Section Newsletters

Articles on Law Office Management

Electronic communications & records: Metadata, security, and more By Robert G. Moss Legal Technology, Standing Committee on, October 2006 It would be fair to say that the field of legal ethics is increasingly concerned with issues raised by new kinds of information and communication technology.
Are you ready for tsunami, a Katrina, fire or terrorists? By Thomas J. Brannan Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2006 Granted, in Illinois, we are unlikely to suffer the rampage of a Tsunami or a Katrina, but tornadoes are common to Illinois, potential for fires is a part of life, and terrorists may strike anywhere—in fact, your own personal terrorist could be a disenchanted client seeking revenge.
Practice Alert: Contingencies By Matt Maloney General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, June 2006 Have you considered "partial disability" as part of your practice's disaster-preparedness plan?
Exceptional client service in law firms: Tips for rewarding and recognizing employees By John W. Olmstead Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2005 By regularly rewarding and recognizing your attorneys and staff when they exhibit positive client service behaviors, rather than only noticing and commenting when they do something wrong, you help motivate them to keep up the good work and internalize the behavior.
Exceptional client service in law firms: Analyzing and reporting your client satisfaction survey results By John W. Olmstead Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2005 You have completed your telephone or mail client survey campaign. Completed questionnaires are everywhere.
Exceptional client service in law firms: Developing your client service improvement plan By John W. Olmstead Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2005 Nothing is more important to your firm's future than exceptional client service. An effective client service improvement program is one of the most important marketing initiatives that a firm can undertake.
Law firm planning & design: Part 3 By Daniel G. Jay Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2005 The conference center concept has profoundly changed how many firms greet and accommodate their visitors.
Law firm planning & design: Part 2 By Daniel G. Jay Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, March 2005 Part 2 of a three-part article designed to help attorneys in planning and designing their law firms.
Seven tips to help your legal practice run more smoothly By Justin Heather Young Lawyers Division, February 2005 Whether you are a new member of the bar or a seasoned associate, there are several items to keep in mind to make your practice, and life, run more smoothly.
Attracting business 101 By Donald E. Weihl Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, January 2005 In the March, 1995 issue of The Bottom Line (Vol. 16, No. 3), an article appeared entitled "Rainmaking." The article included 10 suggestions in the form of practice tips for improving a lawyer's ability to attract business.
Back to basics: Tips to stay organized and productive throughout your work day By Christopher D. Oakes Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, January 2005 Anything that prevents you from effectively achieving your daily goals makes you not only inefficient but robs you of billable time.
Law firm planning & design: Part 1 By Daniel G. Jay Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, January 2005 During the course of 20 years of planning law offices, patterns are identified and analyzed. These patterns turn into valuable lessons for firms considering a relocation or renovation of their law offices.
The organizational life blood for law firm profitability: Active coordinated communication By Dr. Thomas J. Venardos Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, January 2005 A new generation of law firm lawyers need new tools to maximize profitability.
Asked and answered By John W. Olmstead Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, October 2004 A successful law firm competitive strategy requires effective law firm management.
Employee termination By SueAnn Sage Billimack Business Advice and Financial Planning, October 2004 Business lawyers are frequently called upon to advise their clients with respect to employment terminations.
The making of a 21st century law firm By Laura Leckrone Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, October 2004 By implementing strategic management practices, firms can take hold of the changing market and better compete in today's economy.
Seven communication styles that can improve law firm performance and enhance firm profitability By Dr. Thomas J. Venardos Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, October 2004 Assessing yourself and having others in the office assess you on the above communication strategies can provide you with valuable information about your communication effectiveness.
Trends that will affect your practice By John T. Phipps Administrative Law, September 2004 General Practice Section Council member Matt Maloney raised some interesting issues at the last Section Council meeting about the trend that smaller counties are losing lawyers and the average age of the lawyers is rising because of the lack of young lawyers going to the smaller counties to practice.
Business continuity plan essential ‘insurance’ for law firms By Tim Akers Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2004 Every law firm's worst nightmare is a disruption that makes it virtually impossible to conduct business as usual.
Editor’s column: Trends that will affect your practice By John T. Phipps General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, June 2004 GP Section Council member Matt Maloney raised some interesting issues at the last Section Council meeting about the trend that smaller counties are losing lawyers and the average age of the lawyers is rising because of the lack of young lawyers going to the smaller counties to practice.
Food for thought: The answer to the question is . . . . By Matt Maloney General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, May 2004 The author seeks answers to questions on the job.
The employment practices audit: A value-added client service By Andrew B. Cripe Young Lawyers Division, December 2003 Outside counsel is typically called to handle employment matters after a problem has arisen.
“I’ve Been Taking Care of Business & Working Overtime” - Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1976) By Matt Maloney General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, December 2003 I don’t know if Canadian singer/composer/musician Randy Bachman ever went to law school. His synopsis of how things go on a daily basis seems to mirror life in general.
Now…what was I going to say? By Vicki Kunkel Young Lawyers Division, October 2003 Three words that can strike fear into the heart of nearly every person who has to do presentations: Drawing a blank.
Dealing with poor performers and are they really that way? By Paul J. Sullivan Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2003 Dealing with the problem employee is one of the most frustrating and time-consuming functions of being a manager.
Useful ideas for spreadsheets By Maximilian M. Prusak Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2003 Most law offices have spreadsheet programs that remain largely unused by lawyers. In our office, we have Microsoft Office on each computer, which includes Excel.
You are a lawyer. Are you a financial institution? Mineral Law, September 2003 Pursuant to the Federal Financial Modernization Act, more commonly known as the Graham-Leach-Bliley Act ("GLBA") (15 USC 6801-06809), certain businesses were made subject to new privacy laws.
Planning for major upheavals, and ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ By Thomas J. Brannan Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, March 2003 It has been suggested by our illustrious editor that articles should be written about real life law office experiences.
Voice mail—the answer to garbled messages By John W. Damisch Law Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, March 2003 Little pink message slips put into divided holders on the receptionist's desk was regular office procedure until the 1990s.
Firm meetings, or “If you pay them, they will come” By Walter Kilgus General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, January 2003 In a recent discussion with a colleague, the conversation turned to the mechanics of operating a small firm.

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