A Continuing Commitment
This third annual issue of Professional Legal
Management Week Magazine, disseminated to a combined audience of nearly 50,000
legal management professionals around the world, comes to you thank to the efforts of
leaders of 12 international associations to focus attention on the importance of professional
management in legal organizations.
Online Exclusive!
International Professional Legal Management WeekSM: October 5-9, 2009
BY BOB ABRAMSON
ALA DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
As business entities worldwide combat the economic downturn and prepare for recovery,
12 legal organizations join forces once again to mark the evolution and progression of the
global legal management profession despite the challenging times.
Attaining – and Keeping – Your Seat at the Table
BY ARI L. KAPLAN
Law firms are turning to legal administrators to help partners navigate the unprecedented
economic obstacles that are impacting the entire profession. In turn, administrators are
earning more than recognition; they are earning and keeping seats at the senior
management table by contributing to their firms’ growth and longevity.
Doing More with Less: The Librarian Approach
BY MONICE M. KACZOROWSKI AND HOLLY PINTO
Law firm librarians have emerged as strategic assets as they continually right size collections, budgets,
and staffs, and align library strategies to those of their organizations.
Riding the Economic Roller Coaster: What NOT to Do in the Downswing
BY EDWARD H. FLITTON
The key to managing a law firm during difficult economic times is to focus on its long-term best interests
rather than on this year’s distributions to the partners.
Changing Times, Changing Roles
BY LEANORA RUFFIN
Trends emerging from the economic downturn are prompting legal professionals to develop new
communication skills, cultivate new collaborations, and investigate new ways to train and professionally
develop lawyers.
Are Paralegal Managers Prepared for the Future?
BY JOYCE Y. McGUINEY AND LYNN GRASSBY
The commoditization of law may mean more interesting work assignments and perceived job security
for paralegals, but they shouldn’t get too comfortable.
The Compelling Case for Virtualization
BY MARK MANOUKIAN
Innovative uses of technology ensure exceptional delivery of services to clients, and professionals
who provide technical services to law firms are exploring processes and systems to help them be
more efficient.
Leading Change in a Legal Environment
BY KAREN MACKAY
Law firm managers can be keen observers of the various stakeholders and ensure that both
management and leadership give people what they need in order to deal with significant change.
In Brazil, Accomplishing More with Less
BY FREDERICO PRADO LOPES
Following the path to long-term excellence requires professionalism and the awareness that all legal
professionals – including administrators and attorneys – must be contributors to their organizations'
successes.
Building a Law Firm Business Development Culture
BY RACHEL HAYES
Savvy law firms are unlocking the selling potential of their lawyers and creating firm-wide cultures of business
development.
Creating a Vibrant Online Community
BY RICHARD CHAPLIN
Social networking touches almost anyone that wants to build business relationships, and professionals
need to pursue their options in optimal way to succeed.
Engaging Staff in Changing Times
BY BRONWYN POTT
When the environment you work in changes suddenly, the uncertainty generated effects everyone
in the firm. In turn, staff and managers will be looking to the firm’s leaders for cues in how to
respond to the changes.
Going for the Gold
BY STEPHANIE MARSH AND PETER MORGAN
As British Columbia, Canada, prepares to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, law firm managers are
uniting to support the event and to gauge how staging such an enormous enterprise may impact
their organizations.
