Law Office Management

Call Number: 10837
Course Number: 6915-02
Professor: Catherine MacPherson
Credit Hours & Type of Credit: 1
Semester Offered: Fall
Required: No
Prerequisites: Students must have completed their first year of law school.
Recommended Courses: None

Course Overview: (Meets 8/20 - 10/3/2012) This is a “how-to” course which introduces the student to the law office as an operating business. This course covers, in a practical manner, the various aspects of establishing and operating a law office, including: section of practice entity, office location, equipment, software; supervision of employees; marketing of legal services; maintaining client relations; attorney timekeeping and client billing; establishing fees rates and fee agreements; revenue projections, start-up and operating law office budgets; operating systems that comprise the modern law office, including docket control, record and file management and conflict management systems; delivering quality legal services to clients. Managing yourself as a professional attorney, both in the community and judicial system, is also covered during the course.

Course Materials: See the current Book List located under Courses and Curriculum.
Course Format: Lecture and class participation.
Written Assignments: 1. Team Project: Short written outline with supporting materials and cited authority, which will accompany the short oral team presentation to the class. 2. Individual Project: Written project regarding law office management.
Type of Exam: Individual project regarding law office management. Professor will provide the topics/essential elements to be addressed.
Basis for Grading Student Performance: 10% class attendance and participation; 25% team project (written outline and oral presentation to class); 65% individual project.
Other Comments: Enrollment is limited to 14 students. Students will be enrolled in order of pre-registration, or at the professor's discretion. Once the class is full, you will be placed on a wait list.