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
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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
Why you need “Take Your Dog to Work” day
Editor's picks: Tackle silly problems with silly solutions and boost morale A six-question oral survey can help the manager and improve morale 6 easy ways to build staff morale and loyalty … [Read more...] about Why you need “Take Your Dog to Work” day
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
Workplace fitness program
Editor's picks: Study: Excessive sitting is more disruptive to your business than cyberloafing Firm benefits from employee benefits Why your law firm needs a wellness program and how you can build one that works … [Read more...] about Workplace fitness program
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?
Time for an Office Makeover?
Editor's picks: Redesign the office to keep up with industry and technology changes What's the 'employee experience' like at your law firm? Easy ways to make your law office healthier … [Read more...] about Time for an Office Makeover?