how an attorney can be a line and staff manager

by Josefa Swaniawski 10 min read

How to manage people in a law firm?

Aug 18, 2021 · One may focus on a particular area of law or work as a generalist. Depending on the area of specialty, a staff attorney works closely with other professionals in their line of work. A successful staff attorney should be well-versed in current legal trends, and they should have research skills, communication skills, and attention to detail.

How to delegate tasks as a lawyer manager?

Jan 08, 2020 · Being a Managing Attorney directs law office operations, case assignments, and staffing. Monitors case status, timelines and issues. Additionally, Managing Attorney manages budgets and spending for external counsel. Mentors and coaches attorneys and implements staff professional development programs. Requires a JD. Requires admittance to a State Bar.

What does it mean to be a lawyer manager today?

Oct 02, 2020 · In this excerpt that we gathered from a Staff Attorney resume, you'll understand why: "Lawyers help their clients resolve problems and issues" According to resumes we found, Analytical skills can be used by a Staff Attorney in order to "Conduct legal research and analyze the record in civil and criminal cases, including District Court appeals.

What is proper office law management?

A staff attorney works for a law firm or another organization. Staff attorneys are associates with law degrees who have passed the Bar Exam in their states. They research, analyze, and write about complex legal issues. Duties and responsibilities of all staff attorney jobs include legal research and support to the partners in a law firm.

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What is line and staff manager?

Line managers usually have final authority to make executive decisions in the company and to direct the activities of personnel involved in producing and selling. On the other hand, the authority of staff managers is limited to supervising the activities of other staff personnel and advising line managers.

Can line authority and staff authority be used interchangeably?

Line Authority vs Staff Authority Line authority is the type of authority that reflects superior-subordinate relationships characterized by the power of decision making. Staff authority refers to the right to advice on improving the effectiveness for line employees in performing their duties.Jun 2, 2017

What is the difference between staff manager and line manager?

Line managers are authorized to direct the work of subordinates. Staff managers are authorized to assist and advise line managers in accomplishing their basic goals.

What is the difference between a line position and a staff position?

A line position is a position that has authority and responsibility for achieving the major goals of the organization. A staff position is a position whose primary purpose is providing specialized expertise and assistance to line positions. Staff can also be defined by the type of people: technical or support.

What is the difference between line and staff in an organization?

Staff and line are names given to different types of functions in organizations. A "line function" is one that directly advances an organization in its core work. ... A "staff function" supports the organization with specialized advisory and support functions.

Who is a line manager in an organization?

A line manager is the first layer of management above the front line workers. They're accountable for their department, or part in the business. They manage one or more members of staff and oversee and evaluate employee contribution, performance and development.Jul 31, 2020

Is HR manager a line manager or staff manager?

Staff managers usually help and advise line managers in achieving organizational goals. HR managers are staff experts. They assist line managers in areas like recruiting, selecting, training, and compensating.

What are the roles of line managers and staff managers with regards to the HR?

A line manager is responsible for overseeing and managing employees to fulfill business goals. They are the main point of contact between the management and the staff. They also provide guidance, instruction, motivation and feedback to the employees on a day-to-day basis.

What is a line manager example?

Example of Line Managers HR manger is also a line manager. He has many duties. He is responsible for the talent acquisition of the organization. He is responsible for the after recruitment and selection procedures.Jan 27, 2022

What is the relationship between line and staff?

One widely held view of line and staff is that line functions are those that have a direct impact on the accomplishment of the objectives of the enterprise. On the other hand, Staff functions are those that help the line persons work most effectively in accomplishing the objectives.

What is line and staff organization with example?

line-staff organization, in management, approach in which authorities (e.g., managers) establish goals and directives that are then fulfilled by staff and other workers. A line-staff organizational structure attempts to render a large and complex enterprise more flexible without sacrificing managerial authority.

What is staff department manager?

A staff manager is a professional who oversees a team of employees, providing them with information and guidance. They work in a variety of different industries and departments. In general, they are responsible for keeping their team motivated and performing at its best.

What does it mean to be a lawyer manager?

This means if you’re managing a law firm with people other than you working there, you’ll need to learn and develop leadership skills and management skills. While these are complementary skills, the difference between the two is subtle and important.

What is law firm management?

Traditionally, law firm management meant that junior attorneys reported to senior attorneys, and a partner committee managed all aspects of the firm. This is an ineffective way to run a law firm. People management isn’t a skill that all of us are born with, but it is a skill that can be learned and should be cultivated to help make you ...

Why is peer group important?

The purpose of mentors, peer groups, and coaches is to help your firm and staff become more confident, productive, and empowered in what they do.

How can I become a leader?

To be an effective leader, you’ll need to learn how to communicate and listen actively, know how to motivate people, learn to cultivate trust with others, and take responsibility for the bigger picture in moving towards your goals.

How do coaches help?

Coaches help motivate individuals towards their professional goals by focusing on values, mission, and strategy. A coach is different from a mentor in that a coach is usually around for only a short period of time, like for a project, and helps people focus towards a specific goal in the near future.

Is it good to make decisions by committee?

We’ve touched on this briefly, but decision making by committee is not a good way to make decisions for your firm. Only one person should have the ultimate and final decision-making responsibility for the firm. While each department head is in charge of making decisions for their department, only one person should have the final decision-making authority. This doesn’t mean that decisions are made in a vacuum, input from others is important, it just means that when it’s time to make a decision, only one person does it.

What is the art of getting someone else to do something you want to do?

Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want to be done because he wants to do it.”. Breaking this down, an effective leader is someone who can inspire, motivate, and delegate tasks to move people towards a common goal.

Step 1: Understand the job description and responsibilities of a Managing Attorney

A Managing Attorney oversees the activities and work-products of attorneys and support staff. Provides leadership and participates in the most complex legal actions. Being a Managing Attorney directs law office operations, case assignments, and staffing. Monitors case status, timelines and issues.

Step 4: Think about whether is it worth to be a Managing Attorney

The firm's highly experienced Arizona wealth preservation law team, led by Scottsdale Asset Protection attorney Ike Devji, has been privileged to serve some of the most successful residents of our state for 16 years.

Step 5: Prepare relevant skills for being a Managing Attorney

A manager is often judged based on the success of their team and those working below them, as such, many skills are needed.

Step 6: View average salary for Managing Attorney

The average salary range for a Managing Attorney is from $157,984 to $210,351. The salary will change depending on your location, job level, experience, education, and skills.

What percentage of staff attorneys are proficient in legal advice?

We calculated that 29 % of Staff Attorneys are proficient in Legal Advice, Counsel, and Legal Documents. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Interpersonal skills, and Problem-solving skills.

How many staff attorneys will be there in 2028?

In fact, the number of staff attorney opportunities that are predicted to open up by 2028 is 50,100.

What is a lawyer?

A lawyer is a legal practitioner who specializes in understanding and interpreting laws and other legal matters. Their responsibilities revolve around providing legal counseling and advice, representing clients in different kinds of court proceedings, conducting research, collecting evidence, and coordinating with various experts. A lawyer must also manage and oversee the performance of assistants, paralegals, and other team members. Furthermore, there are instances when a lawyer must draft or manage documents such as contracts, trusts, deeds, and wills, assisting clients as needed.

What is interpersonal skills?

Interpersonal skills involves being able to communicate efficiently with multiple people regarding your thoughts, ideas and feedback. Problem-solving skills. Problem-solving skills is the way that one is able to effectively solve a problem in a timely manner. Staff Attorney Overview.

What Is a Staff Attorney?

A staff attorney works for a law firm or another organization. Staff attorneys are associates with law degrees who have passed the Bar Exam in their states. They research, analyze, and write about complex legal issues. Duties and responsibilities of all staff attorney jobs include legal research and support to the partners in a law firm.

How to Become a Staff Attorney

To become a staff attorney, you typically need to meet the same qualifications for other attorneys, including graduating from an accredited bachelor’s degree and law school program, passing the state bar exam, and becoming licensed.

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What is important to a firm when managing documents?

As you manage your firm’s documents, it’s important to have a process that includes what to save and what to shred, even in a paperless office. When it comes to client files:

What is a process in law?

In your law firm, processes ensure you can easily locate contacts, tasks, emails, documents, and more associated with your clients. They also help you use your time and resources efficiently and ensure your staff does the same.

How to create a timeline for a project?

Creating a timeline. Create a timeline that outlines the steps you must take to reach the goal, including deadlines for each task or step. Defining who’s responsible. Identify who’s responsible for each task or step, as well as who’s responsible for bringing the project to final completion .

How to keep everyone on the same page?

To keep everyone on the same page and your projects moving forward as they should, implement a project management tool. These tools allow you to create tasks, mark tasks complete, track all your projects, and more, all in one place. Plus, they enhance team collaboration, regardless of location.

What is the purpose of project management?

Proper project management ensures your team remains productive, regardless of the size or type of project at hand. In its most basic form, effective project management involves: Setting a goal. With each project you start, you must set a goal, whether it’s a client case, a new marketing initiative, or something else.

What is an associate in law?

Associates: New or inexperienced attorneys and part-time practitioners of larger firms are called associates . Associates do not own part of the firm and thus are considered non-equity, but they have the potential of becoming a partner in the future. They deal with new or lower profile clients and charge lower fees than partners.

What is a manager in a company?

The manager also is responsible for overseeing the everyday operations of office functionality and a multitude of other tasks that otherwise would take time away from the partners' regular duties.

What is a computer system manager?

The computer system manager is vital to the operation of a law office of any size, as without proper functioning of the office's network, serious problems would occur. This person usually answers directly to the office manager. Associates: New or inexperienced attorneys and part-time practitioners of larger firms are called associates.

What is a future associate?

Future associates often are hired from the pool of law clerks that work for a particular firm while earning their law degrees. Paralegal/legal assistant: A paralegal has specialized training but is not an attorney. She or he works under the supervision of and directly with partners, associates, and clerks.

What is the job of a paralegal?

Paralegals have many job duties, including drafting motions and subpoenas, document review, and filing papers with courts. Paralegals traditionally have dealt more with procedural law than with substantive law.

What is a data entry clerk?

Data entry clerks: These positions often are part-time and require the inputting of certain data into the main computer system as needed. Those who act as data entry clerks in a law firm usually answer to the IT manager or the office manager. Educational Requirements for Specific Jobs.

What is a special counsel?

Special counsel: Law degree and bar exam for practicing state. Law Clerks: Recently earned or earning law degree. Paralegal/legal assistant: Special training in the paralegal field, usually an associate's degree from a certified college or a certification from a paralegal training program.

What is the role of a manager in a company?

As a manager yourself, it is essential to understand and adhere to the ethical and legal obligations of your position in order to meet the expectations of all stakeholders, and to set an example of such behavior for others.

What is the role of ethics in management?

The Role of Business Ethics in Management Responsibilities. Organizations place a considerable amount of trust in their management. From the CEO on down, managers have a responsibility in ensuring that both they and their subordinates behave ethically and in the best interest of both primary and secondary stakeholders.

What happened to Enron and Tyco?

In 2002, managers at all levels from companies such as Enron, Tyco and WorldCom engaged in ethically shameful, irresponsible behavior such as conspiracy, securities fraud, insider trading, making false statements, and accounting fraud, and were subsequently punished through various civil and criminal judgments. Employees, investors, creditors, and shareholders all demanded that action be taken through courts of law, which is what happened. Some former management from these now-defunct companies remain behind bars, serving up to nearly 25 years in prison.

What is the definition of law?

Law is defined as "the principles and regulations established onto a community by some authority and applicable to its people , whether in the form of legislation or of custom and policies recognized and enforced by judicial decision.".

What are the origins of law?

The origins of law within the United States are: the U.S. Constitution, federal and state laws, administrative agency (Depart ment of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy, etc.) rules and regulations, federal and state judiciary decisions, and executive orders.

How do businesses affect stakeholders?

Businesses can either positively or negatively affect its stakeholders through its activities, objectives, and policies. Likewise, stakeholders can also positively or negatively affect businesses. A stakeholder can be defined as any group, organization, or person that has an interest in the activities of an organization.

Where did ethics come from?

The word 'ethics' itself originates from the Greek word ethikos, derived from ethos, ...

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The Difference Between Leadership Skills and Managing People

  • Being a lawyer manager today means knowing how to be a business person, a people person, and an expert in the law. This means if you’re managing a law firm with people other than you working there, you’ll need to learn and develop leadership skills and management skills. While these are complementary skills, the difference between the two is subtle and important. Dwight …
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Training For People Management

  • Most lawyers have never been trained to manage others. In fact, traditional law firm management simply had senior attorneys managing junior attorneys. Often, there was a culture of “paying your dues” rather than any sort of functional management structure, after all, senior attorneys shouldn’t be responsible for managing everyone. Today, many firms continue the horrible cycle of a “pay y…
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Functional Management, Overseeing Teamwork, and Decision Making

  • Just like senior attorneys managed junior attorneys, traditional law firms managed through a partnership committee. But like this management model is outdated and often does more harm than good. When everyone is in charge of everything, nobody is actually in charge of anything. Plus, management by committee is an inefficient process. Among other issues, more time is sp…
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Essential Management and Role Modeling

  • People management isn’t easy. It takes time to do well, and to learn to do it well may come at the cost of other work being neglected. We’ve talked about the necessary skills for people management. As you’re starting out in developing this skill, here’s where you should be putting your focus: Leadership. Develop your leadership skills. A strong leader can drive the firm forwar…
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Encouraging Staff Wellness

  • The traditional lawyer managers are known to make their employees sick and miserable. Lawyers and legal staff often suffer from higher rates of mental illnesses, stress, and substance abuse than those in other professions. Law firms also create competitive environments where team members might even work against each other to maximize their own personal gain. This is not t…
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Mentors, Peer Groups, and Coaches

  • To foster an even more collaborative and employee-oriented culture, you can implement a mentor, peer group, or coaching system in your firm. Especially for junior attorneys, having a mentor to show them the ropes helps them feel more focused and excited about their work. People want to know they’re doing well at their job, and having a mentor helps facilitate that feeling. Having pee…
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Human Resources

  • Human resources is a large and complicated topic that encompasses things from hiring and staffing to employee benefits to handling complaints against other employees or policies. HR is also a key tool in people management. HR has a huge effect on the culture and environment at your law firm, setting the tone on how people communicate, resolve conflicts, and work with eac…
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