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Lori Brazier*

OBA’s Law Practice Management Section resumed activities in 2003–2004 after a lull of several years. We innovated with OBA’s first electronic newsletter, and produced two programs in collaboration with the Young Lawyers’ Division: “Setting Up your Law Practice” in October, and “Making Partner” in May.

Our primary goals as we embark on the 2004–2005 term are to be relevant to OBA members, and to increase awareness of and interest in the Law Practice Management Section.

Law Practice Management is not always understood. Some lawyers view our Section as being concerned with law office technology and processes. But law practice management is much more than that.

Although the 2003–2004 term featured programs centered on law practice management of interest to young lawyers, the Section aims to explore topics and issues that are of interest to members of all levels of experience. We will continue to collaborate with Young Lawyers’ Division given their interest in helping the younger members of the profession equip themselves to be successful in practice and ready them to lead firms one day. We may collaborate with the Sole, Small Firm and General Practice Section to offer programs of interest to those who practice in smaller firms. But we also strive to be relevant to lawyers in medium-size and large firms. Some of our programs will be aimed at that audience.

At our Section Executive meeting in October, we debated and decided upon four core areas of focus for the Section. All of our newsletters and programs will be oriented around one of the following core areas:

1.  Clients

Clients are the lifeblood of practice. They need to be the focal point of business planning for any firm, large or small. Their requirements should drive innovation in service delivery.

The Law Practice Management Section aims to stimulate thought and action around

• getting and keeping clients
• anticipating client needs (being more than just responsive)
• innovating and excelling in client service

2.  Professional Development

A formalized approach to skills acquisition ensures that every member of a firm becomes proficient not only in their area of law, but also in providing effective service to their clients.

The Law Practice Management Section will focus on the competencies lawyers need beyond knowledge of the law, including

• leadership and people skills
• business development skills
• client relationship management skills

Talent management will also be a focal point.

3.  Law Firm Finances

A law firm cannot sustain itself unless it is profitable. Through newsletter articles and programs we will examine various “money issues” including

• revenue-focused profitability improvement
• effective partner compensation systems
• capitalization
• retirement planning
• associate compensation programs

4.  Law Firm Management

The Section will turn its attention to various issues relating to the organization and management of law firms, including

• governance for small, medium and large firms
• the roles and responsibilities of managing partners and practice group leaders
• what leadership is today
• the importance of execution and how to overcome barriers to getting things done

Our first half-day program, scheduled for February 28th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is aimed at managing partners and practice leaders and explores how law firms can innovate in client service. Mark your calendars and plan to attend.

In short, law practice management is everyone’s concern. To be good lawyers we need to pay attention to the business of delivering legal services: anticipating and responding to client needs, developing and sustaining effective relationships with clients, planning for a solid future and ensuring that we have the means to sustain that future (notably the right talent and a focus on profitability). We aim to have everyone thinking more about these issues and to stimulate firms into action.

* Lori Brazier is the Chair of OBA’s Law Practice Management Section and a partner with Catalyst Consulting. The firm has been designated the Preferred Supplier for Legal Services Consulting by both the CBA and the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association. Lori can be contacted at (416) 367-4447 or lbrazier@catalystlegal.com.