When and how to get help with the work of running your law office.

1. Help with the Work
Practice Management Tips
Beverly Michaelis, J.D.
Practice Management Advisor
Professional Liability Fund

2. Bookkeeper
Contract Paralegal
Lawyer
YOU
Virtual
Secretary
Receptionist

3. You Need Help If …
1. You are overwhelmed
2. Don’t like particular tasks
3. Lack the know-how

8. Secretarial/Clerical?
• File management
• Case management
• Phones
• Accounting
• Polishing work product

9. Legal Assistant/Paralegal?
1. Discovery
2. Drafting
3. Research
4. Prep and organization

10. Another Lawyer… ?
 Prepare and sign documents
 Meet with clients
 Represent clients

11. Specialized Help?

13. http://www.osbar.org/surveys_research/snrtoc.html

14. Staff Salaries
Support Services $12 - $14
Legal Secretary $22 - $25
Paralegal $27 - $30
http://www.mbabar.org/Resources/FrequentlyRequestedDocuments.html

15. Staff Benefits and Taxes
Salary (high end) $30.00
Benefits /taxes *.30
Total cost $39.00
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/costs-employee-vs-
independent-contractor-1077.html

16. One billable hour pays
for 4.6 hours of
high-end staff time
$182 vs $39

17. How to Get Started
1. Slack in the budget?
2. Commitment to bill?
3. Ongoing or temporary?
4. Who can do it more efficiently?

18. Budget for Outsourcing?

19. Other Professionals
• Business coach
• Marketer
• IT/Web experts
• CPA

20. Save Money!
1. Virtual / home office
2. Work-for-rent
3. Office share
4. Borrow space

21. 503-639-6911 or 800-452-1639
www.osbplf.org

23. Beverly Michaelis
Practice Management Advisor
beverlym@osbplf.org
503-639-6911 or 800-452-1639
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/beverlymichaelis
Twitter: http://twitter.com/OreLawPracMgmt
Blog: http://oregonlawpracticemanagement.com/