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Home » Client relations
MANAGING STAFF

How to handle a scamming, scheming staffer

May 26, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry Question: I run a small firm. When I advertised for a new hire, I didn’t find anyone who had the right skill set. “Will” applied. Although he lacked the skills I sought, he interviewed well and said he was willing to learn everything necessary to become my No. 1 employee. I took a chance on him and invested months in training him. He shadowed me, developed rapport with my key clients, and learned strategies I’d spent 20 years developing. We had one skirmish. When he found out how much I was paying his predecessor, he lobbied fiercely for a raise. Although his work didn’t justify the salary I was already paying him, he had good natural talent and I didn’t want to start over with a new… . . . read more

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INCREASING PROFITS

6 essential tips for law office administrators to attract more clients

May 26, 2023 by

As a law office administrator, one of your key responsibilities is to ensure the growth and success of your firm. A crucial aspect of achieving this goal is consistently attracting new clients. In an increasingly competitive legal landscape, it’s essential to employ effective strategies that can help your law office stand out. Consider these tips to help you gain more clients and enhance the reputation of your law firm. Develop a Strong Online Presence: In today’s digital age, having a robust online presence is imperative for any business, including law firms. Create a professional and user-friendly website that highlights your firm’s expertise, practice areas, and contact information. Optimize your website for search engines to improve its visibility. Leverage social media platforms to engage with potential clients, share informative content, and… . . . read more

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YOUR CAREER

Cultivate these 7 habits for success

May 2, 2023 by

As an office manager, you are responsible for the efficient operation of your workplace. Your role requires you to balance multiple tasks, manage diverse teams, and keep things organized. To become a highly effective office manager, you can take inspiration from Stephen Covey’s timeless book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Here are some tips based on Covey’s teachings to help you excel in your role: Be Proactive—Being proactive means taking charge of your actions and outcomes. As an office manager, you have the power to influence how your workplace functions. You can start by identifying the key challenges and opportunities in your workplace and taking proactive steps to address them. For instance, if you notice that communication is a problem, you can set up regular team meetings, implement… . . . read more

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Make your office welcoming and inclusive for clients with disabilities

April 18, 2023 by

As a law office manager, it’s essential that you create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all clients, including those with disabilities. It’s important to understand that people with disabilities face unique challenges, and it’s your responsibility to ensure that they feel comfortable and respected when interacting with your office. Here are some tips to help you improve your etiquette when dealing with persons with disabilities: Use appropriate language: Always use appropriate language when referring to persons with disabilities. Avoid terms that are outdated or offensive, such as “handicapped” or “crippled.” Instead, use person-first language, which puts the person before their disability. For example, instead of saying “disabled person,” say “person with a disability.” Don’t make assumptions: Don’t assume that you know what a person with a disability needs or… . . . read more

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INCREASING PROFITS

5 ways to keep the referrals rolling in

April 12, 2023 by

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 are more likely to refer you to their friends, family, and colleagues. Make sure that your firm is providing top-notch service to all of your clients, and encourage your attorneys to go above and beyond in their interactions with clients. Ask for referrals Don’t be afraid to ask your clients for referrals. If a client expresses satisfaction with the service they have received from your… . . . read more

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TOOL

Model Policy: Office Room Temperature

March 20, 2023 by

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for maintaining a comfortable and productive work environment for all staff and clients by regulating the temperature in the law office. By implementing this office temperature policy, the law office aims to maintain a comfortable and productive work environment for all staff and clients. Consistent communication, monitoring, and maintenance of the HVAC system, and accommodating individual needs will contribute to the success of this policy.

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YOUR CAREER

Do you just open your mouth and let the words fly?

December 11, 2022 by

By Lynne Curry When you’re upset with another person, do you open your mouth and let your emotions erupt and words fly? If you want to resolve an interpersonal conflict, you can’t afford to blast the other person. While you may feel vindicated, you risk the other person attacking back, getting defensive or shutting down If you want things to become better and not worse between you and the other person, learn to tackle yourself first, open the conversational door to the other person, remain results-focused, word your thoughts so they can be heard, and admit your part in the problem. Tackle yourself before you slam the other person When you’re upset, adrenaline can hit you like a wave. Don’t let it swamp you and torpedo your chances of attaining… . . . read more

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INCREASING PROFITS

12 MORE marketing secrets of superstar lawyers

July 27, 2022 by

By Trey Ryder #13: They provide client service beyond compare. They return phone calls quickly. They work day and night to finish projects. They have backup plans for their backup plans. They err on the side of caution. They hire a bright, responsive support staff. And they always go the extra mile. Whatever it takes, they get the job done. And the superstar’s staff is equally committed to bring the client the best result on time, on budget. #14: They make sure everybody knows they welcome new business. One obstacle successful lawyers face is that other lawyers think they don’t want new clients. As a result, they quit referring cases. When prospecting for new clients, superstar lawyers know it is far better to receive too many inquiries than too few. They make… . . . read more

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PRODUCTIVITY

Technical issues and too many participants are biggest virtual meeting pet peeves

November 28, 2020 by

Have you had about enough of video meetings? If so, you’re not alone. A new study by global staffing firm Robert Half shows video calls may be wearing on workers. Almost three-quarters of professionals surveyed (72 per cent) said they participate in virtual meetings. Those respondents reported spending about a quarter of their workday (24 per cent) on camera with business contacts or colleagues. In addition: 44 per cent said they’ve experienced video call fatigue since the start of the pandemic. 59 per cent said video calls can be helpful but are not always necessary. 22 per cent noted that the practicality and novelty of video conferencing has worn off over the past eight months. 15 per cent confirmed they find virtual meetings inefficient and exhausting and prefer to communicate via… . . . read more

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TOOL

Model visitors’ waiver of COVID-19 infection liability form

October 21, 2020 by

As long as COVID-19 remains a threat, you run the risk of being sued by clients, vendors, guests and other visitors (“visitors”) who claim they contracted the virus at your office as a result of your inadequate safety measures. One way to limit liability is having visitors sign a form agreeing to waive their rights to sue you for COVID-19 infections before entering the office. Although there’s no guarantee that a court would enforce such a waiver, the Model Form below uses fairly conservative language that has been found to be enforceable in other situations. Caveat: The inclusion of the phrase purporting to insulate you against your own negligence in Sections 3 and 4 is fairly risky and you may want to talk to counsel about whether to use it… . . . read more

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