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
Working with lawyers
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
Marketing your practice: How to attract more clients by positioning your attorneys as “thought leaders”
The attorneys in your practice are more than knowledgeable; they are thought leaders in the legal field. So why not share their expertise, and market the practice in the process? Seeking information People actively seek legal information. Indeed, legal websites are highly popular, books offering legal advice sell well, and television shows like "Law & Order" have found new … [Read more...] about Marketing your practice: How to attract more clients by positioning your attorneys as “thought leaders”
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
4 ways you are apologizing wrong
By Stacey Hanke bio Apologies are something we love to receive and hate to give. And especially as a leader, they are tough. They require a great deal of humility, which challenge your pride and ego. They are an open admission of failure and wrongdoing, but when delivered with sincerity, they hold power with your team. Unfortunately, too many leaders give superficial … [Read more...] about 4 ways you are apologizing wrong
Entry-level law firm recruiting activity remains strong
The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) has released its annual Perspectives on 2018 Law Student Recruiting report, showing that law firm recruiting activity in 2018 was brisk, with offer rates coming out of summer programs reaching an historic high. On many other metrics, Big Law Recruiting volume and practices resembled those measured before the recession. The full … [Read more...] about Entry-level law firm recruiting activity remains strong