Getting promoted to office manager can be a mixed blessing. As a former staffer, the new manager comes into the job knowing the good performers, the bad performers, the shortcuts, the troublemakers—and a few secrets. But the former peers also know their new boss, including strengths, weaknesses, and what buttons to push. Along with that, they are wondering how their … [Read more...] about Just promoted to office manager? Follow these 9 critical rules to avoid problems managing former friends and colleagues
Working with lawyers
Law Office Staff Meeting Agenda and Minutes Template
Here’s a staff meeting agenda and minutes template tailored for a law office administrator. This template is structured to facilitate focused, productive meetings and to keep all team members informed of updates, priorities, and action items. Meeting Details Date: ___________________________ Time: ___________________________ Location: … [Read more...] about Law Office Staff Meeting Agenda and Minutes Template
Questions a new administrator should ask the managing partner
Congratulations on your new position as the law office administrator, reporting directly to the managing partner. As you prepare for your first meeting with the managing partner, it's essential to ask the right questions to gain clarity on your role and responsibilities. Here are some questions to consider. What are the key priorities for the law office in the next six … [Read more...] about Questions a new administrator should ask the managing partner
Sending Holiday Cards? It’s Time to Get Cracking!
Sending holiday cards is a thoughtful way to show appreciation to your clients, colleagues, and business partners. With the end-of-year rush fast approaching, it’s important to start planning now to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here’s how you can break down the project so your cards are ready and out the door by early December. 1. Build Your List in Early November Begin … [Read more...] about Sending Holiday Cards? It’s Time to Get Cracking!
Prepare for Holiday Staffing by Managing Workloads and Leave Requests
As the holiday season approaches, you’re likely facing one of the trickiest balancing acts of the year—handling time-off requests while keeping the office running smoothly. The end of the year often brings a flood of leave requests as employees want to take time off to spend with family, travel, or simply recharge. At the same time, client demands and deadlines don’t slow down. … [Read more...] about Prepare for Holiday Staffing by Managing Workloads and Leave Requests
Hiring inequities remain for law school graduates of color
NALP has released the 50th consecutive edition of its Jobs & JDs: Employment and Salaries of New Law Graduates — Class of 2023 report, available on NALP's bookstore. Jobs & JDs is NALP's hallmark annual research report that presents a comprehensive analysis on the types of employment and salaries obtained by recent graduates, with data on approximately 98% of the Class … [Read more...] about Hiring inequities remain for law school graduates of color
Improve your case and matter management
In a busy law office, efficient case and matter management are vital to ensure that client needs are met promptly, deadlines are adhered to, and information is organized. An organized tracking system can streamline operations, improve communication among team members, and enhance overall productivity. Consider the following strategies for tracking cases and matters in a law … [Read more...] about Improve your case and matter management
10 ways your law firm can observe Pro Bono Week 2024
Pro Bono Week, sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, is a national celebration that highlights the outstanding volunteer work lawyers provide to those who cannot afford legal services. It's a week dedicated to recognizing the importance of pro bono work and encouraging attorneys to give back to their communities, such as … [Read more...] about 10 ways your law firm can observe Pro Bono Week 2024
Here’s how to hire or contract a courier/court runner
Hiring or contracting a courier or court runner is a crucial decision for a law office. These professionals play an essential role in ensuring that important legal documents, court filings, and deliveries are handled with efficiency and precision. Whether you choose to hire an employee or contract the role out, finding the right person is key. Here’s how you can recruit, … [Read more...] about Here’s how to hire or contract a courier/court runner
Protect your firm from ethical risks with an effective conflict checking process
Conflict checking is a crucial process for a law office manager, ensuring that the firm avoids any conflicts of interest that could jeopardize client trust or violate legal ethics. Here’s a breakdown of how to manage the conflict checking process efficiently: 1. Understand the Importance of Conflict Checking Conflict checks help ensure that the law firm … [Read more...] about Protect your firm from ethical risks with an effective conflict checking process