risk
A guide to understanding financial data
Law practice owners, especially those operating smaller firms, tend not to be super-knowledgeable about financial statements and the financial state of their operations, according to Brenda M. Clarke, a partner at Seigneur Gustafson LLP in Lakewood, CO. "They look to their staff, their office managers, their (financial) controllers, to help guide them," says Clarke, adding … [Read more...] about A guide to understanding financial data
How and why you need to carefully screen cold calls from potential new clients
What's your firm's process for dealing with a potential new client? What happens when someone sends the firm an email asking for a quote for a real estate transaction or when a frantic caller leaves a long, detailed voice mail message about why she wasn't to blame for the fatal car crash being covered on the morning news? Who takes the call? How are calls prioritized? And is … [Read more...] about How and why you need to carefully screen cold calls from potential new clients
Nine traps to avoid when checking for conflicts
Before a law firm accepts any new file, it must first ensure that no conflict of interest exists. Yet, despite having stringent conflict-checking procedures, conflicts of interest are still a serious problem for many firms. How do your procedures stack up? Do they address these common mistakes? Any firm knows a conflict of interest can result in bad things. … [Read more...] about Nine traps to avoid when checking for conflicts