Law Office Manager

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Lighten up the office for increased productivity

By Steve M. Cohen  bio Let's face it, work is not always fun. As they say, "that's why they call it work." But there is a point where a manager may need to draw a line. Although the problem can take many forms, the issues can often be grouped under the heading of "negativity." An "office complainer" is one example you may know. There are also constant critics, … [Read more...] about Lighten up the office for increased productivity

A few tricks to make anyone a good presenter

It's not outstanding competence that makes an administrator a good presenter. "Competence alone is not enough to get a yes vote from the partners," says executive speech coach Chris Witt of Witt Communications in San Diego. What's more, the best ideas aren't always what appeal to the partners. What determines success is how well the proposal is communicated. And good … [Read more...] about A few tricks to make anyone a good presenter

A six-question oral survey can help the manager and improve morale

The people closest to the work are the ones who have the best suggestions for improving it. You can take advantage of staff ideas by getting their recommendations in an informal survey. Not only will it generate usable ideas for the manager, but it may help morale because when people are asked for their opinions, they become committed to the organization. There's a sense of, … [Read more...] about A six-question oral survey can help the manager and improve morale

Our top 10 feature articles in 2015

Thank you for making 2015 such a successful year! We had great guest bloggers, inspiring readers' tips, and a series of very informative and well-attended webinars. And we're looking forward to an even better time in 2016. In case you missed it, these are the top articles that trended on the site this year. #1: November 6 is National Love Your Lawyer Day If your clients … [Read more...] about Our top 10 feature articles in 2015

Is holiday cheer in your workplace waning?

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has predicted strong consumer spending during the months of November and December. But that doesn't mean you should expect a present from any of your co-workers this year. According to the "WorkSphere" survey from national staffing company Spherion and conducted online last month by Harris Poll among more than 1,000 adults employed full or … [Read more...] about Is holiday cheer in your workplace waning?

How to raise fees in January without upsetting or alienating clients

The wrong way to up the fees is to think of a rate hike as a means of offsetting costs. Most firms do just that. The attorneys think "well, our salaries are increasing, so we have to recapture that." So the rates go up a percentage across the board. To get the most revenue out of a rate hike takes understanding the many and varied options available to the firm. It also takes … [Read more...] about How to raise fees in January without upsetting or alienating clients

2 goals you need to set for 2019 and how to achieve them

The start of the new year is a traditional time for people to set personal and professional goals. And in order to achieve goals, they must come with a roadmap. Here are two inter-related goals you can set for 2019: Goal 1: Win the lawyers' respect; and Goal 2: Earn a better salary. Not only will achieving these goals help you become a better manager for your law firm, they … [Read more...] about 2 goals you need to set for 2019 and how to achieve them

What your staff is doing on the Internet and why you might want to allow it

It's a temptation too great for many people to resist—using the Internet to check their Facebook page, watch those cat videos, or check on the Fantasy League while at work. And according to a survey from FindLaw.com, about half of your staff members are surfing the Internet when they should be working. What are they using it for? According to FindLaw.com's survey, … [Read more...] about What your staff is doing on the Internet and why you might want to allow it

The 5 disasters that run law firms into the ground

Can your firm profit in the current economy? Or more worrisome: can it survive? The answer depends on how the firm is managed, advises one expert. And to a great extent it's the intangible elements of management that tell the tale. Law firms are living in a new world, says William F. Brennan, CPA, CMA, a principal with the legal management consulting firm Altman Weil in … [Read more...] about The 5 disasters that run law firms into the ground