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Parties
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Established ten lawyer firm (six partners and four associates) with
general practice including litigation, business, real estate, estate
planning and family law. Lawyers bill between 1,300 and 2,000 hours
per year. Firm employees six assistants, four paralegals and a
bookkeeper.
Issues
• Current
partners will retire over the next 5 to 15 years. Associates
expect to practice for 25 to 35 years. Two associates will become
partners within the next year, and firm expects to hire two
associates soon. Associates rising to partner would like to rewrite
the partnership agreement and restructure the compensation plan and
partners generally agree. Associates and most partners believe this
well established firm has a viable practice and potential for modest
growth. Beginning to realize that they need to be more efficient,
get more leverage from technology than staff and acquire more
current technologies in order to meet client expectations and
compete with other firms. All computers are desktop computers, and
the firm does not have remote access capabilities. Firm has basic,
template-based website provided by a legal publishing company. Most
attorneys use the firm's Outlook email system, but several attorneys
use web-based email that synchronizes with hand-held email devices.
The firm has a time/billing/accounting system. Several attorneys
enter their own time but most keep hard copy timesheets and
assistants enter their time. The firm does not have a document
management system, and the attorneys are not interested in a
comprehensive practice management system.
Services
•
Advise partners and two senior associates on partnership agreement
and compensation plan, including equity buy-in and buy-out options.
Facilitate negotiations and prepare new documents. Assist firm with
preparation of employment agreements and offer letters for for new
attorney and staff hires. • Consult with
lawyers and staff to establish technology and operating requirements
to support practice areas, increase efficiency and facilitate work
sharing. Help identify additional technology and operational needs.
Develop technology specifications and operational objectives and
identify technology options. Facilitate evaluation and selection of
systems, vendors and service providers. Coordinate implementation of
new systems and assist with development and adoption of operations
processes to integrate practices and technology systems. Arrange for
and help conduct initial and periodic training to bring all
personnel up to minimal proficiency on technology and processes.
Provide ongoing consultation and training as required to facilitate
efficient adoption and effective use of systems and processes.
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