Legal Issues

It is crucial to keep a good image of a law firm so as to gain and maintain the potential clients trust (Henderson  Galanter, 2008). The manner in which the law firm shows its outward image clearly tells what the law firm is with all the activities and the quality therein. Majority of law firms have attempted to employ various techniques to present the best image to their potential clients but each of the method applied has specific effectiveness and no one method is similar to the other. Another important aspect in any law firm apart from creating a good image is the importance of a good law office manager. It is imperative to have a competent law office manager who will be involved in automating various functions of a law firm to sustain the smooth running (Henderson  Galanter, 2008). This paper is aimed at explaining various techniques employed by law firms to create its good image to the prospective employers. In addition, specific methods of presenting law firm image will be evaluated. The second part of this paper will involve the explanation of the duties of a law office manager who is a very important member of the management of a middle-sized law office. During recruitment of this important position, it is necessary to look for specific characteristics in an individual which will merge with the duties required in the management of a law office.

Marketing a law firm is analogous to any form of marketing involved in other products. It therefore shares the similar requirement that professionalism is highly valued (Henderson  Galanter, 2008). Professionalism constitutes the mode of dressing, the style of performing duties and the general quality of the law firms work.

Several marketing companies have employed promotional materials about themselves. Similarly, law firm should consider providing promotional materials to their clients although this has been very rare particularly in law firms dealing with criminal defense.

Posting some articles about a law firm in local newspapers can achieve significant marketing goals (Henderson  Galanter, 2008). Explaining terms in the local newspaper and clearly analyzing the activities of the law firm will provide the potential clients with a glimpse about the firm.  Publications may also include writing scholarly articles in professional journals explaining law reviews. This strategy has not been so often employed but has a potential to show the image of a law firm.

Other important techniques of marketing a law firm exist. These techniques include websites, yellow pages, signage, civic affairs and organizing events to increase publicity. Birthday and Christmas cards may also be used in marketing ventures. All in all, these methods used appropriately can keep the good image of a law firm. For a law firm to succeed in its functions, a competent law office manager is required. The duties of this position entail the supervising support staff and facilitation administrative activities. This is a supervisory position which requires an individual to independently make decision to appoint, promote, evaluate, transfer, suspend, discharge and adjudicate all grievances of the subordinate personnel (Henderson  Galanter, 2008).
Other duties in the law office will include the arrangement on the repair and maintenance of office furniture and equipment, administration of record management system, control and reconciliation of petty cash and the maintenance of office supplies. An individual best suited for this position need to have the ability to supervise, motivate, train and evaluate employees (Henderson  Galanter, 2008). He or she must have strong skills in written and oral communication. Skills in computer applications, organization and time management will be a requirement of any law office manager. This is an important role in a law firm and the recruitment should be done with rigor as the position will determine how the firm will be run.