Training Course Syllabus:

Law Practice Management: Hot Topics and Current Practices - Legal Seminar

The Best Tools and Techniques for Maintaining a Successful Practice

Telecommuting, cloud computing and virtual law firms are just a few signs of the times. Technology is developing so rapidly that it can become a full-time job just to keep up with all the latest LT tools. Gain the experience of years' worth of trial and error with this concise guide to managing your legal practice. Find out what types of software and organizational techniques will turn your firm into a lean, mean legal machine. Eliminate time wasters and expense sinkholes – register today!

• Get real-life instruction on what it takes to run a successful legal practice, complete with practical tips from seasoned practitioners.
• Volunteer your services only when you intend to – tighten your billing and collections practices with prudent tips from the pros.
• Choose the right tools for the job – get an objective review of current legal technology solutions to make sure they help – not hinder – productivity.
• Manage and inspire your legal team with clear direction and tactful oversight.
• Guard against unauthorized practice of law – find out what tasks cannot be delegated.
• Get practical tips for nurturing the 20% of your client base that generate 80% of your cashflow.
• Decide whether going paperless is a viable and wise choice for your firm and how to do it right.
• Get clear guidance on ethically compliant ways of marketing your services.
• Manage the firm's record-keeping and tax compliance practices to reduce the risk of suits and sanctions.
• Find out what makes an effective and low-maintenance law firm website.

1. Going Paperless – Baby Steps vs. Cold Turkey?
   9:00 - 10:00, Written by Kelly Bulsak. Presented by Kelly Bulsak in Cherry Hill and John M. Keating in Newark.
   
1. Cost/Benefit Analysis of Switching
2. Preparing for the Transition (Planning the new Workflow, Equipment to Get Started, Preparing Your Team for the Switch, etc.)
3. Converting Paper Documents into Digital Format
4. Data Storage and Organization
1. Prioritizing Data by Long-Term Storage and Immediate Use Needs
2. Is Cloud Computing for You? Are You Already Using it?
3. Complying with Record Retention Laws
5. Data Security
1. Potential Loopholes and Pitfalls
2. Safe Practices for You and Your Staff
3. Anti-Theft and Data Retrieval Software for Laptops, E-Book Readers and Smartphones
2. Organization of Work
   10:15 - 11:00, Written by Audrey Serban. Presented by Patrick J. Bartels in Cherry Hill and Audrey Serban in Newark.
   
1. Supervision and Task Delegation (Specific Tasks Appropriate to Delegate, Monitoring and Feedback, Empowering Employees to Do Their Best Work)
2. E-Mail Volume Management
1. Challenges (Workflow Interruption, Data Storage and Retrieval, Data Sharing, etc.)
2. Solutions (Specialized Folders, Rules, Other Useful Practices)
3. Eliminating Expensive Time-Wasters
4. Making Meetings More Productive
3. Effective Case Management
   11:00 - 11:45, Written by Kelly Bulsak. Presented by Kelly Bulsak in Cherry Hill and Carol L. Schlein in Newark.
   
1. Case File Maintenance – What to Shred, What to Keep
2. Court Forms and Electronic Filing
1. Finding the Latest Version of the Right Type of Form
2. Common Completion and Filing Blunders
3. Preventing Calendaring Mistakes
4. Confirming Successful Court E-Filing
4. Billing, Collections, Financial Planning and Reporting
   12:45 - 1:30, Written by Cheryl Betten. Presented by Cheryl Betten in Cherry Hill and Carol L. Schlein in Newark.
   
1. Managing Legal Costs
2. Identifying the Biggest Money Makers and Wasters
3. Maximizing the 80/20 Rule
4. Case Budgeting and Conferring with the Client
5. Audit-Minded Tax and Financial Reporting
6. Billing and Collections
1. Airtight Engagement Agreements
2. Tracking Work and Time Spent on a Case – What Software Options Exist?
3. Practical Strategies for Pursuing Fees Owed
4. Outsourcing Your Collections
5. Ethics
   1:30 - 2:30, Written by Kathleen L. Daerr-Bannon. Presented by Kathleen L. Daerr-Bannon in Cherry Hill and John M. Keating in Newark.
   
1. Duty of Zealous Representation vs. Legal Costs Management
2. Unauthorized Practice of Law Prevention
3. Clarifying the Start of the Attorney-Client Relationship When Communicating via Firm Website
4. Advertising Legal Services Ethically
6. Your Online Presence: Creative Uses of Social Media and Firm Website
   2:45 - 3:45, Written by Kathleen L. Daerr-Bannon. Presented by Kathleen L. Daerr-Bannon in Cherry Hill and Carol L. Schlein in Newark.
   
1. Your Firm Website
1. Complying with the Model Rules
2. Planning the Content, Name and Location
3. The Dos and Emphatic Don'ts of Website Style
4. Functionality – How Much Upkeep Would You Like?
5. Site Maintenance and Upgrades
6. Don't Do it Yourself! – Tips for Web Designer Shopping
7. Where and How to Promote Your Site
2. Social Media Practices – The Good, the Bad, and the Outrageous
1. Rule #1 – Do No Harm! Setting Clear Goals for Your Online Presence
2. Which Social Media to Choose – ROI Analysis
3. Creating a Firm Profile – What Information to Include?
4. Protecting Confidentiality of Firm's Clients
5. Tips for Separating Your Personal and Professional Online Presence
3. Five Things You Cannot, Under Any Circumstances, Do or Say Online
7. Legal Technology that's Right for You*
   3:45 - 4:30, Written by Ann Gorr. Presented by Ann Gorr in Cherry Hill and Newark.
   
1. Identifying Needs
2. Practical Tips for Software/Vendor Shopping
3. Software Applications for the Law Office
4. Making the Move

If you reside outside the US or Canada please check the International Registrants Policy before registering

Seminar Summary:

Find out what types of software and organizational techniques will turn your firm into a lean, mean legal machine. (see full course description)

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