By Brenda A. Barnes and Camille Stell While the salary comparisons from 2000 to now may not seem important to your small or mid-size firm, keep in mind the trickle-down effect means: Unrealistic expectations of salary from recent law school graduates As your associates compare salaries with their colleagues at larger firms (who often have lockstep pay, at least for new … [Read more...] about Associate compensation plans: The 20-year salary swing
Working with lawyers
Learn to recognize and avoid burnout
Law office management can be a stressful occupation as it involves financial and compliance responsibilities and balancing the needs of partners, associates, staff and clients in a fast-paced environment. Here are some tips for law office administrators on why they might suffer burnout, how to recognize it, and what they can do to prevent and deal with it. Understand the … [Read more...] about Learn to recognize and avoid burnout
Compliance and conduct rules for selling a law practice
By Brenda A. Barnes Selling the practice is one of the possible routes to law firm succession. For a law office administrator helping create a succession plan, here are some things to consider: According to ABA Rule 1.17 Sale of Law Practice, “A lawyer or a law firm may sell or purchase a law practice or an area of law practice, including goodwill, if the following … [Read more...] about Compliance and conduct rules for selling a law practice
6 tips for remembering names
It’s easy to remember a client's name when you have their appointment details or case file open in front of you. It’s a lot harder when you meet someone away from these paper or electronic prompts. People like to be recognized and remembered. In the office, it’s reassuring for your clients. In other settings, remembering names can help you connect and network with people. In … [Read more...] about 6 tips for remembering names
Tame those office temperature tantrums!
Disputes over office temperature are relatively common among office staff. According to a study conducted by the International Facility Management Association, more than 50% of office workers report being unhappy with the temperature in their workplace. This dissatisfaction can lead to heated disputes or chilly relations among office staff, as people have different preferences … [Read more...] about Tame those office temperature tantrums!
How to compensate managing partners
By Brenda A. Barnes and Camille Stell Law firms are not unlike other professional service firms with regard to how they compensate the leaders of their firms. Historically, the compensation of the managing partner has developed over time and correlates to the role that the partner will play in leading the firm. A successful managing partner compensation plan should include … [Read more...] about How to compensate managing partners
Characteristics of a modern compensation plan for lawyers
By Brenda A. Barnes and Camille Stell A successful compensation plan should reflect shared goals and values. A successful plan also requires trust among the members of the firm. A winning compensation plan aligns the values of the law firm with relevant, up-to-date market data. Here are additional components of a modern compensation plan. Evergreen Compensation plans must be … [Read more...] about Characteristics of a modern compensation plan for lawyers
3 questions to ask in your daily standup meetings
A daily standup meeting can be a highly effective way to keep your staff motivated and moving on important tasks. This 10-minute meeting, used in a variety of workplaces, provides an opportunity for a quick check-in on the day’s priorities. As the name implies, participants stand up—a posture that discourages long discussion. The meeting is so short no one bothers to find a … [Read more...] about 3 questions to ask in your daily standup meetings
Should a lawyer do administrative tasks to save money?
By Elizabeth M. Miller Should a lawyer do administrative tasks to save money? Of course, the answer is no. Struggling business owners will spend time to save money, whereas successful business owners will spend money to save time. Because you can always get more money—you cannot get more time. So, you need to ensure the work you spend your time on makes the biggest … [Read more...] about Should a lawyer do administrative tasks to save money?
Office politics and how it damages your firm
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Office politics can be a problem in any size law firm—from a firm as large as 1000+ to as little as a solo practitioner with 2 staff members. A definition "Office politics" is the use of networking within an organization to further one's own agenda. The word "networking" could easily be interchanged with the word "gossiping". That is office … [Read more...] about Office politics and how it damages your firm