Law Practice Management


Fall 2008
   
Course Outline
   
Wednesdays, 5:30 - 7:30 pm | Room 345
   

   
Part 1: Basic Business Management
 
#
Date
Instructor
Topics
 
1
8/27
Adkins
Marraffino

Introduction to Law Practice Management

  • The Law Firm as a Business
  • General Practice or Specialization
  • Solo or Partnership (P.A., Subchapter-S, Corporation)
  • Setting Fees
 
2
9/3
Adkins
Marraffino
  • Financial Management (Bank Accounts, Time Keeping, Accounting)
  • Business Planning
  • Office Location
  • Facilities Management
  • Insurance, Initial Forms & Documents

 

   
Part 2: Law Practice Management
 
#
Date
Instructor
Topics
 
3
9/10
Marraffino

Litigation Practice Management - Part 1

  • Clients – intake, client expectations, educating your client
  • What to do first – demand or litigate
  • Drafting, preparing, filing and serving a complaint; dealing with the clerk's office and judicial assistants
  • Motion Practice, professional courtesy and the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure
 
4
9/17
Marraffino

Litigation Practice Management - Part 2

  • Discovery Methods – written and oral
  • Professional courtesy – working with opposing counsel and witnesses
  • What you can and cannot do in a deposition
  • Objections to discovery requests
  • Responding to discovery requests – deadlines & extensions
  • Preparing cases for trial
  • Resources for trial lawyers
 
5
9/24
Adkins

Technology: Software - Part 1

  • Back Office SW (T&B, Acct, Calendar, Email)
  • "Document Centric" Computing
  • "Core" Software Applications
 
6
10/1
Adkins

Technology: Software - Part 2

  • Front Office SW
  • Management SW Systems
  • Substantive SW Systems
 
7
10/8
Adkins

Technology - Hardware

  • Desktop Computers
  • Notebook Computers
  • Peripherals, Gadgets
  • Communications & Networks
  • Backups - Caring for Your Data
 
8
10/15
Marraffino

Representing the Business Client and Real Estate Transactions

  • Client Intake
  • Preparation of Corporate Documents; Subchapter "S", LLC, PA, Partnerships and Shareholder Agreements
  • Basic Real Estate Transactions – Contracts, issues in representing buyers and sellers in residential real estate and sales of small businesses
  • Bankruptcy - Practicing consumer bankruptcy, commercial software
  • Understanding basic bankruptcy concepts – automatic stay, discharge, etc.
 
9
10/22
Marraffino

Family Law - Is it for Me?

  • Lawyer as Counselor
  • Issues unique to Family Law litigation
  • Family Law rules of procedure
  • Elder Law Issues - Guardianship, estate planning & probate (Forms and Software)
 
10
10/29

Adkins

Record Keeping

  • Procedures for Documents, Time, Files
  • Manual File Management Systems
  • Electronic File Management Systems
  • Records Management and Records Retention
 
11
11/5
Guest Lecturer, LOMAS

Law Practice Management and The Florida Bar
 
12
11/12
Adkins
Marraffino

Client Development & Marketing Your Practice

  • Professional Development
  • Collaboration with other Attorneys
  • Cost-effective Marketing Methods
 
13
11/19

Marraffino
MAKEUP

Representing the Business Client and Real Estate Transactions

  • Client Intake
  • Preparation of Corporate Documents; Subchapter "S", LLC, PA, Partnerships and Shareholder Agreements
  • Basic Real Estate Transactions – Contracts, issues in representing buyers and sellers in residential real estate and sales of small businesses
  • Bankruptcy - Practicing consumer bankruptcy, commercial software
  • Understanding basic bankruptcy concepts – automatic stay, discharge, etc.
   
11/26
  

Thanksgiving Holiday - No Class

 

   
Part 3: Expanding Your Firm & Business
 
#
Date
Instructor
Topics
 
14
12/3
Adkins
Marraffino

Personal Development - Managing You

  • Ethics & Professionalism Responsibilities
  • Common Pitfalls
  • Balance & Quality of Life Issues
  • Pro Bono & Community Involvement
  • Law Practice Management Resources
  • End of Class