Legal Administration and Technology

Law Office Management PA305Unit 2

Christle Sheppard Southallcsheppardsouthall@kaplan.edu

Welcome To Unit 2

Legal administration and technology

AnnouncementsI. Reminders

Obtain seminar archive Remember alternate assignment for seminar Make sure your e-mail is updated with Kaplan

II. Week in Review Look at discussion board comments See discussion board rubric

III. Upcoming Week First written assignment due See written assignment rubric Contact me if you have any questions

IV. Questions/Comments/Suggestions Do you have any questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

HOUSEKEEPING

• Office hours, Mondays 3:00-5:00 p.m. e.s.t.

• Contact information: 410-929-2864

• Discussion Board participation

• What is law firm management?

Legal Administration

Functions of Legal Administration

• Types of management key to law firms:

• Administrative

• Practice

Clients Services And Systems

• What clients will the practice serve? What do we need to serve them?

Other Types of Management

• Financial Management

• Human Resources Management

Personnel Laws

• Important to consider in the work place:

• Family Medical Leave Act of 1993

• Civil Rights Act of 1963

• American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

• Fair Labor Standards of 1938

Technology

• Law firms and technology

Hypothetical # 1When Charles Dunlap and Stanley Moore got together to start their law firm in 1998, they had less than $1,000 to their name. Ten years later, the two lawyers have become millionaires as a result of their thriving law practice. The

success of their law practice was due, in large part, to their excellent staff. The legal assistants were the ones who draft letters and case correspondence, work with and manage files and cases, calendar and keep track of case deadlines, work with computer systems, draft pleadings and formal court documents, work on miscellaneous office matters, and work with clients. Unfortunately, that all changed as time went on. Charles and Stanley’s ego got bigger along with their wallets. They no longer recognized their legal assistants. In the most recent strategic planning meetings where they examine whether they are taking the steps to meet their goals, they did not include their legal assistants. Do you

agree with Charles and Stanley’s actions? Why or why not?

Hypothetical # 2Struggling to attract clients, Waverly and Associates PC laid Geraldine Shapiro off from her job as a legal assistant. Geraldine immediately begins looking for another job. In a conversation with her best friend, Amanda James, she learns that Amanda’s first cousin, Barry Waterhouse, a partner at Baker Rose LLP, is looking for a legal assistant. Geraldine submitted a resume immediately and was called in for an interview the following day. During the interview, Barry told Geraldine that

he wanted to “chat” with her a little bit before he asked her about her qualifications: where she was born, if she was married, and how

many children she has. Do you think that Barry acted appropriately during the interview? Why or why not?

Hypothetical # 3

Like most law school graduates, Sara and James graduated law school with a lot of debt. Though they would rather “change the world”, they know that they have to get a job that allows them to earn enough money to pay back their loans. They looked for jobs, but were unable to find jobs that they were both qualified for and that allowed them to earn $100,000. Eager to make as much money as they can, Sara and James decide to start their own law firm. To earn as much money as they can, they decide to take every case that comes in. Do you think Sara and James made the right decision?

Why or why not?

Hypothetical # 4Shirley Trudeau was a looker throughout high school. To her detriment, she found herself having to prove herself all of the time. A graduate of Harvard Law School where she was editor-in-chief of the Law Review, she did not think that she would face these issues again. Shirley ishired as an associate for one of the top law firms in Washington, D.C. In her first week at the law firm, she is passed up for substantive work while her male colleagues have all been given cases to work on. When she tried to challenge this inequality, she was told that she did not know as much as they did because she is a woman. This is supported, in part, by the fact that they call her names like “babe”, “sweetie”, and “dear” whenever they talk to her. Unable to take it any longer, Shirley leaves the firm and sues the law firm for creating a hostile environment. The court decides in the law firm’s favor, because they have anti-harassmentpolicies in the employment manual. Do you agree with the court? Why or why not?

Hypothetical # 5Jill Santos, a sole proprietor, works

constantly to represent her clients. Along

with the legal work, she also does all of

her own administrative work. When she

first started her law firm, she was able to

manage it. The increase in clientele

Has made it much more difficult. On more than

one occasion, Jill has missed

important deadlines and, as a result, the

clients have suffered negative consequences. A

few of Jill’s clients have fired her. As a result, Jill

has begun to lose money. What should Jill do to

save her law practice?

The End

G O O D N I G H T !