"Who Contributes to Your Bottom Line?"

by William Schlosser, MBA, Administrator
Robison, Curphey & O'Connell

     Who? Prepares the budget and financial plans and administers salaries and benefits for your firm? Who? Coordinates support staff functions, accurately bills clients for services rendered, plans and designs space needs and manages your technology? Who? Assists with client and business development and helps maximize billable hours in your firm?

     We all realize that law firms are the most profitable when they deliver quality legal services to their clients in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner. Each and every person in the firm contributes to the bottom line when used in a manner that best utilizes their skills and abilities. Obviously in many small firms the aforementioned tasks fall upon the shoulders of one of the partners or owners of the firm. In some instances an office manager/secretary may carry that responsibility. In still others, usually as the firms grow sufficiently large to justify the need and expense, the firm employs a variety of professionals, freeing attorneys to do what they are educated and trained to do best: practice law.

     In the latter part of September the Northwest Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (NWOALA) had the opportunity to spotlight the needs of law firms in Northwest Ohio and across the country by participating in the first Job Fair hosted at the University of Toledo. Several hundred graduating students joined in a day of information exchange and "job hunting" as members of the NWOALA discussed law firm opportunities in the areas of accounting, human resources, information technology, clerical support, marketing and management. Surprise is an understated reaction from most participants. The idea that there are actually law firms with 50-60 attorneys in practice let alone hundreds or thousands was inconceivable to most attendees. The concept of law firms as MAJOR businesses in all large cities was equally astonishing. And the prospect of being employed in a dynamic, professional environment ... simply intriguing.

     We need to do a better job of "selling" ourselves, our companies, our firms to the professionals that make our firms profitable. As mergers and acquisitions grow firms from several attorneys to several dozen attorneys to perhaps hundreds of attorneys we will have an increasing need for the services of professionals previously reserved for the business community. We get the word out by participating in career fairs, becoming more involved in Bar activities, and collaborating with high schools to advance their course offerings. The Career Fair at the University of Toledo gave us one of those unique opportunities.