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Parties
•
Established partner with transactional practice. Bills
approximately 2,000 hours per year. Practice does not require
travel, but approximately 20% of work done from home. Approximately
80% of work on own clients. Delegates approximately 2,500 hours of
work per year - approximately 1,900 to individual mid-level
associate and remainder to other associates and one paralegal.
Shares assistant with one attorney.
• Three
lawyer firm (all partners) in same practice area as large firm
partner. Attorneys average 1,500 hours per year and do not delegate
work to other attorneys but share one paralegal. Each attorney has a
dedicated assistant.
Issues
• Large
firm partner expects to practice for 20 years and associate expects
to practice for 35 years. Small firm partners expect to practice for
5 to 7 years. Small firm owns office building through separate
entity, which leases back to firm and to other tenants. Small firm
partners would like to provide for continuation of practice and
ongoing client service and would like to update technology and
associated operations. Large firm partner and associate extensively
use email, word processing, practice-specific software, time &
billing, handheld email and laptop-remote access. Small firm
partners use desktop email and very little use of word processing.
Assistants and paralegal perform document preparation (primarily
from dictation) and handle all time & billing. All partners have
working knowledge of corporate and business law. However, partners
have limited time to reorganize firm and update technology and
operations in connection with new attorneys joining firm.
Services
•
Advise and assist with reorganization of small firm entity,
preparation of new partnership agreement, development and
preparation of compensation plan and buyout of office building at
retirement of small firm partners.
• Advise on
technology and equipment requirements and engage service providers
to install, configure and implement systems, including computers and
peripherals, laptop and web-based remote access, network and
servers, exchange-based email, BlackBerry synchronization, practice
management software and time/billing/accounting system and website.
Consult with lawyers and staff to develop efficient operations and
management processes to adapt and integrate disparate practice
styles with technology systems. Assist service providers with
training of lawyers and staff. Ongoing consultation to facilitate
transition to new processes and technology systems.
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