Law Office Manager

Managing the office

TOOL: Model Notice and Waiver of Conflict of Interest

Why you need this model Notice: This model Notice will help your efforts to protect your practice from the risk of violating conflict of interest rules. How this model Notice helps you: If a potential conflict of interest exists, but the parties still want the firm to represent their legal interests, have all parties sign a Waiver of Conflict of Interest, acknowledging the … [Read more...] about TOOL: Model Notice and Waiver of Conflict of Interest

Keep your firm’s goals current

We traditionally set our firm's goals for the beginning of the year, but setting targets on a quarterly or on-going basis keeps these goals current and relevant. Goals provide crucial support in guiding year decisions through this year and the years ahead. Goals mean that instead of reacting to whatever happens, you’re proactively driving your firm to where you want to … [Read more...] about Keep your firm’s goals current

4 steps to take immediately when a workplace romance blossoms in your office

To meet that one special guy or gal. . . . it's the stuff dreams are made of. But when that love connection takes place within a workplace, it can be an employer's worst nightmare. Couples that live happily ever after are manageable. But when a workplace romance ends in breakup, it usually creates big problems at work. This hasn't changed in the era of remote work; studies have … [Read more...] about 4 steps to take immediately when a workplace romance blossoms in your office

5 proven ways to delegate work and set the staffer up for success on the task

Being a successful administrator calls for an investment. It is the investment of time and patience to train staff to take on delegated tasks and do the work satisfactorily. The payoff is big. Besides ending the frustration of having to do much of the busy work, it allows the administrator to excel in managing the firm. It is the key to professional productivity and … [Read more...] about 5 proven ways to delegate work and set the staffer up for success on the task

To avoid a messy workplace theft investigation, can we just fire our prime suspect?

Question: Several years ago, when one of our employees was stealing from other employees’ purses and desks, we called the police. The process—calling the police, alerting our insurance carrier and interviewing multiple employees to show fairness so we wouldn’t get sued for wrongful termination when we fired the one employee—tore apart our office. Some of our best … [Read more...] about To avoid a messy workplace theft investigation, can we just fire our prime suspect?

8 signs your firm needs an operations analysis

An operational analysis is an in-depth analysis of the firms's operations, or, put simply, getting somebody from outside to take a look at the inside. Most firms do that when they are facing problems, particularly financial problems, but it is better to do it before problems occur. Here is what the job entails, starting with the signs that it's time to get the review … [Read more...] about 8 signs your firm needs an operations analysis

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

7 basic steps for a successful law office move

Law offices are upsizing, downsizing and merging in response to economic ups and downs and other changes in the legal landscape. If your office is going to change its location or shuffle around in its current location this year, you're wise to start panning now. Moving a law office can be a complex and time-consuming process, but with careful planning and organization, it can … [Read more...] about 7 basic steps for a successful law office move

What does the Americans with Disabilities Act require of your office?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires law offices to make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, and procedures to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would create an undue burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the services provided. This includes ensuring that the facility is physically accessible to … [Read more...] about What does the Americans with Disabilities Act require of your office?