By Elizabeth M. Miller bio There have been recent reports of law firm trust accounts being involved in money laundering. Maintaining and managing a trust account is regulated by local bar rules. The main reason for this is that the funds do not belong to the firm. Trust monies are client funds deposited with a law firm intended to be used for the benefit of the client. I … [Read more...] about 5 trust account errors that will get a firm in trouble
Managing the office
This year’s craziest excuses for calling in sick
While calling in sick, when you are feeling just fine, is not a new phenomenon in the office, fewer workers say they have done it over the last 12 months, says a recently released survey from CareerBuilder. Slightly more than a third of workers (35 percent) said they have called in to work sick when they were feeling just fine, down from 38 percent last year. More than 3,100 … [Read more...] about This year’s craziest excuses for calling in sick
Law firms promote more women to partnership in 2016
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
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
Survey: Most workers happy with managers but don’t want the role themselves
Many employees like their bosses, but managers still have much work to do, according to new research from staffing firm Accountemps. Nearly two in three workers (64 percent) said they are happy with their supervisors, and another 29 percent are somewhat happy with their bosses. Only eight percent of workers give their manager a thumbs down. Yet, despite generally positive … [Read more...] about Survey: Most workers happy with managers but don’t want the role themselves
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?
Pop Quiz: How well do you understand the new FLSA overtime rules?
Sandra Hoyle-Smith, SPHR of B2 Management & Consulting recently gave a webinar to Law Office Manager subscribers outlining the new FLSA (Fair Labor Standard's Act) overtime rules and how these changes will affect law office staff. What's changing Effective December 1, 2016, the minimum salary level for non-exempt employees is increasing. What this means for law firms is … [Read more...] about Pop Quiz: How well do you understand the new FLSA overtime rules?
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
Job interviews: How to ask personal questions without committing discrimination
The job interview process is a breeding ground for discrimination complaints. One common mistake: asking job applicants inappropriate questions about their nationality, marital status, religion, disabilities and other characteristics that discrimination laws ban you from considering when making hiring decisions. Applicants on the receiving end of such questions are apt to … [Read more...] about Job interviews: How to ask personal questions without committing discrimination