The Business of Law

This panel composed of three successful defence lawyers who run their own businesses will discuss how to run a law practice. Panelists will discuss the basics of running a practice from a business perspective and the lessons they’ve learned from doing so. They will discuss marketing, following the Law Society’s and Legal Aid Ontario’s rules and requirements, managing staff, diversity issues in the workplace, mentorship, and work-life balance. Our fourth panelist will provide information about business structures and succession planning. Professionalism and EDI topics include:

• 3.1 Marketing legal services in accordance with professional obligations (e.g., advertising nature of practice, advertising fees)
• 3.2 Understanding practice arrangements, including  partnerships, multi-discipline practices or partnerships, limited liability partnerships, affiliations, inter-provincial law firms, professional corporations
• 3.5 Maintaining reminder or tickler systems
• 3.6 Using effective time management systems
• 3.7 Maintaining proper books and records
• 3.8 Implementing systems for file organization, retention, and disposal
• 3.9 Meeting financial obligations to third parties
• 3.10 Managing undertakings
• 3.11 Training, supervising and delegating to staff
• 3.13 Succession planning
• 3.16 Understanding the business of law, including financial considerations, client development and strategic planning
• 3.17 Technology in a law or legal services practice, including considerations related to security of information, productivity and efficiency
• 3.18 Complying with Legal Aid Ontario provisions and procedures
• 5.3 Best practices for career and profile management as a legal professional
• 5.4 Mentoring best practices for lawyers and paralegals
• 5.5 Work/life balance and wellness principles for lawyers and paralegals
• 6.1 Value of diversity and inclusion
• 6.5 Special responsibilities of lawyers and paralegals to respect the human rights laws in force in Ontario
• 6.6 How to prevent and address discrimination and harassment
• 6.7 Best practices for workplace diversity and inclusion