By Steve M. Cohen bio It might sound obvious, but being a key employee, especially a top-level manager, requires above all organizational loyalty. Yet in many businesses, some employees are working at cross proposes with their firm. Let's assume that your organization has an objective, probably something articulated in your mission and vision statement. This … [Read more...] about In the office, your cooperation is mandatory, not optional
Working with lawyers
Creating a peaceful office environment
Law firms are usually hired to handle contentious issues, but that doesn't mean the workplace itself needs to be fraught with conflict. If you're wishing for peace in the firm, there are a few things you can do that can have a significant impact. It goes without saying that office conflict, poor attitudes, and negative staffers undermine peace and tranquility. But any bad … [Read more...] about Creating a peaceful office environment
National Love Your Lawyer Day
If your clients suddenly start hugging the lawyers in your office, don't be alarmed—but do check your calendar. If it's the first Friday in November, then your clients are just enthusiastically embracing National Love Your Lawyer Day and are letting their favorite legal eagle know how much they love and appreciate them. Yes, there is such a thing as National Love Your Lawyer … [Read more...] about National Love Your Lawyer Day
Technology Update: 8 tools you can use now to work better, faster, and safer
The 2015 Pacific Legal Technology Conference held recently in Vancouver, British Columbia covered a host of big picture topics essential to everyone in today's legal profession. Presenters and exhibitors discussed practice management tools, technology in court, and the strategic reinvention of the law firm. And of course the big concern of the day, security, was the subject of … [Read more...] about Technology Update: 8 tools you can use now to work better, faster, and safer
5 tricks to surviving and thriving in a highly political office
A law office is filled with many different personalities and many different dynamics. With those differences come office politics. And with the politics the manager can become a casualty. Here are the solutions to five situations where politics and personalities come into play. They are outlined by Margaret Hintz, SPHR, manager of HR services for Insperity, an Atlanta human … [Read more...] about 5 tricks to surviving and thriving in a highly political office
Good managers must always watch for bad behavior
By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm sure that many office managers sometimes feel like a Kindergarten teacher. Even with the best team, there's always one or two people who rub each other the wrong way or seem to have more than their share of complaints—either complaints about what they do or say, or what others do or say to them. Ultimately, no one can promise you much more than … [Read more...] about Good managers must always watch for bad behavior
Average starting salaries for legal jobs projected to rise 3.1 percent in 2016
Starting salaries for legal professionals in the United States are expected to increase 3.1 percent overall in 2016, according to the just-released Robert Half Legal 2016 Salary Guide. Law firm attorneys with four-plus years of professional experience should see greater-than-average salary gains. Among legal specialists, compliance directors are expected to see the largest … [Read more...] about Average starting salaries for legal jobs projected to rise 3.1 percent in 2016
5 proven ways to spot and avoid hiring potentially “toxic employees” … and what to do if you already have them
Got toxins in the office? Toxins are people who cause dissent. They undermine people. They create an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. They kill the camaraderie. They are toxic because they cause enough misery to force worthwhile staffers to leave. Law firms are notorious for putting up with toxic people at both the attorney and staff levels. Professional people are not … [Read more...] about 5 proven ways to spot and avoid hiring potentially “toxic employees” … and what to do if you already have them
How to survive the coming competition
By Ron Friedmann bio Many in the legal market talk about a "New Normal" where margin pressure is the norm. Is this true, and does it matter? Yes, and here's why. Clients Want Value. Although BigLaw continues to prosper, it faces new competition. Clients want value and they now have market power, so they buy from alternatives to large firms. Clients Bring Work … [Read more...] about How to survive the coming competition
Scarcity marketing: How playing hard to get may win you new clients
Want clients to appreciate the value of the firm's services? "Make the services hard to get but easy to buy." says Trey Ryder, a law firm marketing consultant in Payson, AZ. Give the appearance of being in high demand with limited time available and let people know they are competing for a limited resource. It's called marketing with scarcity, and there's good psychology to … [Read more...] about Scarcity marketing: How playing hard to get may win you new clients