The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) has released its 2016 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms based on the recent analyses of the 2016-2017 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE)—the annual compendium of legal employer data published by NALP. Women and Black/African-Americans made small gains in representation at major U.S. law firms in 2016 compared with … [Read more...] about Diversity in law firms: Women and Black/African-American associates still below pre-recession numbers
Working with lawyers
Are your employees resolving to leave you in 2017?
A new year means new beginnings, new opportunities, new resolutions, and for some workers, a new job. According to a new CareerBuilder survey, more than one in five workers (22 percent) are planning to change jobs in 2017, similar to last year (21 percent). Among younger workers, the numbers are even higher. More than a third of workers ages 18 to 34 (35 percent) expect to … [Read more...] about Are your employees resolving to leave you in 2017?
22 questions a manager should ask before firing an employee
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio The final revenge of the fired employee: The manager makes an unwitting but critical mistake that unravels the firing decision or results in a painful payout to the employee. If you'd like to fire an employee without backfire, you need to consider good faith and just cause, then ask yourself twenty-two questions. Good faith … [Read more...] about 22 questions a manager should ask before firing an employee
Litigation expected to drive hiring in first half of 2017
The legal field is expected to see steady hiring with litigation projected to yield the greatest job prospects. One-quarter of lawyers interviewed by Robert Half Legal predict that their law firms or companies will add legal jobs in the first half of 2017. This compares to 31 percent six months ago and 24 percent one year ago. Fifty-nine percent of lawyers said they plan to … [Read more...] about Litigation expected to drive hiring in first half of 2017
A surprising downside to merit-based promotions
A new study finds that the age gap between older workers and younger supervisors is linked to the frequency of emotions such as "anger, fear, and disgust" among older subordinates, and that more frequent negative emotions of this type are associated with lower company performance in areas such as financial results, growth, efficiency, and return on assets. This is in part due … [Read more...] about A surprising downside to merit-based promotions
8 work-saving email tips for busy office managers
Communicating via email saves time. Yes or no? If you're feeling overwhelmed by your inbox, your answer is likely to be no. The sheer volume makes it difficult to manage email which, despite the proliferation of other technologies such as social media and text messaging, continues to invade your electronic workspace daily. Today's office worker sends or receives an … [Read more...] about 8 work-saving email tips for busy office managers
How to handle the Christmas bonus
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Do you know the Christmas movie classic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? Chevy Chase plays Clark Griswold, a corporate grunt who is so sure he will get a Christmas bonus that he puts down a non-refundable deposit on an in-ground swimming pool for his family. However, Griswold discovers on Christmas Eve—when his bonus arrives a few days later … [Read more...] about How to handle the Christmas bonus
10 rules for getting good press and new clients along with it
To get new business, your law firm has to be the first place the client calls. To make the call, the client has to know your firm's name. To know your firm's name, the client has to see it over and over in the media. Media coverage is good free marketing, says Pam Lontos, president of Pam Lontos Consulting in Orlando. But to be of any value, it has to be repeated. "Because … [Read more...] about 10 rules for getting good press and new clients along with it
Holiday gift-giving guide: office edition
To gift or not to gift at work? That is the question many employees ask during the holiday season. In a survey from staffing firm Accountemps, the majority of human resources (HR) managers said it is acceptable for employees and managers to exchange presents in the office. Sixty-three percent of respondents noted it's appropriate for supervisors to give their staff a holiday … [Read more...] about Holiday gift-giving guide: office edition
5 trust account errors that will get a firm in trouble
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio There have been recent reports of law firm trust accounts being involved in money laundering. Maintaining and managing a trust account is regulated by local bar rules. The main reason for this is that the funds do not belong to the firm. Trust monies are client funds deposited with a law firm intended to be used for the benefit of the client. I … [Read more...] about 5 trust account errors that will get a firm in trouble