Want to see more profit in 2024? Get each attorney to draw up a practice plan for the year. A plan forces the attorneys to organize their work agenda by focusing on practice development, production, and self-improvement. What’s more, it ensures that everybody does work that furthers the firm’s goals, it keeps the marketing focused, and it keeps the collections in line. Use … [Read more...] about Can every attorney in your office answer these 10 critical questions for 2024?
Working with lawyers
5 ways to make a great first impression
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So it's important to consider what judgment calls your clients are making about your firm's efficiency and professionalism based on their first impression. Balancing a client's perception of your firm's success, and therefore its competency, can be a double-edged … [Read more...] about 5 ways to make a great first impression
5 ways to keep the referrals rolling in
Referrals can be a powerful source of new clients, and they can help you build a strong reputation in your community. Here are some tips on how to get referrals for your law firm: Provide excellent service The first step to getting referrals is to provide excellent service to your current clients. When clients are happy with the service they receive from your firm, they … [Read more...] about 5 ways to keep the referrals rolling in
Touchy situation: Our CEO has memory issues
By Lynne Curry Question: Our company’s owner and his wife have semi-retired and leave for their vacation home every October. They hired a general manager in September after a long search for the right candidate. Our owner was so excited to find this candidate, given his industry experience and track record, that he paid the man and his family’s expenses to move to our … [Read more...] about Touchy situation: Our CEO has memory issues
Points to make in your law firm parking policy
With convenience, safety and even prestige at stake, the law office parking lot can be the topic—and scene—of disputes. One way to keep things relatively civil is to establish a parking space policy. Here are some key points to cover in a policy. Space Allocation: Determine how parking spaces will be allocated within the firm's premises. Consider factors such as the total … [Read more...] about Points to make in your law firm parking policy
EEOC proposes updated workplace harassment guidance to protect worker
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has proposed new guidance on harassment in the workplace. Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace was published in the federal register Oct. 2, and public comment period is closing Nov. 1. The EEOC first released a proposed guidance on workplace harassment for public comment in 2017, but it was not … [Read more...] about EEOC proposes updated workplace harassment guidance to protect worker
The Israel/Hamas conflict rocks our workplace
By Lynne Curry Question: I supervise a tight-knit team of professionals that work hard and play hard. To describe them as intense would be an understatement. They all care about current events and their heated discussions add spice to the workday. Even more important, their commitment to improving the world is core to why they’re willing to work for low salaries in our small … [Read more...] about The Israel/Hamas conflict rocks our workplace
You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
By Lynne Curry Question: I’m a partner in a professional services firm. We barely survived the pandemic and only because we furloughed all nonessential employees. Those of us who were partners worked unpaid part of the time. We kept ourselves going by promising ourselves that “things would get back to normal.” Our company recovered slowly. We rehired many of the employees we … [Read more...] about You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
Start planning now for a smooth holiday season
As autumn colors the landscape, the winter holiday season seems far away. But it's not too soon to plan for the smooth operation of your practice during the festive time. Here are some tasks you should get to soon: Planning and communicating holiday schedules Establishing Clear Holiday Schedules: The first step in effective holiday scheduling is crafting a clear and … [Read more...] about Start planning now for a smooth holiday season
15 projects for the last quarter of the year
Running out of things to do? Just kidding. But in case you are, here are some projects to consider for the last quarter of the year. Financial Review and Budgeting: a. Review the year-to-date financial statements to assess the firm's financial health. b. Prepare a budget for the upcoming year, considering revenue, expenses, and capital investments. c. Ensure all client … [Read more...] about 15 projects for the last quarter of the year