The American Lawyer's Am Law 100 ranking of the nation's top-grossing law firms revealed only modest growth overall for key financial metrics, the slowest growth among top firms since the Great Recession. Total gross revenue rose 2.7 percent in 2015 as firms struggled with a leveling-off of legal demand and uncertain conditions in global markets, according to the annual report, … [Read more...] about 100 Top-Grossing Law Firms Published by ALM’s The American Lawyer
Working with lawyers
Good communication speeds up the billing
What's the secret to good collections? "It's all about communicating," says Mary Howe of the New York City office of Hughes Hubbard & Reed. And the communicating extends to the attorneys, and clients' billing staffs. When Howe came to the firm, she took on the new position of director of billing and collections. And one of the firm's first directives was to review the … [Read more...] about Good communication speeds up the billing
Managing the Gen X/Y employee
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio If you heard a male employee say "Yo, dude!" to a female employee you'd think the comment (check your choice): Inappropriate; Insulting; Affectionate. Please complete the following sentences: Patience is a ______. Good things come to _____ ___ ____. If you checked "inappropriate" or "insulting" or … [Read more...] about Managing the Gen X/Y employee
How to get poor performers to commit to improved behavior—without confrontation
Perhaps the most difficult part of being a manager is talking to an employee about poor performance. No manager enjoys the confrontation. But poor performance will continue and likely worsen if left unaddressed. Here's an outline of how to take on that most unpleasant job. It's explained by JoAn Majors, a speaker on people skills. Majors is also author of the book, "Encourage … [Read more...] about How to get poor performers to commit to improved behavior—without confrontation
Like a Boss: Talent and playing to your strengths
By Michelle Spencer bio This is the second in my infographics series to help illustrate why good leadership is so important to law firms and how you can create strong leaders on your team. In my earlier infographic, I highlighted the costs of bad management and the important role a boss plays in employee satisfaction. For this infographic, I collected … [Read more...] about Like a Boss: Talent and playing to your strengths
Are you managing your staff or are you mentoring them?
Good managers manage. If this seems like an obvious statement, consider the many areas of the practice you manage: client scheduling, billing and collections, purchasing and leasing, office technology, and others. You also manage a staff. If this, too, seems obvious, ask yourself a question: Have you ever taken the time to think about what "managing a staff" means? Ideally, … [Read more...] about Are you managing your staff or are you mentoring them?
Like a Boss: The High Cost of Bad Management
By Michelle Spencer bio Bosses have the greatest effect on an employee's satisfaction with their job, and employee turnover incurs considerable hard and soft costs. This has great significance for law firms, where many attorneys lead legal teams, and there is a high percentage of bosses. Management in law offices need to be especially mindful of these webs of unofficial … [Read more...] about Like a Boss: The High Cost of Bad Management
Want to build a creative, innovative, and quality team in your workplace? Columbia Business School study recommends diversity
The current outcry for more diversity in the entertainment industry has fueled interest in how to increase diversity in the workplace. Amidst the ongoing backlash facing the 2016 Oscar awards for a lack of diversity in nominees and voting members, ABC television recently announced that it has promoted the first African-American to oversee a major broadcast network in the United … [Read more...] about Want to build a creative, innovative, and quality team in your workplace? Columbia Business School study recommends diversity
Professionals want work-life balance. Here’s how to help them (and you) achieve it
Will 2016 be the year of work-life balance? According to new research from staffing firm Robert Half, 54 percent of professionals have increased their commitment to their personal life over the last year. Thirty-eight percent of those polled said they are more committed to their career, and 34 percent cited additional dedication to their job. Older professionals are just not … [Read more...] about Professionals want work-life balance. Here’s how to help them (and you) achieve it
How to stop being a “hit and run” supervisor
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D, SPHR bio How many times have you left the scene of a hit and run employee accident? Have you dented any employee fenders this month? What did it cost you? When hit and run supervisors spot problem situations, they race to the scene, take fast action and speed away, not realizing they may have left one or more employee casualties in their … [Read more...] about How to stop being a “hit and run” supervisor