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Last month, the Law Practice Management Section asked you to participate in a survey to give us a better idea of how we can best meet your expectations and needs.  We are pleased to share with you what we learned from the sixty-eight members who responded.

A resounding majority (66%) of those responding work in offices with ten or fewer lawyers.  26.5% of respondents reported that they were Managing Partner.  35.3% are Associates in law firms.  Respondents were most interested in learning more about continuing legal education (CLE), business development, compensation, current awareness, knowledge management and risk management.  Technology also ranked fairly high. 

As anticipated, most indicated interest in receiving written materials and attending live programs, rather than participating in on-line web seminars and list-serves. A slight majority prefer live programs in the morning, although significant numbers also prefer noon and evening programs. 

From the open-ended responses, we learned that respondents have been most pleased with the written materials they have received, describing them as up-to-date and excellent.  There is an appetite for programs with more materials to enhance live sessions.  More than one respondent suggested greater focus on small firms and solo practitioners as well as practice outside the greater Toronto area.  In terms of substantive content, respondents requested more practice management ideas, information on on-line research, and practice tools, like checklists and resources.

We thank everyone who responded. Our future programs, materials, and events will reflect the feedback we received. Since this Section represents members of firms of all sizes, we will aim to offer a mix of programs – some will appeal particularly to small firms, and others to larger, multi-service firms.

We hope to see you at our upcoming programs:

April 20:  Law Firm Finances Series, Part III: Practice Management (Presenter: Richard Stock, Catalyst Consulting) - Breakfast

June 14:  Law Firm Finances Series, Part IV: Retirement Issues (Presenter: Richard Stock, Catalyst Consulting) - Breakfast

June 22:  End-of-Term Wine & Cheese with a brief presentation by Andrew Kent, Managing Partner of McMillan Binch Mendelsohn on challenges facing managing partners today.