How disaster-prepared is the business side of your office? Although large organizations often have good disaster preparedness programs, small to mid-sized offices usually don't. And sadly, because they usually have only one location, they are the ones who suffer most when business is interrupted. Here are some tips that will help you prepare for a disaster and get your … [Read more...] about How to keep the office in business-as-usual shape after any kind of disaster
Technology
How to conduct a virtual investigation
By Lynne Curry bio Question: We have a messy situation we need to investigate involving 12 and possibly more employees at remote locations. Nine months ago, we laid off our human resources officer. The accounting manager and I inherited many of her duties. Both of us have investigated minor issues in each of our departments, and our former human resources officer left a … [Read more...] about How to conduct a virtual investigation
You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
By Lynne Curry Question: I’m a partner in a professional services firm. We barely survived the pandemic and only because we furloughed all nonessential employees. Those of us who were partners worked unpaid part of the time. We kept ourselves going by promising ourselves that “things would get back to normal.” Our company recovered slowly. We rehired many of the employees we … [Read more...] about You don’t need to bring staff back to the office to build a culture
15 projects for the last quarter of the year
Running out of things to do? Just kidding. But in case you are, here are some projects to consider for the last quarter of the year. Financial Review and Budgeting: a. Review the year-to-date financial statements to assess the firm's financial health. b. Prepare a budget for the upcoming year, considering revenue, expenses, and capital investments. c. Ensure all client … [Read more...] about 15 projects for the last quarter of the year
Should you do a digital detox? Here’s how
In today's fast-paced digital world, it is easy to find ourselves constantly connected to technology. As the manager of a law office, you are well aware of the demands and pressures that come with the job. However, it's essential to recognize the advantages of taking an occasional "tech detox" – a deliberate break from technology – to recharge, rejuvenate, and enhance overall … [Read more...] about Should you do a digital detox? Here’s how
Human legal expertise and ethics needed to oversee AI tools
By Doug Striker Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are revolutionizing the legal industry, providing innovative solutions to streamline processes, enhance research capabilities, and offer valuable insights. These advanced technologies are transforming legal practice across various domains. In this article, we will explore some prominent AI tools in the legal industry, … [Read more...] about Human legal expertise and ethics needed to oversee AI tools
Tame those office temperature tantrums!
Disputes over office temperature are relatively common among office staff. According to a study conducted by the International Facility Management Association, more than 50% of office workers report being unhappy with the temperature in their workplace. This dissatisfaction can lead to heated disputes or chilly relations among office staff, as people have different preferences … [Read more...] about Tame those office temperature tantrums!
Declutter your phone to declutter your mind
As a busy law office manager, you probably use your smartphone for both personal and professional purposes. However, over time, your device may become cluttered with too many apps, files, and notifications. This can make it difficult to find what you need quickly, and may even affect your productivity. Fortunately, decluttering your smartphone is a simple task that can be done … [Read more...] about Declutter your phone to declutter your mind
Still managing remote staff? 8 tips to do it better
As lawyers continue to drag their feet about returning to work at the office, many legal support staff also want to continue to work remotely. Unless your law office is taking a hard stance about working on the premises, it's likely you will continue to supervise some of your team from afar. While managing a remote workforce can present its own set of challenges, it can also … [Read more...] about Still managing remote staff? 8 tips to do it better
6 tips for choosing legal practice management software
By Diane Camacho There continues to be a tremendous push in the legal community from practice management software companies. This has evolved from the use of cloud-based software. What should practice management software do for you? Keep all your client information in one place. Keep all your information available to you on the go. Allow you to enter your … [Read more...] about 6 tips for choosing legal practice management software