Do your eyes glaze over at the mention of
time sheets, budgets, monthly billings and
collection problems? Mine too. The good news is
that the Association of Legal Administrators
does provide something for those in a plaintiff
firm. While we have some unique problems, we
also share many of the same concerns as those
working in a corporate law department or defense
firm. At the local level, monthly Chapter
meetings offer guest speakers on topics that are
of interest to every type of firm – personnel
issues, technology, stress & time
management, facilities issues, vendor relations,
and the list goes on. In addition, there are
great networking opportunities which can provide
good friends, helpful advice and smooth
transactions between opposing firms. There is
room for the P.I. firm administrator to become
an active voice on the chapter level and it is
up to those of us who fall within this arena to
get more involved.
In addition to the chapter activities, ALA
provides another venue to help us with the
"nitty gritty" of what plaintiff firms
do on a daily basis — the Personal Injury
Plaintiff Idea Exchange. PI administrators meet
on the day before the annual conference to
discuss such topics as mass torts – why and
why not get involved; planning for capital
expenditures without a budget; etc. Although
there is a preliminary agenda for the Idea
Exchange, the group is free to discuss any topic
of interest that is presented. This flexibility
allows attention to be given to immediate
problems and issues that are more timely in
nature.
Then, a mid-year Workshop is hosted by PALMS
(Plaintiff Administrators’ Legal Management
Solutions) and offers a concentrated 2-day
session for PI managers. The workshop focuses on
the dilemmas of managing a contingency-based
practice and attendees work together to develop
the agenda for each meeting.
I have been fortunate enough to be a part of
this subsection of ALA for several years now and
always come away thoroughly rejuvenated.
Representatives from firms of all sizes located
throughout the country discuss how they operate
their firms. Managing cash flow (without monthly
billings or budgets), marketing techniques (firm
brochures, newsletters, handling public
relations), insurance, human resources, and
computer technology (with an emphasis on P.I.
specific software) are all reviewed. Their
problems are my problems, and the solutions
offered are helpful because they are possible to
implement in my environment.
While the networking opportunities available
through our local chapter and the benefits
derived from these organizations is great, it is
an added pleasure to meet with a group whose
concerns so closely match your own. I strongly
encourage others to make these
plaintiff-specific events an integral part of
their ongoing professional development.
Contact:
Johnna S. Ferguson
Legal Administrator
Gray, Ritter & Graham, P.C.
314-241-5620
jferguson@grgpc.com
June, 2002
