Page 187 - Leaders in Legal Business - PDF - Final 2018
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These associations provide information, education, and networking opportunities to help
their members meet the challenges inherent in managing successful law firms. They offer
support with practical skills as well as leadership training, and advocate for their members to
become strategic partners with attorneys in providing client service that is both effective and
profitable. Many offer certification programs that provide advanced skill training and
professional recognition for excellence in legal management.
With law firms and law departments experiencing some
of the most dramatic shifts in
how legal services are delivered,
the need for professional legal management leadership has
never been greater. These professionals bring critical business strategy and insights to improve
financial performance, firm growth, and client service. There are a number of professional
organizations available to support them.
The Association of Legal Administrators2 was founded in 1971 to provide legal managers
with an international forum in which to develop their skills, share ideas, and advance their
careers in this emerging profession. Today, the association represents nearly 9,000 legal business
professionals from more than 30 countries. Members include law firm chief executive officers,
principal administrators, functional specialists, and managing partners responsible for developing
business strategies and leading legal business operations. The Association has developed a
Certified Legal Manager certification program designed to acknowledge those professionals who
have mastered the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to operate at a high level of
expertise in the field of legal management.
In addition to annual conferences and meetings, the association provides an array of
resources to support its members, including an annual compensation and benefits survey,
customized research services, career development services, peer consulting, and shared interest
groups. It offers frequent webinars and other online learning resources. The association’s award-
winning publication, Legal Management, offers in-depth articles covering topics including
financial management, operations, technology, marketing and business development, leadership,
and strategy. ALA’s network of 92 chapters throughout the United States and Canada provide
members with opportunities to connect with local colleagues for education and networking
events.
The American Bar Association Law Practice Division3 evolved from the ABA’s special
committee on the economics of law practice and was established in 1974 to offer finance. The
mission of this Division is “to investigate, evaluate, develop, and disseminate information and
techniques which will make the legal services delivery team more effective, competent, ethical,
and responsive to the needs of clients and the public.”4 The group is a network of 20,000
members and primarily focused on the needs of lawyer-managers, but also offers lawyers and
legal professionals information and information relevant to administrative managers as well.
The Division publishes Law Practice magazine, Law Practice Today (a monthly digital
publication), and other books and newsletters. In addition to meetings and other resources, the
Division is host to the Women Rainmakers Committee, which serves “(1) to educate professional
women about marketing and business development; (2) to provide mentoring opportunities for
members; and (3) to provide networking opportunities to build personal and professional
relationships.”5
2 THE ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL ADMINISTRATORS, http://www.alanet.org.
3 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, ABA LAW PRACTICE DIVISION, http://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_practice/about_us.html.
4 Id.
5 ABA WOMEN RAINMAKERS COMMITTEE, http://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_practice/committees/wr-committee.html.
173
their members meet the challenges inherent in managing successful law firms. They offer
support with practical skills as well as leadership training, and advocate for their members to
become strategic partners with attorneys in providing client service that is both effective and
profitable. Many offer certification programs that provide advanced skill training and
professional recognition for excellence in legal management.
With law firms and law departments experiencing some
of the most dramatic shifts in
how legal services are delivered,
the need for professional legal management leadership has
never been greater. These professionals bring critical business strategy and insights to improve
financial performance, firm growth, and client service. There are a number of professional
organizations available to support them.
The Association of Legal Administrators2 was founded in 1971 to provide legal managers
with an international forum in which to develop their skills, share ideas, and advance their
careers in this emerging profession. Today, the association represents nearly 9,000 legal business
professionals from more than 30 countries. Members include law firm chief executive officers,
principal administrators, functional specialists, and managing partners responsible for developing
business strategies and leading legal business operations. The Association has developed a
Certified Legal Manager certification program designed to acknowledge those professionals who
have mastered the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to operate at a high level of
expertise in the field of legal management.
In addition to annual conferences and meetings, the association provides an array of
resources to support its members, including an annual compensation and benefits survey,
customized research services, career development services, peer consulting, and shared interest
groups. It offers frequent webinars and other online learning resources. The association’s award-
winning publication, Legal Management, offers in-depth articles covering topics including
financial management, operations, technology, marketing and business development, leadership,
and strategy. ALA’s network of 92 chapters throughout the United States and Canada provide
members with opportunities to connect with local colleagues for education and networking
events.
The American Bar Association Law Practice Division3 evolved from the ABA’s special
committee on the economics of law practice and was established in 1974 to offer finance. The
mission of this Division is “to investigate, evaluate, develop, and disseminate information and
techniques which will make the legal services delivery team more effective, competent, ethical,
and responsive to the needs of clients and the public.”4 The group is a network of 20,000
members and primarily focused on the needs of lawyer-managers, but also offers lawyers and
legal professionals information and information relevant to administrative managers as well.
The Division publishes Law Practice magazine, Law Practice Today (a monthly digital
publication), and other books and newsletters. In addition to meetings and other resources, the
Division is host to the Women Rainmakers Committee, which serves “(1) to educate professional
women about marketing and business development; (2) to provide mentoring opportunities for
members; and (3) to provide networking opportunities to build personal and professional
relationships.”5
2 THE ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL ADMINISTRATORS, http://www.alanet.org.
3 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, ABA LAW PRACTICE DIVISION, http://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_practice/about_us.html.
4 Id.
5 ABA WOMEN RAINMAKERS COMMITTEE, http://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_practice/committees/wr-committee.html.
173
