The Bottom Line

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law Office Management and Economics

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2003 Articles

Dealing with poor performers and are they really that way? By Paul J. Sullivan September 2003 Dealing with the problem employee is one of the most frustrating and time-consuming functions of being a manager.
Everyone can generate new clients By Lawrence M. Khon & Robert N. Kohn March 2003 While the obstacles to selling are real, they can be overcome.
How to get more business: 25 tips for marketing the small law firm By Dr. John W. Olmstead, Jr. March 2003 Gone are the days when attorneys simply practiced law. Today, they face increased competition, shrinking demand for services and increasing supply of professional talent, availability of service substitutes, and marketing of professional services.
Is there a Limited Liability Entity in your future? By Donald E. Weihl June 2003 Illinois has become the 50th state to adopt rules allowing Limited Liability Entities to practice law in Illinois.
Planning for major upheavals, and ‘What did I do to deserve this?’ By Thomas J. Brannan March 2003 It has been suggested by our illustrious editor that articles should be written about real life law office experiences.
Practical suggestions on transition or retirment from a law firm By John W. Damisch June 2003 The largest law firm in Illinois is made up of thousands of solo and small law firms. The "Baby Boomer" generation is about to retire.
Surviving the e-mail avalanche By Dan C. Felean September 2003 In a matter of a few years, electronic mail has quickly become the core application for almost every lawyer and business client.
Trapped in an insurance defense practice? Two strategic approaches By Dr. John W. Olmstead June 2003 Insurance defense practices are under siege. While these practices have always had to deal with low billing rates and unrealistic controls mandated by insurance companies, recent trends have reached levels that threaten the business relationship which has reached an all-time low.
Useful ideas for spreadsheets By Maximilian M. Prusak 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.
Voice mail—the answer to garbled messages By John W. Damisch March 2003 Little pink message slips put into divided holders on the receptionist's desk was regular office procedure until the 1990s.