Business development is not typically the first thing that comes to mind for many lawyers, whose primary focus is often on legal expertise and client representation. However, in today's competitive legal landscape, developing a business mindset is essential for both individual career growth and the success of a law office. As a law office administrator, you can play a pivotal … [Read more...] about Fostering a business development mindset: Empowering lawyers in your office
Working with lawyers
5 ways to help your team members overcome burnout
The last several years have been rough on everyone in the workplace, including law offices. Chances are someone on your team has had enough of the pressures from work, family, finances, the public health emergency and other turmoil in society. As a manager, you want to help. Here are four ideas to get you started: Help organize and prioritize work into manageable and … [Read more...] about 5 ways to help your team members overcome burnout
Flex-retirement: A win-win strategy for employee retention
Employee retention is not only a cost-effective strategy, but it also helps maintain institutional knowledge and ensures a smoother transition when team members retire. One innovative approach that can facilitate this transition and keep experienced staff on board is "flex-retirement." What Is Flex-Retirement? Flex-retirement, also known as flexible retirement, is a workplace … [Read more...] about Flex-retirement: A win-win strategy for employee retention
Common partner compensation systems
By Brenda A. Barnes and Camille Stell Partner compensation is probably one of the most sensitive aspects of a law firm’s practice management. Whether you are adopting a new system or modifying the current one, there must be an extraordinary amount of thought, care, and study. Systems are either non-performance-based systems or performance-based systems. Here are the … [Read more...] about Common partner compensation systems
5 law firm billing practices for better cash flow
By Brenda Barnes It’s probably not a big surprise that if your firm does not have sound billing and collection practices, your cash flow will suffer. It also probably goes without saying that when cash flow suffers so does partner compensation. How can you tighten this up? First and foremost, you need to have solid billing policies that are agreed upon and followed! … [Read more...] about 5 law firm billing practices for better cash flow
Women now majority of associates, record gains in partnerships
For the first time in the history of the US legal industry, the majority of associates are women, and women have also made record gains in achieving law firm partnerships. NALP has released its annual Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms, available at www.nalp.org/reportondiversity. The report, based on information from the 2023 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE), … [Read more...] about Women now majority of associates, record gains in partnerships
You should learn your way around office politics
By Lynne Curry Question: I like my new job, my supervisor, and my coworkers, except for a woman I’ve nicknamed “the queen.” The problem began as soon as my first all-hands meeting ended. Several of my coworkers invited me to have drinks with them after work. The queen overhead because she and I were heading into a pre-planned meeting that lasted until the end of the … [Read more...] about You should learn your way around office politics
How to craft an effective lawyer bio
A well-crafted lawyer bio is an essential tool for showcasing the expertise and experience of your firm's attorneys. It serves as a powerful marketing and credibility-building asset, helping potential clients and colleagues understand the qualifications and background of your legal professionals. As a law office administrator, you play a crucial role in assisting lawyers in … [Read more...] about How to craft an effective lawyer bio
Report: Productivity surges as legal industry embraces AI
Clio, the world’s leading provider of cloud-based legal technology, has released its 2023 Legal Trends Report, revealing a remarkable increase in law firm productivity as technology adoption continues to rise. Legal professionals are actively embracing technology solutions to enhance workflow efficiency, boost financial performance, and optimize time management. With the … [Read more...] about Report: Productivity surges as legal industry embraces AI
How to save yourself and your career from gaslighting
By Lynne Curry When you discover your colleague led a pivotal meeting you didn’t attend—one to which he invited several key managers but not you—you confront him. He looks affronted, and says, “But didn’t you get the invitation? I sent it to you a week ago. Maybe you deleted it by accident?” His certainty shakes you, and you search your inbox, your deleted files, and … [Read more...] about How to save yourself and your career from gaslighting