The demands made on your time and talent can be overwhelming when working in a small law office. Oftentimes, you end up needing to do everything from managing office operations to helping clients in any number of areas. Unfortunately, there is only one of you, so you need all the techniques available to stay on top of the game. This guide can give you the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully run a small office. Don't miss this chance to get up to speed – order today!

1. From Disarray to Symmetry: Effective Office Administration
2. The Balancing Act: Time and Financial Management
3. Getting Organized and Staying Organized: Effectively Using Management Systems
4. Maintaining Harmony in the Workplace Through Human Resource Management
5. Making a Connection: The Art of Communication
6. Keeping on Track: Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas and Malpractice

1. FROM DISARRAY TO SYMMETRY: EFFECTIVE OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
   9:00 - 10:00, James D. Smith
2. THE BALANCING ACT: TIME AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
   10:00 - 11:00, Patrick J. Ballard
1. Challenges to Handling the Work Load
2. Avoiding Systems That Increase the Burden
3. Timekeeping and Billing Basics
4. Billing Systems for the Small Office Environment
5. Budgeting and Account Management
6. Tips and Tricks for Effective and Efficient Time and Financial Management
7. Group Discussion: Challenges and Solutions
3. GETTING ORGANIZED AND STAYING ORGANIZED: EFFECTIVELY USING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
   11:15 - 12:15, James D. Smith
1. Paper Systems
2. Electronic Systems in the Average Software Package
3. Finding the Most Affordable and Effective Management System for Your Office
4. Secrets, Tips and Tricks to Effective Organizational Management
5. An Overview of Practice Management Systems for the Small Office Environment
6. Group Discussion: Challenges and Solutions
4. MAINTAINING HARMONY IN THE WORKPLACE THROUGH HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
   1:15 - 2:15, Jack T. Carney
1. Law Practice Policies and Procedures
2. Personnel Policies: What Works and What Doesn't
3. The Hiring and Firing Process
4. Total Quality Management
5. Sustaining Motivation in the Workplace
6. Group Discussion: Challenges and Solutions
5. MAKING A CONNECTION: THE ART OF COMMUNICATION
   2:30 - 3:30, Jack T. Carney
1. The Importance of Building Strong Client Relationships
2. Effective Verbal Communication
3. Practical Written Communication
4. Communication Within Your Office
5. Blogging and Social Networking
6. Group Discussion: Challenges and Solutions
6. KEEPING ON TRACK: AVOIDING ETHICAL DILEMMAS AND MALPRACTICE
   3:30 - 4:30, Patrick J. Ballard
1. Professional Responsibility
2. Conflict of Interest
3. Avoiding Unauthorized Practice of Law
4. Malpractice Prevention
5. Improvement and Clarification of Documentation
6. Documenting the Client-Business Relationship
7. Group Discussion: Challenges and Solutions

PATRICK J. BALLARD founded Ballard Law Office in Birmingham in 2000. He focuses his practice on personal injury, including auto, trucking, and construction accidents, wrongful death, workers' compensation and products liability. Mr. Ballard provides counsel to construction companies, homeowners and contractors. He earned his B.S. degree from Texas A&M and his J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Mr. Ballard is a member of the Birmingham Bar Association, where he was chairman of the Electronic Filing Protocols Committee. He is a past member of the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Bar Association and president of the Solo/Small Firm Section. Mr. Ballard also is a member of the Alabama Association for Justice, serving on its Executive Committee and is a member of the American Association for Justice.

JACK T. CARNEY has his own Birmingham law practice, focusing on the areas of wills, estates and general business law. Prior to opening his law practice, Mr. Carney practiced for several years in a large law firm's estate planning group. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Alabama and his J.D. degree from Tulane University Law School. Mr. Carney also earned a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) professional designation. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar and the Birmingham bar associations.

JAMES D. SMITH is a managing partner at the Law Offices of James D. Smith, LLC, where he practices in personal injury, criminal law, real estate litigation, mediation, consumer class action law suits, commercial litigation and civil rights and discrimination. He has served in the capacity of either the owner or managing partner of a law firm for 28 years. Mr. Smith has lectured to various professional groups on civil damages and environmental law issues along with risk management for medical professionals. He is a member of the Tuscaloosa and American bar associations, Alabama State Bar, Tuscaloosa Association for Justice, The American Association for Justice, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Alabama Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mr. Smith earned his B.S. degree, cum laude, from Samford University and his J.D. degree from the University of Alabama.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com