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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
The College of Law Practice Management6 honors and recognizes notable law practice
management professionals; sets standards of achievement; and funds and supports projects that
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.
6 THE COLLEGE OF LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT, http://collegeoflpm.org.
192
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
The College of Law Practice Management6 honors and recognizes notable law practice
management professionals; sets standards of achievement; and funds and supports projects that
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.
6 THE COLLEGE OF LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT, http://collegeoflpm.org.
192
