Lawyer Portal Careers Contact Us

Law Society of Alberta

  • Who We Are
    • Indigenous Land Acknowledgements

      Indigenous land acknowledgements to recognize the traditional territories that the Law Society of Alberta serves.
      • About Us
      • Executive Leadership Team
      • Board & Committees
        • Board Directory
        • Board Meetings
        • Committees and Task Forces
        • Other Bodies
      • Key Initiatives
        • Indigenous Initiatives
        • COVID-19 Updates
      • Engagement with Public and Profession
      • Affiliations
      • Annual & Financial Reports
      • Strategic Plan
      • Awards & Scholarships
        • Distinguished Service Awards
        • Recognition of Service
        • Scholarships
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • For the Public
    • Complaints

      Find out more about the types of complaints the Law Society can or cannot help you with and how to file a complaint.
      • Find a Lawyer
      • Complaints
      • Finding Files & Wills
      • Public Resources
      • Financial Claims
      • Notices
      • Careers
  • Lawyers & Students
    • COVID-19 Updates

      An archive of announcements, information and resources.
      • Become a Lawyer
      • Membership Services
      • Forms & Certificates
      • Making A Payment
      • Trust Accounting & Safety
        • Responsible Lawyers
        • Filing Requirements
        • Anti-Money Laundering Model Rules
      • Professional Development
      • Fraud & Loss Prevention
      • Practice Advisors
      • Practice Management Consultations
      • Approved Legal Services Providers
      • Complaints
      • Equity Ombudsperson
      • Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association
        • Report a Claim
        • Group Policy
        • ALIAlerts
        • ALIAdvisories
  • Resource Centre
    • Newest resource:

      Understanding and Avoiding Law Society Complaints
      • Learning Centre
      • Student Resources
      • Public Resources
      • Disaster Planning and Recovery
      • Upcoming Events
      • Media Room
      • eBulletins
      • Latest News
      • Lawyer Programs
        • Mentor Connect
        • Mentor Express
        • AdvisorLink
        • Locum Connect
        • Practice Management Consultations
        • SoloNet
        • Assist
      • Key Resources
        • Client Relationships
        • Communication & Research
        • Equity & Diversity
        • Ethics & Professionalism
        • Practice Management
        • Substantive Legal Knowledge
        • Trust Accounting & Safety
        • Wellness
        • Webinars
  • Regulation
    • Act, Code & Rules

      The Law Society of Alberta derives its authority from the Legal Profession Act and sets out standards through its Rules and Code of Conduct.
      • Act, Code & Rules
      • Hearings
        • Schedule
        • Decisions & Outcomes
        • Complaint Dismissal Appeals
        • Adjudicator Directory
        • Tribunal Office
      • Notices
        • Custodianship
        • Disbarment
        • Reinstatement
        • Resignation
        • Suspension
      • Unauthorized Practice of Law
  • Find a Lawyer
Resource Centre
  • Learning Centre
  • Lawyer Programs
    • Mentor Connect
      • Mentor Moments
    • Mentor Express
    • AdvisorLink
      • AdvisorLink Online Request
    • Locum Connect
      • Locum Listing
      • Locum Opportunity Listing
    • SoloNet
  • Key Resources
    • Client Relationship Management
    • Communication, Analytical & Research Skills
    • Ethics & Professionalism
    • Equity & Diversity
    • Practice Management
      • Leaving the Practice of Law
      • Returning to Practice
    • Substantive Legal Knowledge
    • Trust Accounting & Safety
    • Wellness
    • Webinars
      • Approved Legal Services Provider Webinar
      • Respectful Workplace Model Policy Webinar
  • Disaster Planning and Recovery
  • Student Resources
  • Public Resources
  • Upcoming Events
  • Media Room
  • eBulletins
  • Latest from the Law Society
  • Home
  • Resource Centre
  • Key Resources
  • Practice Management
  • CPD Tips: Practice Management
CPD Tips: Practice Management

Have you ever walked into your office, looked around and wondered, what happened here? Keeping our busy workloads under control can be a big challenge. Practice management is a competence to be honed and developed throughout our careers.

The practice management competency requires a lawyer to run their business practice in compliance with all legislative requirements and to manage office staff, files and finances.

While this competency varies across practice settings, there are many common themes such as time management, working with colleagues, as well as staff and file management.

Time management includes scheduling practices such as arranging and documenting court dates, setting up client or business meetings, and knowing and working towards deadlines. Whether in a traditional or non-traditional practice setting, time management is a skill most of us can improve upon.

Working with colleagues and staff looks very different in a sole-practitioner setting than it does in a mid-sized firm, large corporation, or government office. All of these settings require different types of practice management. Managing work flow to assistants and other colleagues will form part of this, as will managing the office space. For a new lawyer, this will look much different than it will for a managing partner. No matter the work arrangement or situation, this is an important area of focus as lawyers spend a great deal of time at the office and working with others.

Another important element of practice management is file management. Whether these are case or client files, project files, or any other form of work, there are common best practices to follow. This includes managing the progression of files as well the way they are stored and organized. Depending on your practice, this can also include conflicts issues, as well as document, evidence and disclosure management. Privacy, retention and destruction of files are key areas of file management. All lawyers should know and understand their obligations under the relevant privacy legislation. Learning more about this area could be an activity in your CPD plan this year.

One often overlooked area of practice management is succession planning. Life happens; we take vacations, experience health and family issues, change positions and, eventually, retire. Each of these events requires a plan.

The most basic starting point is: how will your practice be managed during a scheduled or unscheduled absence?  Is there someone available to take over during an emergency? Who will look after any issues that arise while you’re away?

While you may not have current plans to change jobs, and retirement may be a long way off, it never hurts to think about what will happen with your practice. Will you have someone else take on your practice or will you wind it down? What will you do with your files? Different practices have different document retention requirements and it is important to learn about the types of files you have and what happens to them if you change jobs tomorrow. In a large firm or big corporation, frequently there will be someone there to take over but that isn’t always the case. In-house counsel need to be aware of the internal retention and destruction policies in addition to limitations periods and other legal requirements for retention. This is also the case for crown prosecutors.

In any practice setting, are your files organized in a way that someone can come in and pick up where you left off, if that becomes necessary? In a traditional practice, can someone access and administer your office, your client files, your trust accounts, any client property, your office bills and general accounts? Is someone designated to do that? Succession planning brings up many questions we should ask ourselves at every stage in our careers. We, at the law society, see what happens to practices when emergencies arise and the unexpected happens with no plan in place. Learning about, and developing the elements of, a succession plan will protect both you and your clients.

Consider learning some new time management and office organization best practices this year. Work to develop a succession plan as part of your CPD activities.

Written by: Jennifer Freund, Policy Counsel

Printed from https://www.lawsociety.ab.ca on January 16, 2021 at 3:38:38 AM
Law Society of Alberta ©2021 Law Society of Alberta.
  • Latest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Careers
©2021 Law Society of Alberta.
  • Who We Are
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Executive Leadership Team
    • Board & Committees
      • Back
      • Board Directory
      • Board Meetings
      • Committees and Task Forces
      • Other Bodies
    • Key Initiatives
      • Back
      • Indigenous Initiatives
      • COVID-19 Updates
    • Engagement with Public and Profession
    • Affiliations
    • Annual & Financial Reports
    • Strategic Plan
    • Awards & Scholarships
      • Back
      • Distinguished Service Awards
      • Recognition of Service
      • Scholarships
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • For the Public
    • Back
    • Find a Lawyer
    • Complaints
    • Finding Files & Wills
    • Public Resources
    • Financial Claims
    • Notices
    • Careers
  • Lawyers & Students
    • Back
    • Become a Lawyer
    • Membership Services
    • Forms & Certificates
    • Making A Payment
    • Trust Accounting & Safety
      • Back
      • Responsible Lawyers
      • Filing Requirements
      • Anti-Money Laundering Model Rules
    • Professional Development
    • Fraud & Loss Prevention
    • Practice Advisors
    • Practice Management Consultations
    • Approved Legal Services Providers
    • Complaints
    • Equity Ombudsperson
    • Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association
      • Back
      • Report a Claim
      • Group Policy
      • ALIAlerts
      • ALIAdvisories
  • Resource Centre
    • Back
    • Learning Centre
    • Student Resources
    • Public Resources
    • Disaster Planning and Recovery
    • Upcoming Events
    • Media Room
    • eBulletins
    • Latest News
    • Lawyer Programs
      • Back
      • Mentor Connect
      • Mentor Express
      • AdvisorLink
      • Locum Connect
      • Practice Management Consultations
      • SoloNet
      • Assist
    • Key Resources
      • Back
      • Client Relationships
      • Communication & Research
      • Equity & Diversity
      • Ethics & Professionalism
      • Practice Management
      • Substantive Legal Knowledge
      • Trust Accounting & Safety
      • Wellness
      • Webinars
  • Regulation
    • Back
    • Act, Code & Rules
    • Hearings
      • Back
      • Schedule
      • Decisions & Outcomes
      • Complaint Dismissal Appeals
      • Adjudicator Directory
      • Tribunal Office
    • Notices
      • Back
      • Custodianship
      • Disbarment
      • Reinstatement
      • Resignation
      • Suspension
    • Unauthorized Practice of Law
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Lawyer Portal
  • Contact

Email: AdvisorLink

Fill in the form below to get in touch with AdvisorLink
  • 1. AdvisorLink (operated by the Office of the Practice Advisors) and the Advisors accept no liability whatsoever arising from assistance given to lawyers or to any persons claiming through or under them.
    2. Lawyers are obligated to independently verify statements of law, procedure or fact made to them by the Advisor, before relying on them.
    3. AdvisorLink must not be used as a substitute for the lawyers’ own thorough research and analysis or for the lawyers’ own professional judgment.

Email: Accounting

Fill in the form below to get in touch with Accounting
  • Drop files here or
      Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

    Email: Customer Service

    Fill in the form below to get in touch.
    • Drop files here or
        Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

      Email: General Feedback

      Fill in the form below to get in touch with General Feedback
      • Drop files here or
          Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

        Email: Communications and Media Relations

        Fill in the form below to get in touch with Communications and Media Relations.
        • Drop files here or
            Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

          Email: Indigenous Initiatives Liaison

          Fill in the form below to get in touch with Andrea Menard
          • Drop files here or
              Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

            Email: Membership Services

            Fill in the form below to get in touch with Membership Services
            • Drop files here or
                Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

              Email: Manager, Membership Services

              Fill in the form below to get in touch with Tina McKay
              • Drop files here or
                  Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                Email: Elizabeth Aspinall

                Fill in the form below to get in touch with Elizabeth Aspinall
                • Drop files here or
                    Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                  Email: Jesse Mackenzie

                  Fill in the form below to get in touch with Jesse Mackenzie
                  • Drop files here or
                      Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                    Email: Allan Guty

                    Fill in the form below to get in touch with Allan Guty
                    • Drop files here or
                        Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                      Email: SoloNet

                      Fill in the form below to get in touch with SoloNet
                      • Drop files here or
                          Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                        Email: Practice Management

                        • Drop files here or
                            Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                          Email: Nancy Bains

                          Fill in the form below to get in touch with Nancy Bains
                          • Drop files here or
                              Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                            Email: Inform Trust Safety

                            Fill in the form below to get in touch with Inform Trust Safety
                            • Drop files here or
                                Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                              Email: Trust Safety

                              Fill in the form below to get in touch with Trust Safety
                              • Drop files here or
                                  Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                Email: Information Management

                                Fill in the form below to get in touch with Information Management
                                • Drop files here or
                                    Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                  Email: Election

                                  Fill in the form below to get in touch with Election
                                  • Drop files here or
                                      Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                    Email: Justicia Project

                                    Fill in the form below to get in touch with Justicia Project
                                    • Drop files here or
                                        Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                      Email: Locum Connect

                                      Fill in the form below to get in touch with Locum Connect
                                      • Drop files here or
                                          Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                        Email: Mentor Connect

                                        Fill in the form below to get in touch with Mentor Connect
                                        • Drop files here or
                                            Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                          Email: Mentor Express

                                          Fill in the form below to get in touch with Mentor Express
                                          • Drop files here or
                                              Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                            Email: Indigenous Law Student Summer Employment Program

                                            Fill in the form below to get in touch with Indigenous Law Student Summer Employment Program
                                            • Drop files here or
                                                Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                              Email: ALIA

                                              Fill in the form below to get in touch with ALIA
                                              • Drop files here or
                                                  Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                                Email: ALIAlert fraud alerts

                                                Fill in the form below to get in touch with ALIAlert fraud alerts
                                                • Drop files here or
                                                    Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                                  Email: Equity Ombudsperson

                                                  Fill in the form below to get in touch with Elizabeth Aspinall
                                                  • Drop files here or
                                                      Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                                    Email: Tribunal Office

                                                    Fill in the form below to get in touch with Tribunal Office
                                                    • Drop files here or
                                                        Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.

                                                      Email: Custodianship

                                                      Fill in the form below to get in touch with Custodianship
                                                      • Drop files here or
                                                          Text, PDF, MSOffice, and Images only. Max size 20 MB.