The Real Life of aThe Real Life of aLaw Firm AdministratorLaw Firm Administrator

Ernie GauvreauErnie GauvreauGowling Lafleur Henderson LLPGowling Lafleur Henderson LLP

Principal Areas of ResponsibilityPrincipal Areas of Responsibility

• FinancesFinances

• The PeopleThe People

• Strategic MattersStrategic Matters

• EquipmentEquipment

• FacilitiesFacilities

• MarketingMarketing

How Do Finances WorkHow Do Finances Workin a Law Firm?in a Law Firm?

HoursHours XX RateRate ++ LeverageLeverage -- ExpensesExpenses == ProfitProfit

TurnoverTurnover

TimeTime toto CashCash

Where does the Money Go ...?Where does the Money Go ...?

• Employment ExpensesEmployment Expenses 38.0%38.0%• Occupancy CostOccupancy Cost 8.0% 8.0%• Operating CostOperating Cost 7.5% 7.5%• Business DevelopmentBusiness Development

& Marketing& Marketing 5.0% 5.0%

Total ExpensesTotal Expenses 58.5%58.5%

Net Profit – Partnership Share – 41.5%*Net Profit – Partnership Share – 41.5%** Partnership Distribution* Partnership Distribution

People – Our Greatest AssetPeople – Our Greatest Asset

• Balance people with work flowBalance people with work flow

• Managing relationshipsManaging relationships

• Salary and benefit administrationSalary and benefit administration

• Training and developmentTraining and development

• Talent searchTalent search

• RetentionRetention

Equipment ... Can’t live without itEquipment ... Can’t live without it

• Assessing software and hardware Assessing software and hardware needsneeds

• Following trendsFollowing trends

• Cost vs. RecoveryCost vs. Recovery

Facilities ... The PlantFacilities ... The Plant

• Assessing space needsAssessing space needs

• Re-aligning to fit work flowRe-aligning to fit work flow

• Image and EgoImage and Ego

• Repairs and MaintenanceRepairs and Maintenance

• ErgonomicsErgonomics

Strategic Matters – What’s Next?Strategic Matters – What’s Next?

• Trends in the professionTrends in the profession

• Understanding your marketUnderstanding your market

• Business and People needsBusiness and People needs

• Demographics and successionDemographics and succession

• What’s the next move?What’s the next move?

Marketing –Marketing – I know I should,I know I should,but how?but how?

• Encouraging business Encouraging business development activitydevelopment activity

• Expense vs. BenefitsExpense vs. Benefits

• Who and How ...Who and How ...

• Taking care of business ...Taking care of business ...

Your Role ... Managing Knowledge Your Role ... Managing Knowledge and Informationand Information

• Remember what we sell ...Remember what we sell ...

• Ensure the best value ...Ensure the best value ...

• Catalyst for information sharing...Catalyst for information sharing...

• Yes – Recoveries are importantYes – Recoveries are important

• Make sure you’re part of the Make sure you’re part of the marketing processmarketing process

• Become Go-To PersonBecome Go-To Person

Questions ?Questions ?

Thank You.Thank You.

Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLPGowling Lafleur Henderson LLP