The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance recently announced that the percentage of women promoted to partnership in 2016 in the U.S. offices of many of the nation's largest law firms has reached a five-year high of 37.3 percent. This number has steadily increased from 33 percent in 2012, aside from a one-year dip to 32 percent in 2014, and is up nearly 3 percentage points from … [Read more...] about Law firms promote more women to partnership in 2016
Working with lawyers
A self evaluation plus a quiz on the handbook
A New Jersey office has increased staff morale as well as performance with an online self evaluation survey. And along with that, it’s working to ensure all the staff know all the rules by setting up an online handbook quiz. First, the self-evaluation survey Michele Adams, office manager for Powers Kirn in Moorestown, NJ, began the self evaluation surveying a few months after … [Read more...] about A self evaluation plus a quiz on the handbook
Hold an open house and keep clients happy and referrals flowing
An open house can be effective for maintaining existing clients and keeping the referral sources sending the referrals. It makes people feel at home and get a feel for what the firm does. But an open house takes marketing skill. Success depends on where it's held, the hellos and goodbyes, the food and even what everyone wears. The when and where of it all The day: The … [Read more...] about Hold an open house and keep clients happy and referrals flowing
Should you put a lid on political talk in the office?
The current presidential campaign is certainly intriguing. Who doesn't have an opinion about a recent rally, debate, or OpEd? No doubt your staff members do. But do you want them to voice these opinions at the office? With political sentiments high—and getting higher—one issue that managers face is how to keep the discussions between staff members from becoming heated to the … [Read more...] about Should you put a lid on political talk in the office?
Decoding workplace personality conflicts
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio No one told you when you accepted a law office manager job that your primary role would be that of peacemaker. You thought you'd be overseeing systems and finances; that the major hiccups you'd have to resolve would be ones involving computers and upset clients. Not even close. Instead, you put out people fires daily. The players … [Read more...] about Decoding workplace personality conflicts
Are the expressions you use dating you?
Certain expressions immediately make people think of another era. Among these are the cat's pajamas, the apple of my eye, hold your horses, and a feather in your cap. Perhaps your parents or grandparents peppered their conversations with these expressions; if so, these sayings, while outdated, might make you smile. However, it's unlikely you'd tell an employee that an … [Read more...] about Are the expressions you use dating you?
4 easy strategies for remembering names and passwords
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio Which problem fits you? Your practice has grown and you don't remember the names of all the employees and you realize this hurts some employees' feelings; Several of the sites you regularly access ask you to change passwords monthly and you have a hard time remembering the newer passwords; Several long-time … [Read more...] about 4 easy strategies for remembering names and passwords
Survey: Nearly one-quarter of law firms plan to boost lateral hiring in next two years
The legal field may see a lift in lateral hiring in the months ahead. More than half (58 percent) of lawyers recently interviewed by Robert Half Legal said lateral hiring is an effective strategy for improving firm revenue. Nearly one-quarter (23 percent) of lawyers said their law firm will increase its hiring of partner- or senior-level attorneys in the next two years. The … [Read more...] about Survey: Nearly one-quarter of law firms plan to boost lateral hiring in next two years
How to disagree with your friends about politics and keep them too
In past elections, our front yards, T-shirts, car bumpers and water cooler conversations proudly campaigned for the presidential candidate of our choice. In 2016, most were afraid to utter the name of the person they planned to vote for on November 8. Research by Joseph Grenny and David Maxfield, cofounders of VitalSmarts and the authors of the business bestseller Crucial … [Read more...] about How to disagree with your friends about politics and keep them too
Resolving the “Going Paperless” dilemma in 3 steps
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio The concept of going paperless seems overwhelming for law firms. This is one of those things where you conjure up in your mind all the added work that it is going to take to go paperless, and you decide that it is more time efficient to keep things just the way they are. The next time you are looking for a file as you are rushing out the … [Read more...] about Resolving the “Going Paperless” dilemma in 3 steps