Category: Management
In previous times, I was concerned with exceeding client expectations. However, in this era of fast-moving relationships, this merely means we are “renting” clients’ business. In order to avoid “burn-out” by lawyers and clients who are not satisfied with lawyers, I think we need to talk in terms of “managing” client expectations. When clients know what to expect from their lawyers, and their lawyers deliver what they promise, obviously clients will be satisfied. (more…)
View page
As of February 1st, New York adopted a new set of rules and regulations concerning law firm advertising. These rules apply to any attorney based in New York, representing clients in New York or seeking clients in New York.
Obviously, that doesn’t apply to all attorneys in the country. So why should the rest of us care? Because what New York Bar does will affect the thinking of other Bars …. For example, the California Bar is now reviewing its rules, currently less stringent and more predictable than New York’s. Others are as well. (more…)
View page
Yesterday, I spoke before the Austin (Central Texas) chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. This session was their annual salute to managing partners and they had a full house.
In preparing my presentation, I suddenly realized that there is a tension between administrators/executive directors who manage the law firm and the lawyers they work for. (more…)
View page
Lawyer’s clients value one trait more than anything!
What is that trait? By a margin of more than 2:1 over the next valued trait, clients value trust and reliability in a lawyer. This is an element that clients walk into the office having … and it is up to the lawyer not to eat away at or destroy. As they say in sports, it’s your team’s to lose … Don’t lose the trust placed in you by your client!
See more in Monday’s Coach’s Column edition of Lawyer’s Weekly Massachusetts.
View page
See the February 2007 ABA Journal article at page 56 about a Washington, D.C. lawyer’s concern about expansion and the advice provided by Ed Poll.
View page
The legal market is not known – yet – for embracing innovation. And the life of a law practice management innovator can be lonely. That can and will change…
The College of Law Practice Management (of which I am a member) sponsors the InnovAction Award, which is designed to identify and honor innovation in law practice management.
If you are in a law firm, in-house law department, or other law practice (no vendors please) that has done something innovative – whether with technology or otherwise – please take a moment to review the InnovAction web site and consider submitting an application.
View page
West LegalEd Center will host a monthly teleseminar series on the management of a law practice. For more information, cut and paste the following URL:
http://westlegaledcenter.com/program_guide/course_detail.jsf?courseId=4920168&sc_cid=Lawbiz_0207
Our monthly series begins February 14, 11 a.m. PT. The program will be recorded; thus, you will be able to listen at other times, at your convenience, as well.
The first topic will be Managing Client Expectations.
View page
Lawyers Weekly Massachusetts, in its February 12th edition, carries the Coach’s Column. This week, the column discusses the importance of communicating amongst the lawyers in the firm, that is if they want to stay together … and be more successful! One way to achieve this goal is to conduct a retreat, sometimes called an advance! (more…)
View page
This year, the new law goes into effect: Daylight savings time will occur on March 11 and end on November 4 … 3 weeks earlier and one week later.
Our technology, generally, doesn’t know it. Thus, you may be one hour late for appointments unless you check your Outlook, VCR’s, cable boxes, PDA’s, etc. to determine if they’ve been updated. There will be service patches and independent software developed for this purpose. The latest version of Windows XP is supposed to make the update automatically on February 13.
Check out your systems to be sure that they have been adjusted … Word to the wise: Confirm the changes on March 12th to be sure.
View page
General Electric’s aircraft sales force negotiates deals around the world. They submit purchase contracts to their prospective customers. When terms or the words of the contract need to be changed to meet customer requests, the sales force has to send the proposal back to GE lawyers for review and change. This process often takes weeks and sometimes results in lost sales.
Until now. GE has created a “tool kit” of clauses available on the internet for use by its sales force to address situations just like this.
Allowing the sales force to make contract changes has apparently saved GE $12 million in legal fees as well as increased the speed of the negotiation process and their “closing” rates.
Years ago, my CEO (in the food industry) used to draft the first draft of acquisition agreements and then send them on to outside counsel for completion. This saved thousands of dollars and did speed the process.
When the cost of legal services or the speed of delivery is outside the needs of clients, they will find alternative ways to achieve their goals. It is our responsibility to meet their needs before they find they can exist without us.
View page
