ByLawyers News and Updates

Opportunities for law firms – All states

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Opportunities for law firms during the COVID-19 period

This time of reduced activity presents opportunities for law firms to find efficiencies, upskill staff and switch focus to diversify into other practice areas.

Despite the encouragement to self-help with the writings of such luminaries as Stephen Covey the one habit that remains rigid is the resistance to change. Covey’s advice is to work on the practice not just in the practice. This is an ideal time to do so.

Office organisation provides the basis of profitable and worry-free practice. Profit is not necessarily related to size or location or how busy a firm may be. Busy firms are often poor profit performers due to poor managerial practices. The more profitable firms simply better organise and manage their practices. This is achievable through the use of LEAP’s matter and accounts management software and By Lawyers Practice Management Guide and Office Policies, both uniquely suitable for handling matters remotely.

Accompanying work on office organisation is the opportunity to supplement the firm’s precedents, which are generally dependent on the personal knowledge and style of the practitioner and are often accessed from previously closed files or written anew each time. This practice can now be improved and supplemented with By Lawyers professionally drafted precedent packages ensuring complete subject matter coverage and consistency.

By Lawyers resources

By Lawyers have the resources to enable advantage to be taken of these opportunities for law firms. The By Lawyers precedents are presented in sequential order in a plan for the conduct of each matter from opening to closing each file from compliant disclosures and initial letters through all required documents to final letters. All of the precedents are contained within the LEAP software and have been automated with fields and codes.

To assist practitioners in the practice and law behind every precedent By Lawyers present a unique system of integrating research commentary with the precedents with outgoing links to legislation and case law when required. This system allows even the rustiest practitioner to successfully and compliantly navigate a less familiar area of law and satisfy the client by producing the desired outcomes on time. At present it is difficult to turn away any work simply because it might be outside a firm’s normal experience. All new work creates more new work. Witness the family law client that needs new wills and the sale and purchase of a home or a business purchaser who needs a company shareholders agreement or a partnership agreement.

By Lawyers daily keeps up to date with changes to law and practice removing this concern from then firm. Ideal for staff training, undertaking new work and being more productive By Lawyers guides are only available as a companion product to LEAP Legal Software and are perfect for those working from home or in the office.

Coronavirus legal issues – All states

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Dealing with coronavirus legal issues is currently a major challenge for legal practitioners everywhere. A great deal of emergency legislation has been passed already in response to the pandemic, both temporary and permanent. Temporary arrangements are daily being introduced by courts, land registries and other authorities to allow business to be transacted despite the need for social distancing. There are also practical measures that can and must be taken to allow practitioners to continue to provide their services and assist their clients.

By Lawyers have produced a publication which brings together in one place a collection of practical information to help the profession at this time. Dealing with coronavirus legal issues is a valuable resource for lawyers. It is now available by clicking on the link at the top of the matter plan in every By Lawyers Guide.

The content within Dealing with coronavirus legal issues is also published here on our Obiter News and Updates site.

The Dealing with coronavirus legal issues publication will be updated and enhanced as the response to the pandemic develops. As always, By Lawyers will keep practitioners abreast of ongoing changes and provide our trademark practical assistance to guide the profession in these difficult times.

CLE/CPD requirements – All states

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Timely compliance with CLE/CPD requirements has suddenly become a challenge for many small law firms. This is a result of the cancellation of seminars due to COVID-19.

With their ability to attend external events unexpectedly curtailed, the burden of professional education has reverted to firms to manage in-house. And they must do so within the strictures of remaining safe from virus risks.

Fortunately, By Lawyers can make this assist.

In-house training for CLE/CPD requirements

The By Lawyers guides are a great resource for professional education.

Whether in the office or working from home, lawyers can:

  • Read the By Lawyers Commentaries – whether relevant to their current matters, or in areas of law that they seek to brush-up on, or move into;
  • Delve into the By Lawyers Reference manuals, such as 1001 Conveyancing Answers, 101 Family Law Answers or 101 Subpoena Answers – providing detailed information and current case law related to specific client issues, or general legal concepts;
  • Review and practice drafting more complex documents in various areas of law, using By Lawyers precedents – such as an affidavit and example content in a litigation matter type;
  • Have a ‘Q & A’ session with a colleague by email or video-link – where each lawyer raises questions about practice and procedure or points of law for the other person to answer from the By Lawyers guides;
  • Present to the other members of the firm on-line by referencing or screen-sharing the relevant By Lawyers guide.

Even the compulsory units on practice management and business skills can be addressed via the By Lawyers Practice Management Guide and the related Reference Manual 101 Policies and Procedures. With sections on ethics, business planning and financial management, lawyers can use these resources to present to their colleagues or read for their own benefit.

The breadth, depth and easy accessibility of By Lawyers content makes it easy for firms to comply with in-house CLE/CPD requirements under their own steam, in any way that suits them.

These are tough times for everyone; lawyers in legal practices included. Complying with the relevant CLE/CPD requirements is a real challenge. By Lawyers makes it easier.

Training and supervision – Podcast

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Training and supervision of junior professional staff is a critical area for law firms. It impacts directly on many key areas of the practice: quality and consistency of output, productivity, team harmony and staff retention – and perhaps most importantly of all client satisfaction.

Our Managing Director Brad Watts recently shared some thoughts, as part of a LEAP global podcast series, about how By Lawyers practical legal guides can assist with training and supervising junior lawyers. Brad has 25 years of legal practice experience and is one of the contributors to the By Lawyers Practice Management guide.

Listen to the podcast to hear how By Lawyers guides can assist firms and individual solicitors with their training and supervision requirements.

By Lawyers guides include detailed commentaries and reference materials which are powerful tools to help ensure junior lawyers  have the guidance and support they need, improving productivity and retention of staff, while easing the pressure on principals and more senior lawyers.

Enjoy practice more, with By Lawyers.

 

 

Privacy Act notifications – FED

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Two helpful new precedents have been added to the By Lawyers Practice Management guide to assist law firms required to make Privacy Act notifications to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has indicated that it considers law firms are subject to the mandatory disclosure provisions.

Privacy Act notifications are required where data breaches are likely to result in ‘serious harm’ to clients. These must be promptly reported to the OAIC and to the affected clients.

Notification is mandatory if the firm is aware of reasonable grounds to believe an eligible data breach has occurred. Firms becoming aware of a breach must make a rapid assessment, remediate if possible, then notify if required, without delay.

There is no specified form of notification to the affected individuals. A precedent is now provided on the matter plan – see Letter to client re Privacy Act data breach notification.

Notification to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner should be done via the online Notifiable Data Breach form on the OAIC’s website, also linked to from the matter plan. However, sometimes the very data breach which requires the notification to be made can also make reporting online impossible. To assist in such circumstances, a precedent letter is now provided on the matter plan where the online form cannot be accessed – see Letter to OAIC re Privacy Act data breach notification.

By Lawyers is presenting at the Small Law Industry Summit

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We are proud to be presenting as summit partners at the inaugural Small Law Industry Summit hosted by LEAP on 14 March 2019.

Tickets are selling fast – Secure your place at the Small Law Industry Summit here and be a part of the conversation on the future of the legal industry.

Our Managing Director Brad Watts will be presenting on law firm innovation through the four pillars of improved practice management.

The summit will also feature a number of not to be missed presentations from industry leaders on a range of key issues including leadership, risk mitigation, high-performance culture and the fundamental role of technology in shaping the future of the legal profession.

Get your early bird pass for a special rate of $95 and Claim 6 CPD points.

50% of each ticket sold will go towards supporting cyber security education – through a scholarship at Western Sydney University (WSU).

We hope to see you there!

 

The LEAP Small Law Industry Summit – March 2019

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By Lawyers is excited to announce that we will be presenting at the Small Law Industry Summit hosted by LEAP on 14 March 2019.

The Small Law Industry Summit is the first of its kind and will showcase some of the legal community’s most prominent thought leaders. Key issues which will be addressed include leadership, risk mitigation, practice management and innovation, high-performance cultures and the fundamental role of technology in shaping the future of the legal profession.

Our Managing Director Brad Watts will discuss the four pillars of improved practice management including:

  • the importance of client focus in a modern legal practice;
  • implementing systems and processes that naturally support success;
  • training and supervision to empower your staff and ensure quality; and
  • refocusing your efforts to find joy in practising law.

While it is often overlooked, effective practice management is the cornerstone of building a successful legal practice. Brad has more than 20 years experience in legal practice, including as a partner, director and consultant. His presentation will provide valuable insights for all small firms, whether new or well-established.

Register now to see presentations from By Lawyers and other industry leaders including the founder of LEAP Legal Software, AFR Rich-Lister and EY Australian Entrepreneur of the Year 2017, Christian Beck.

Attendees will be able to claim 6 CPD points.

About By Lawyers

By Lawyers is dedicated to helping lawyers enjoy practice more.

We have over 7,000 precedents and 140 end-to-end legal practice guides. We specialise in offering  practical and professional guidance for all major areas of law. Every piece of By Lawyers content is written or reviewed by a solicitor or barrister practising in the applicable state or federal jurisdiction.

About LEAP

For over 25 years, LEAP has been at the forefront of delivering innovative technologies designed to advance and protect the efficiency, flexibility and growth of the small law industry.

Secure your place at the Small Law Industry Summit here.

50% of each ticket sold will go towards supporting cyber security education – through a scholarship at Western Sydney University (WSU).

Practice management – The key to a successful law firm

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Our Practice Management guide has undergone a substantial review to better address the challenges facing small law firms now. We have tailored our Practice Management Guide to provide assistance for all firms, whether start-up, breakaway or well established.

Our Practice Management guide contains commentary on running a successful legal practice, covering the following main areas:

  • How to perform a Legal Practice Health Diagnostic Check – a very useful tool for identifying existing strengths and areas where the firm can improve, or as a check-list for start ups.
  • Business planning for a law firm – including a SWOT analysis and environmental scan.
  • Ethics and professional responsibility – crucial to establishing reputation and managing risk.
  • The solicitor/client relationship – how to value and manage client relationships.
  • The employer/employee relationship – all of the essential information required for a firm to become an employer of choice.
  • Practice management – the essentials of managing the work performed by law firms including, matter and data management, financial management and trust accounting.

The By Lawyers Practice Management guide also contains many helpful precedents, such as:

  • Example costs disclosures.
  • Example invoices.
  • An example mission statement for a law firm.
  • A risk management plan.
  • Employment forms – including an application for employment and a new employee check-list.
  • An example asset register.
  • Forms for conducting file reviews.
  • Document safe custody records.
  • An example law firm client satisfaction survey.

Also included in the guide is our Reference Manual – 101 Policies and Procedures which covers most aspects of running a legal practice. Firms can seamlessly implement these policies and procedures as their own with a view to later development and enhancement, or use them as the basis for refreshing and enhancing existing policies and procedures already in place.

The By Lawyers Practice Management Guide also includes helpful articles including The 11 habits of highly successful small law firms by the Global Executive Chairman of LEAP, Richard Hugo Hamman.

Grow your legal practice – NSW

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GROW YOUR LEGAL PRACTICE – PANEL DISCUSSION

There are many challenges facing today’s small law firms. Recently, LEAP have conducted a study with their clients, exploring the challenges commonly associated with running a small legal practice. This research reveals that in the first year of operations, 67% of firms complain of spending too much time on administrative tasks, 57% struggle with attracting new clients, 40% find it difficult to manage cashflow and 44% are not able to attain a healthy work-life balance.

On Thursday, 11th October LEAP are hosting a networking breakfast event in Sydney with the sole purpose of helping small law firms address these challenges. Our own editor Brad Watts will join a panel of experts, Rose Dravitzki (Clarence Chambers), Roxanne Hart (oLegal) and Youssef Maksisi (Maksisi Lawyers), to explore the topic of effective practice management.

During this interactive presentation, the panellists will draw on their many years of legal experience and share their personal stories of starting and managing their own practices. Attendees can look forward to engaging with the speakers and hopefully taking away some practical tips and strategies enabling them to differentiate, grow and enjoy their own practices.

Whether you are looking for new ways to grow your legal practice, need some new ideas for the management of your firm, or are simply curious to hear from others about the approaches taken to build and develop their practices, we invite you to attend this free event. We also encourage you to come with plenty of questions for the panel and make the most of the substantial amount of experience LEAP have collected together for this event.

REGISTER TODAY

For those unable to attend, the By Lawyers Practice Management Guide and the related Reference Manual 101 Policies & Procedures are always available to assist By Lawyers and LEAP subscribers with practice management ideas and issues.

 

Supervised legal practice – A new podcast from By Lawyers and LEAP

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Many small firms have lawyers on the team who are still in their first two years of practice and therefore subject to a condition on their practising certificate that they may only engage in supervised legal practice.

Join our Senior Consultant and Editor Brad Watts and LEAP National Marketing Manager Claire James for a discussion on the ways in which proper supervision is important for both the firm and for junior lawyers and how it can be an essential element of running a successful small law firm, as a means to ensure delivery of high quality client outcomes and a vital risk management tool.

The President of the NSW Law Society recently highlighted the importance of senior practitioners meeting their supervisory obligations to junior practitioners who are subject to the restriction of supervised legal practice in their first 2 years. This podcast discusses the factors which impact – and sometimes impede – proper supervision in small legal practices and how the By Lawyers guides and precedents can help firms comply with their supervision requirements.

The podcast covers the general supervision requirements and also looks at some specific By Lawyers precedents which can assist firms with their supervision obligations, such as Retainer Instructions and To Do lists.

Oh, and with some help from John Grisham, we also learn why Australian lawyers are better than American lawyers!

 

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