Keep an eye on Kirsty`s series on the ins and outs of the practice manager role. The practice manager can act as a concierge for timekeepers on a daily basis, providing them with a single point of contact to quickly find solutions. Because practice managers spend all their time integrating business priorities with the firm`s needs, they have a unique vision of how to get things done: what is clear is that a practice manager is the operational power behind an army of royalty recipients, and the need for such a practice should not be underestimated. These are business-oriented individuals who keep a law firm under control, especially with stricter compliance, which is required than ever before with new laws and numerous regulatory bodies. It could be said that a practice manager assumes the role of chief operating officer in an SME law firm. A law practice manager, sometimes referred to as a legal practice manager or practice support director, is a person with management responsibilities in a law firm. The duties of a law firm manager depend on the specific role and its purpose. [1] [2] A practice manager achieves the business objectives of practice management while taking care of the needs of timekeepers. Taken together, this harmonizes problems and facilitates questions, so that the firm`s business runs efficiently. In addition, they add value by translating their unique perspectives – infused with both basic and basic information – to solve problems and create and communicate initiatives. The scope and length of Practice Manager jobs vary widely from company to company, so expect starting salaries for Practice Managers ranging from £20,000 for administration-led positions to higher-level packages reaching £70,000.
As Head of the Practice Support Office, you will lead and manage a practice group within the firm. Your responsibilities will include overseeing all case management, supporting functions and coordinating lay staff to ensure the achievement of the practice group`s strategic objectives. Typically, your position reports to the practice group chair, managing partner or chief executive officer of the firm. As an operations management leader, you need to engage in innovation and oversee change management. Becoming an expert for all functional IT systems, administrative functions, processes and best practice requirements is essential here. Human resource management is about achieving the desired level of employee performance. In a law firm, this would mean dealing with partners, lawyers, paralegals, legal secretaries and other auxiliaries. Having the confidence to deal effectively with people at all these levels is critical to success. Practice managers can also summarize these daily concerns and questions from timekeepers into constructive feedback and ideas they bring back to exercise leadership with reflections on new initiatives and optimizations to improve morale and overall performance. Sometimes even just helping people feel heard and giving voice to their concerns can be morally stimulating in itself. They are primarily responsible for financial management, human resource management and professional development. Financial management tasks include developing and monitoring the departmental budget, monitoring monthly billing cycles, and approving supplier invoices.
Human resources responsibilities include evaluating the performance of support staff, identifying and creating new staffing positions, and managing all aspects of the practice group`s human resources functions, including recruitment. They coordinate the assessment of lawyers, manage and oversee training and development programs, and work closely with the firm`s recruitment and retention committees. Kirsty Pappin, winner of the LPM Practice Excellence 2020 Practice Manager of the Year award, talks about the role of the Legal Practice Manager. Especially in small law firms, a strong practice manager is of utmost importance; There are so many responsibilities that don`t change with the size of the company, but in a large company, there are usually more managers. In a small business, there will probably only be one. It`s a dirty role and responsibility where you get your hands dirty. Business awareness has become more important than ever – as an LMP, you should know this even in your sleep. The role of a practice manager (or practice manager) in an SME law firm can be ambiguous. Its importance may vary depending on the needs of the business, including its size, structure, affordability and future plans.
No two job specifications created for the role will ever be the same, and often there are no job specifications at all, just an overall description of what the company is looking for, which, let`s face it, pretty much everything! For many companies, personality affiliation and innovation are key to hiring. Qualifications certainly matter, but recruiters are looking for more than just a degree! This is the person. Through our experience and collaboration with many LPMs, we know that law and HR firms look for impressive backgrounds in leading law firms when hiring a manager, but a strong accounting background in a quick professional services business leader will also put you firmly in the race. The key to law firm recruitment is someone who can demonstrate leadership, adaptability, and business vision – it`s not just about ticking boxes! Practice managers are responsible for the management and retention of their lawyers and staff at all levels.
