Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 07/22/08
LAS215 19946-20086	LEC	3 Credit(s)	3 Period(s)
Law Office Management
Basic management concepts involved in running a law office, including use of timekeeping, financial management, filing, calendaring, and monitoring systems. Utilization of key organizational theories in the selection and management of non-lawyer personnel. Prerequisites: LAS110 or permission of department chairperson or Program Director.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
LAS215   19946-20086	Law Office Management

1.	Describe the basic concepts of key organizational theories. (I)
2.	Organize an efficient timekeeping system. (II)
3.	Set-up an effective financial management system. (III)
4.	Set-up an efficient filing system for client files. (IV)
5.	Set-up an efficient and effective calendaring and monitoring system. (V)
6.	Prepare an effective staff manual. (VI)
7.	Prepare an effective how-to notebook. (VII)
8.	Identify and organize essential law office equipment. (VIII)
9.	Describe effective hiring practices for non-lawyer personnel. (IX)
10.	Describe techniques for maintaining open communication within a law office. (X)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
LAS215   19946-20086	Law Office Management

I. Organizational theories A. Scientific management B. Traditional theory of management (Weber) C. Human relations approach D. Humanistic approach E. Systems approach II. Timekeeping systems A. Survey of timekeeping techniques B. Advantages of contemporary timekeeping techniques C. Recording time D. Recording advances E. Preparing statements F. Computer applications III. Financial management systems A. Basic accounting principles B. Common billing practices C. Recommended billing techniques D. Recommended bookkeeping procedures E. Handling trust funds IV. Filing systems A. Use of alphabetic and numeric systems B. Use of common indexing methods C. Opening a client file D. Maintaining a client file E. Closing a client file V. Calendaring and monitoring systems A. Ethical implications of meeting deadlines B. Purposes behind tickler systems C. Setting up a tickler system D. Identification of important dates in calendaring E. Setting up and monitoring a docket control system VI. Preparation of staff manual A. Purpose of staff manual B. Putting together a staff manual 1. Writing style 2. Organization of content 3. Content of manual VII. Preparation of how-to notebooks A. Purpose of how-to notebook B. Putting together a staff manual 1. Writing style 2. Organization of content 3. Content of manual VIII. Essential law office equipment and layout A. Identification of appropriate equipment B. General considerations involved in the purchase of equipment 1. Deciding to rent or buy 2. Buying compatible and complementary equipment 3. Considering service and repair options C. Specific considerations involved in the purchase of reproduction equipment D. Specific considerations involved in the purchase of computers and automated information retrieval systems E. Specific considerations involved in the purchase of typewriters F. Law office layout 1. Consideration of intra-office communication 2. Secretary-attorney layouts IX. Hiring of non-lawyer personnel A. Task analysis B. Consideration of needs of attorneys based on legal specialties C. Recruitment of suitable candidates D. Development of selection criteria E. Interviewing process X. Inter-office communication A. Types of formal and informal communication B. Facilitators of open communication C. Inhibitors of open communication D. Development of positive communication skills

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