Last week on HighStreetLawyer Workshare, it was the turn of Sheffield law firm Lewis Francis Blackburn Bray to inform, educate, cajole and encourage the other HSL member firms as our featured law firm. In reality LFBB Solicitors don't need an excuse to post as Rich Francis, their managing partner, is an avid networker and contributor to our social networking platform.
However, he used the week to describe the multiple roles that he has managing his South Yorkshire law firm. At times, being managing partner of a small law firm is like a series of acronyms. Rich is COLP, COFA and MLRO. While he does have the option of sharing these roles with his colleagues (unlike sole practitioners who be default have to wear many hats) Rich has decided that he needs to fulfil these roles personally to ensure that he has full coverage of what is going on. The problem it creates, even in a relatively small firm, is whether there is enough time to do any fee earning work. Other solicitors in a similar quandary, contributed to the discussion , giving examples of what works for them.
In any business cash is king and law firms are no exception. Most firms still bill monthly leaving fee earners scrabbling around at the end of the month billing work that they could have billed earlier and already had the money in for. Rich questioned why this was and whether any firms had any methods to change it. A brave move maybe, considering all of the fee earners at Lewis Francis Blackburn Bray are registered on HSL Workshare and even have their own group for their own discussions. I look forward to seeing whether they institute any changes.
Rich also spoke about the special relationship between High Street firms and their clients, acknowledging that most firms greatest asset and marketing opportunity is their existing client base but do firms really know what makes clients tick, why they use that firm, what else they need and how to get them coming back or recommending to others. It's a discussion that started at the HSL Strategy Day in March and continues to bubble along amongst our member firms.
Where else does this level of debate take place between owners and managers of small law firms across the country? Members share ideas, strategy, work referrals and even humour (dubious). We even received an insight last week into one partner's wishful day dreaming about his Bank Holiday activities. Join us for FREE on HSL Workshare. Sign yourself up or contact me for more details. A short chat to make sure that you are the type of firm that will add value to our network and that we can add value to you is needed before we approve your application but we look forward to welcoming you.
However, he used the week to describe the multiple roles that he has managing his South Yorkshire law firm. At times, being managing partner of a small law firm is like a series of acronyms. Rich is COLP, COFA and MLRO. While he does have the option of sharing these roles with his colleagues (unlike sole practitioners who be default have to wear many hats) Rich has decided that he needs to fulfil these roles personally to ensure that he has full coverage of what is going on. The problem it creates, even in a relatively small firm, is whether there is enough time to do any fee earning work. Other solicitors in a similar quandary, contributed to the discussion , giving examples of what works for them.
In any business cash is king and law firms are no exception. Most firms still bill monthly leaving fee earners scrabbling around at the end of the month billing work that they could have billed earlier and already had the money in for. Rich questioned why this was and whether any firms had any methods to change it. A brave move maybe, considering all of the fee earners at Lewis Francis Blackburn Bray are registered on HSL Workshare and even have their own group for their own discussions. I look forward to seeing whether they institute any changes.
Rich also spoke about the special relationship between High Street firms and their clients, acknowledging that most firms greatest asset and marketing opportunity is their existing client base but do firms really know what makes clients tick, why they use that firm, what else they need and how to get them coming back or recommending to others. It's a discussion that started at the HSL Strategy Day in March and continues to bubble along amongst our member firms.
Where else does this level of debate take place between owners and managers of small law firms across the country? Members share ideas, strategy, work referrals and even humour (dubious). We even received an insight last week into one partner's wishful day dreaming about his Bank Holiday activities. Join us for FREE on HSL Workshare. Sign yourself up or contact me for more details. A short chat to make sure that you are the type of firm that will add value to our network and that we can add value to you is needed before we approve your application but we look forward to welcoming you.
