Description:

This course will acquaint the student with the general principles of law office management and will emphasize the unique characteristics of organizing and managing the law office or legal department. Projects will provide students with opportunities for practical application of law office management concepts. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe the applications of management principles within law firms.
2. Distinguish between the concepts of “practice” management and “operations” management.
3. Describe the function, and representative duties, of a legal administrator.
4. Identify and describe management-related career opportunities for the paralegal.
5. Identify and describe different types of law offices and other legal-related work environments, and their management systems.
6. Identify and describe the various aspects of law library management.
7. Explain the use of a “dedicated” law librarian.
8. Develop and implement procedures for managing the ordering and receipt of law library materials.
9. Evaluate, select, and implement a law library cataloging system.
10. Implement procedures for controlling and monitoring the use of law library materials.
11. Identify and explain potential malpractice issues related to docketing procedures, records management procedures, and personnel policies and procedures.
12. Evaluate, select, and implement a docketing system for use in the law office.
13. Evaluate, select, and implement a timekeeping system for use in the law office.
14. Identify and explain uses of timekeeping records.
15. Evaluate, select, and implement a billing system for use in the law office.
16. Evaluate, select, and implement systems and procedures for filing and retrieval of records, and for performing conflict-of-interest checks.
17. Develop and implement procedures for attracting, hiring, training, and evaluating law office support personnel.
18. Develop and produce a law firm personnel manual.
19. Identify and describe the physical-facility needs of a law firm, and be able to design a rough layout for the law office.
20. Coordinate and assist in the moving of a law firm from one location to another.
21. Develop and implement an inventory-control plan for maintaining office supplies.
22. Develop and implement procedures for purchasing and updating office equipment.
23. Assist in the analysis and development of budgeting and long-range business development plans.
24. Select and implement an accounting system for use in the law office.
25. Assist in the design and implementation of a marketing plan.

Content Outline & Competencies:

1. Introduction
   A. Philosophy of legal profession
      1. Describe the legal profession’s historic applications of
management principles and systems.
      2. Explain the ways in which law firms currently apply management
principles and systems.
   B. Management functions within law practice
      1. Identify and describe the concept of  practice” management.
      2. identify and describe the concept of  operations” management.
   C. Use of a legal administrator
      1. Identify and describe the function of the legal administrator.
      2. Identify and describe the typical responsibilities of the legal
administrator.
   D. Opportunities for career development
      1. Explain how an understanding of law office management principles
can enhance the non-management career opportunities of the paralegal.
      2. Identify opportunities for career development within the
management structure of a law firm or other legal environment.

II. Law Practice Environment
   A. Law firms
      1. Identify and describe the characteristics of different types of
sizes of law firms.
      2. Identify and describe the various types of lawyer
classifications.
      3. Describe the organizational structure of the typical law firm.
   B. Other
      1. Identify and describe other environments where lawyers are
employed.
      2. Explain the types of management systems typically utilized in
these environments.

III. Law Library Management
   A. Supervisory responsibility
      1. Identify and describe various methods of structuring the law
library management system.
      2. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a 
dedicated” law librarian.
   B. Law library management activities
      1. Develop procedures for making acquisition choices, placing
orders, and monitoring receipt of materials.
      2. Evaluate, select and implement a cataloging system and procedures
for integrating new materials into the law library collection.
      3. Create a system for managing and monitoring the use of law
library materials.

IV. Administrative Systems
   A. Docketing
      1. Identify and explain docketing-related malpractice issues.
      2. Evaluate, select and implement a docketing system for use in the
law office.
   B. Timekeeping
      1. Identify and explain the different methods of charging for legal
services.
      2. Evaluate, select and implement a timekeeping system for use in
the law office.
      3. Explain uses of timekeeping reports other than for billing
purposes.
   C. Billing
      1. Identify and explain the different types of fee arrangements used
by lawyers.
      2. Evaluate, select, and implement a billing system for use in the
law office.
   D. Records management
      1. Identify and explain records management-related malpractice
issues.
      2. Evaluate, select, and implement a conflicts-of-interest checking
system for use in the law office.
      3. Evaluate, select, and implement a filing system for use in the
law office.
      4. Develop and implement procedures for filing and retrieval of law
office records.
      5. Develop and implement procedures for retention and destruction of
case files and client records.

V. Personnel
   A. Management of law office support personnel
      1. Develop and implement procedures for recruiting, interviewing,
and hiring law office support personnel.
      2. Develop and implement procedures for training and evaluating law
office support       personnel.
   B. Legal issues
      1. Identify and explain personnel-related legal issues.
      2. Develop and produce a law office personnel manual.

VI. Facilities Management
   A. Physical requirement of the law office
      1. Identify and explain the factors involved in making choices with
respect to location and type of office facility.
      2. Design a layout for a law office.
   B. Moving the law office
      1. Explain the factors to be considered in the evaluation of office
facilities and leases.
      2. Develop, implement, and supervise procedures for moving the law
office from one location to another.

VII. Equipping and Furnishing the Law Office
   A. Office equipment, furniture, and supplies
      1. Identify and describe the various types of furnishings and
supplies needed to equip the law office.
      2. Develop and implement an inventory-control plan for maintaining
office supplies.
      3. Develop and implement procedures for purchasing and updating
office equipment and machinery.
   B. Working with vendors
      1. Identify and describe the advantages and disadvantages of working
with a single vendor vs. multiple vendors.
      2. Establish criteria for evaluating vendor performance.

VIII. Fiscal Control and Long-Range Planning
   A. Accounting systems
      1. Assist in the analysis and preparation of a law firm budget.
      2. Select and implement an accounting system for use in the law
office.
   B. Long-range planning
      1. Explain the importance of identification of law firm goals and
objectives.
      2. Participate in the development and implementation of a law firm
marketing strategy.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

A minimum of eight team projects    75% of course grade
Peer evaluation                     15% of course grade
Instructor evaluation               10% of course grade
                                   100%
  

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.