Law Office Dynamics: An Introduction to Legal Administration
Charlotte W. Smith, Esq.

ISBN-10: 0929563700
ISBN-13: 9780929563701

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Copyright: 2002
Format: Spiral Bound; 114 pp
Published: 01/01/2002

Suggested retail price: $34.40
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For courses in Law Office.

Designed to keep pace with the broadening administrative role (and opportunities) of paralegals and legal office administrators in today's law office environment, this text helps students understand the “big picture” of contemporary law firm culture—and their place in it. It details how to find a job, what to expect once employed in a law firm, and how to emphasize one's role on the job—especially how to be recognized as an indispensable team player. The text covers all major components of law office administration—law firm structure and the legal environment, marketing, financial systems, ethics and conflict—from good general principles to specific advice.

  • Clear and concise explanations and easy-to-understand examples.
  • An emphasis on the real world of working in a law firm and a “team approach” focus.

    • Shows students how to make the most out of on-the-job training, reading and learning through the literature of others, etc.

  • The changing nature of today's law office environment.

    • Shows students how traditional methods of practicing law have given way to a pragmatic approach that recognizes sound business practices while attempting to maintain the traditional values of a time-honored profession.

  • The paralegal's broadened role—Explains how today's paralegal must be knowledgeable about law firm operations and aware of the issues that affect a firm's financial performance—in addition to knowing how to summarize depositions, prepare documents for filing in the court system, etc.

    • Shows students how client demands must be clearly understood in regard to the staffing of cases and the expenses affecting their matters, along with the high level of service that is required in the competitive marketplace.

  • A clearly defined career path for those paralegals whose interest ultimately lies in management.

    • Exposes such students to all the management skills areas they'll need to develop to be successful on the job—e.g., human resources, financial management, calendaring, conflict-of-interest tracking, risk management, training, presentation skills, marketing.

  • Avoiding malpractice.

    • Provides students with a good grounding in ethics and conflicts in the practice of law.



 1. Law Firm Structure and the Legal Community.


 2. Opening the Office: Planning Technology and Equipment.


 3. Division of Responsibility.


 4. Human Resource Procedures.


 5. Managing Effectively.


 6. Marketing Legal Services.


 7. Administrative Systems.


 8. Financial Systems.


 9. Financial Management.


10. Avoiding Malpractice: Ethics and Conflicts.


Appendix 1: Ethical Considerations.


Appendix 2: Disciplinary Rules.


Appendix 3: Model Rules.


Appendix 4: Utilization Guidelines.


Appendix 5: NFPA Model Code.


Appendix 6: NALA Code.


Appendix 7: Addresses.


Appendix 8: Assignments.


Appendix 9: Recommended Reading.


Index.

Paralegals who understand the law firm culture are much more likely to succeed than those who never quite grasp the big picture. This textbook is designed to give paralegals the skills and insights necessary to make themselves more useful through a team approach. Detailed here are the tools of success: on-the-job training, reading and learning through the literature of others and, above all, an emphasis on the real world of working in a law firm.

Law office management is rarely taught in law schools, yet it is increasingly becoming a required subject in paralegal training programs.. Although this book points out tried and true methods, it is important to keep the words "flexible" and "adaptable" in mind. Every law office will be managed differently according to the type of law practiced, varied types of financial makeup, personality traits and capabilities of the management staff, available equipment and technology, and the overall outlook and philosophy of the firm.

Here the paralegal will not only learn how to find a job, but also what to expect once employed in a law firm, and how to emphasize his or her role on the job. Thus equipped, the paralegal should succeed in being recognized as an indispensable team player.

Charlotte W. Smith
McDonald, Pennsylvania

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