Any firm can lose money to the very partners who are bringing in the most of it. That's because firms measure partner profitability by revenues only, and that doesn't show the full financial picture, says practice management consultant Andra Watkins of Positus Consulting in Charleston, SC. There's also a subjective side to evaluating each partner's contribution. And that … [Read more...] about What’s overshadowing your partnerʼs big revenues?
Working with lawyers
Nine traps to avoid when checking for conflicts
Before a law firm accepts any new file, it must first ensure that no conflict of interest exists. Yet, despite having stringent conflict-checking procedures, conflicts of interest are still a serious problem for many firms. How do your procedures stack up? Do they address these common mistakes? Any firm knows a conflict of interest can result in bad things. … [Read more...] about Nine traps to avoid when checking for conflicts
9 ways to stay neutral (and sane) when reporting to multiple lawyers
The job of managing a law office can be unpredictable, because you often don't have the luxury of answering to just one boss. Instead, there are as many bosses as there are lawyers, and the lawyers don't always get along with one another. For that reason, your survival rests on neutrality, says management consultant Donna R. Gary of Legal Administrative Services in … [Read more...] about 9 ways to stay neutral (and sane) when reporting to multiple lawyers
The forgotten cause of malpractice claims is poor communication
One often ignored cause of malpractice claims is nothing more than poor client communication. People judge their attorneys by the quality of the relationship, explains Nora Bergman, a Tampa attorney and advisor with the Atticus law firm practice management company in Mt. Dora, FL. "That's true of all clients," she says, "whether bluecollar worker or sophisticated banker." They … [Read more...] about The forgotten cause of malpractice claims is poor communication
10 ways managers are improving their law firms
Ah, the woes of running a law office. You know them well: Reams of reports, scheduling squabbles, technology tangles, and so much more. It takes a lot of skill, patience, and strategy to make a law office run smoothly—plus a little bit of help from others who know your pain. That must be why the Reader Tips section of our website is so popular. It contains dozens of solutions … [Read more...] about 10 ways managers are improving their law firms
Regain control of your personal life by setting boundaries on your professional life
"Boundary setting is really a huge part of time management," says performance psychologist and author Jim Loehr. And, arguably, everyone needs to manage time, that precious commodity, in order to experience and enjoy life to the fullest. Yet, how do you set boundaries between your personal and professional life? In today's world of constant connectivity, is it even … [Read more...] about Regain control of your personal life by setting boundaries on your professional life
Use straight talk to solve 4 common people problems in your firm
The key to success as a manager is being up-front with employees. Yet that is what managers are most reluctant to do. They don't want to sit down with a staff member and say, "You are messing up on this, and I cannot allow it to continue." That reluctance is a normal human trait. People don't like confrontation. In fact, one human resources consultant says most of her clients … [Read more...] about Use straight talk to solve 4 common people problems in your firm
4 ways to get the most out of slow summer days
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio Summer is here, and with that the inevitable slow-down of the court dockets as judges and judicial assistants make their escape over summer vacation. There are many ways to make efficient use of this downtime that will benefit the firm and keep you on track to end the year on a successful, and profitable, note. Here are 4 ways to make efficient and … [Read more...] about 4 ways to get the most out of slow summer days
How to improve orientation for your new associates
Bringing in a new associate right out of school requires far more than new business cards and letterhead. Starting the practice of law "is an overwhelming thing for young attorneys," says law firm management consultant Allison C. Hill of Nashville, TN. To perform well, they need extensive help with the nonlegal aspects of the job. She outlines some of the orientation points … [Read more...] about How to improve orientation for your new associates
Some not-so-difficult ways to increase revenue
Need a better bottom line? Don't go the way of most firms and start "stripping the heck out of the operating costs." The real dollars come from increasing revenue. And doing that is often more common sense than magic, says financial consultant Michael R. Marget, managing director of 4L Law Firm Services in Tampa. Get under the payment wire The first and easiest way to … [Read more...] about Some not-so-difficult ways to increase revenue