Legal Practice Management Course Handbook Victoria

2020

collaw.edu.au/LPMC

Own your career.Programs that deliver the skills to own your career.

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About The College of Law The College of Law has been at the forefront of practical legal education since 1974 and over 60,000 of our graduates now work across all facets of our industry.

Across Australia, New Zealand and Asia we have 400+ education and support staff, with the majority comprising of practising lawyers and legal professionals from all levels. This ensures our programs are always relevant to real world practice.

We have a full suite of offerings to further your career at every stage, from completing your studies through to running your own law firm. These are:

The Legal Practice Management Course Our Legal Practice Management Course builds on over 16 years’ experience of running the equivalent program in New South Wales, Queensland, and in Western Australia.

The course is developed and run by leaders who also manage legal businesses. Their experience helps to ensure that you gain the understanding and skills you need to manage your own firm and broaden your career options.

The course is assessed as compliant with the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner Practice Management Course Guidelines for Victoria and clause 5.3 of the Grant of a Principal Practising Certificate Policy.

The College of Law programs are developed and run by practitioners who manage legal businesses. Broaden your career options with the understanding and skills to manage your own business.

Activate your career with a range of flexible Practical Legal Training programs.

Enhance your career with relevant practical-based Continuing Professional Development programs.

Master your career by specialising in your chosen area, or change your area of practice with a postgraduate Applied Law program.

Broaden your career opportunities and learn the business of running a law firm with our Legal Practice Management Course.

Peter Dixon General Counsel, Moelis AustraliaLegal Practice Management Course attendee

Why choose the College program?The College has an unparalleled reputation for developing leaders in the legal industry. By choosing the College’s program, you know that you will benefit from:

Quality teaching from presenters who are leaders in their areasOur presenters have a passion for practice management and extensive legal experience. They will help bridge the gap between theory and real-world experience so you learn practical skills that are immediately applicable to your business.

Take-home resourcesThis course will equip you with practical take-home templates, checklists and resources so you are armed with the tools to lead a resource-efficient and client-focused practice.

ConvenienceYour face-to-face learning will take place in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. Our campus sits within walking distance of Melbourne’s courts, tribunals and city law firms.

Interactive classesOur interactive classes ensure that you won’t get lost in the crowd. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and get to know your fellow participants and presenters.

Coaching and feedbackWe want to help you maximise the potential of your practice management course. Our teaching and support staff are available to guide you through the course from enrolment right through to completion.

Tax deductions and discountsYou may be entitled to a tax deduction. The College of Law also offers a 10% discount to College Alumni and LIV Members.

CPD unitsYou can claim 21 CPD units in the areas of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Practice Management and Business Skills, Professional Skills and Substantive Law.

Upgrade your qualificationsCompleting your Legal Practice Management Course with The College of Law can be just the beginning. Your course can be counted as one subject’s credit towards our Master of Laws program. Our LLM is designed to enhance your on-the-job skills and take your career to the next level.

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How the program will equip youThe College’s signature style of learning by doing is embedded into the workshop design. You will develop your own personal business plan under the guidance of our course presenters, who will ensure that you are skilled up to understand every aspect of your firm’s operation.

Learning objectives are clearly set out at the start of the program so you know what outcomes you can expect to achieve. Completion of the program will equip you with the skills and knowledge to:

• understand the dynamics of current legal practice

• apply professional responsibility and ethical practice requirements

• develop your practice, including creating a business development plan

• understand the financial mechanics of your practice

• manage legal practice risk and avoid negligence

• incorporate practice management systems and new technologies

• better manage and supervise your staff

• maximise your daily output

• understand the causes of stress and balance personal and professional objectives.

New in 2020: Partners CourseThe College of Law has developed a new legal practice management course tailored to partners of mid-large law firms. Instead of a business plan, attendees will develop a leadership plan which forms part of the assessment

Find out more at collaw.edu.au/LPMC

Topics The course is divided into eight topics that are facilitated by leaders in their fields:

1. Business Development and MarketingSarah Rey, Managing Partner, JustitiaMelissa Lyon, Associate Principal, Hive Legal

2. Ethics and Professional StandardsDonna Cooper, Head of Ethics, Wellbeing & Practitioner Support, ethics4lawyersMichael Dolan, Special Counsel - Ethics, ethics4lawyers

3. Financial ManagementSteve Robertson, Principal, Steve Robertson Consulting

4. Leadership and ManagementLeonie Green, Director & Founder, Corvus Group Australia, and LPMC Course Co-ordinator

5. Business Strategy and Succession Planning

Leonie Green, Director & Founder, Corvus Group Australia, and LPMC Course Co-ordinator

6. Risk Management

Stephen Bubb, Risk Manager, Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee

7. Practice Management Systems and Technology

David Bushby, Managing Director, InCounsel

8. Trust Accounting

Aruna Colombathantri, Managing Partner at Australian Public Accountants

Who is the course for?Our course is specifically designed for legal practitioners who want to practise as a:

• Sole practitioner

• Partner of a law firm

• Supervisor of a community legal service

• Director of an incorporated legal practice.

Other practitioners that will also benefit from the course include:

• Senior associates looking to build their skills and progress towards partnership

• In-house lawyers with management responsibilities or those looking to gain an understanding about legal services

• Experienced practitioners looking for techniques to grow their practice and update practice management skills

• Legal Practice Managers and other professionals working in law firms.

Course format The Legal Practice Management Course has three components:

Online pre-readings You will be given access to the College Learning Portal one week before the course start date where you will access materials which will assist you to satisfactorily complete the course and assessments.

You can access your materials at anytime, anywhere and on any device.

3-Day workshopThe second of the three components is a 3-day face-to-face small group workshop held over Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The workshop is not only an opportunity for you to engage in practical exercises and tutorials with legal industry experts, it is also a great chance to connect with other legal professionals.

Online assessmentWe want you to finish the course with the knowledge and skills to be a competent and successful practice manager.

At the end of the course, you will undertake a self-paced online assessment so you can feel confident that you have developed the expertise to excel at the practice of law.

Topic overviews

Business Development and Marketing Presenter: Sarah Rey, Managing Partner, Justitia

At the end of this module you will be able to:

• develop strategies to maintain existing clients and attract new clients.

• apply knowledge and skills to ensure positive client relations.

• develop and implement an effective marketing plan.

• grow a practice by using appropriate marketing strategies, including the use of social media.

• understand and comply with the advertising rules.

Ethics and Professional Standards Presenters: Donna Cooper, Head of Ethics, Wellbeing & Practitioner Support, ethics4lawyers and Michael Dolan, Special Counsel - Ethics, ethics4lawyers

At the end of this module you will be able to:

• outline the legislation, conduct rules and practice rules that govern legal practice and lawyers’ conduct.

• analyse and critically discuss common areas of complaint and how these can be avoided.

• develop systems and programs that promote ethical decision-making, taking into account the range of regulatory tools and professional values.

Financial ManagementPresenter: Steve Robertson, Principal, Steve Robertson Consulting

• At the end of this module you will be able to:

• understand financial statements, budgeting methodology, cash flow management, debtor management, optimal borrowing ratios, profit drivers and taxation requirements.

• review and critically compare different billing methods, and implement ethical billing practices.

• analyse and estimate costs, and demonstrate understanding of costs disclosure requirements.

• meet financial objectives and operate profitably.

Leadership and ManagementPresenter: Leonie Green, Director & Founder, Corvus Group Australia, and LPMC Course Co-ordinator

At the end of this module you will be able to:

• use general principles of effective leadership and management for the sustainability and success of your law practice.

• develop and promote a supportive, open and ethical office culture.

• develop a framework to achieve a psychologically healthy workplace.

• develop staff selection, training, supervision, and delegation strategies to ensure that staff act professionally and ethically.

• comply with the requirements of employment legislation and best practice.

• develop strategies for stress and personal management.

Business Strategy and Succession Planning Presenter: Leonie Green, Director & Founder, Corvus Group Australia, and LPMC Course Co-ordinator

At the end of this module you will be able to:

• develop a strategic business plan and understand how to action it.

• compare different legal practices and business models, including incorporated legal practices, and identify the requirements for each of the different models to be successful.

• develop partnership agreements and partner relations.

• develop a business strategy for succession planning and contingency planning.

Risk ManagementPresenter: Stephen Bubb, Risk Manager, Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee

At the end of this module you will be able to:

• develop strategies, policies and processes to manage risk.

• identify, manage and mitigate risks in the area of technology, including cyber security and privacy.

• understand professional negligence and the role of the professional indemnity insurer.

Trust AccountingPresenter: Aruna Colombathantri, Managing Partner at Australian Public Accountants

At the end of this module you will be able to:

• review and self-assess understanding of the regulatory framework governing trust money and records, and good operating practices to comply with these obligations.

• use appropriate and compliant billing methods for practices with and without trust authorisation.

• explain obligations regarding the Statutory Deposit Account.

• review and critically discuss the role of the Fidelity Fund and its implications for a law practice, including liability to repay the Fidelity Fund in the event of a successful consumer claim.

Your presenters are all experienced Victorian-based professionals with a wealth of expertise in their fields and a deep understanding of the profession’s needs.

Stephen Bubb Risk Manager, Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee

Stephen was appointed as a risk manager by Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee (LPLC) in January 2016. He has over 30 years experience in private practice and understands the challenges that practitioners face. He is focused on the benefits of good legal practice management.

David Bushby Managing Director, InCounsel

David is deeply passionate about the future of work and how technology can improve legal practice. His legal career has spanned both private practice and in-house roles, and since 2009 he has been building startups within the legal sector. David is currently the Managing Director of InCounsel, helping legal professionals pursue more flexible ways of working. He’s also the founder of Law Hackers, a weekly newsletter featuring four #Lawtech startups each week from around the world that are making an impact. Over 720 legal startups have been featured since 2014.

Aruna Colombathantri Managing Partner, Australian Public Accountants

Aruna is a CPA/ IPA Accountant and a Lawyer in Australia having overseas experience as a Chartered Accountant and a Lawyer. Due to his multidisciplinary background, he understands accounting and legal dynamics very well and is able to apply his own experience to identify the best solutions for Lawyers.

Aruna has previously worked as an Investigator at the Law Institute of Victoria together with the Legal Services Board + Commissioner for over nine years. During this period, he has investigated over 600 law practices throughout Victoria, ranging from small practitioners to top tier law firms.

Donna Cooper Head of Ethics, Wellbeing & Practitioner Support LIV

Donna is an Australian Legal Practitioner and is Head of Ethics, Wellbeing & Practitioner Support at the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV). Donna was previously a consultant at Ethics4lawyers, a boutique ethics training company and Secretary of the LIV Ethics Committee and the Ethics Liaison Group. Prior to her involvement with the LIV, Donna worked in the Legal Branch of the Titles Office as a lawyer and Assistant Registrar of Titles. Donna is an experienced and engaging presenter with broad experience across all general practice areas. Donna maintains a keen interest in property law and is a current member of the Alfred Hospital Ethics Committee.

Presenters

Michael Dolan Special Counsel, Ethics at LIV and Director of Ethics4lawyers

Michael Dolan is an Australian Legal Practitioner. Michael is presently Special Counsel – Ethics as part of the Law Institute of Victoria’s Ethics, Wellbeing & Practitioner support Department. He is also Director of ethics4lawyers, a boutique ethics training company. Michael joined ethics4lawyers after a legal career spanning over 4 years, including 20 years as a senior executive in the electricity supply and mobile telephone industries in Australia and the UK. Michael is passionate about legal ethics and enjoys advising and assisting other lawyers respond to their ethical challenges as well as presenting highly interactive educational seminars for them. Michael has written and contributed to several published articles on ethics over the past few years and has anchored several DVDs on the topic.

Leonie Green Director & Founder, Corvus Group Australia, and LPMC Course Co-ordinator

Leonie works as a coach, facilitator and business advisor on all things people related, and is a certified MBTI practitioner. Leonie has a Masters in Workplace and Employment Law from Monash University. Leonie worked in private practise as an employment and industrial relations lawyer for nearly 10 years before leaping into a series of roles in the multi-national corporate world including Group Industrial Relations Manager, Group Shared Services Manager and HR Director (Aus/NZ).

In 2014 Leonie launched her first business, Conscious Workplace and her second business Corvus Group Australia in 2017. Leonie also facilitates executive education and leadership programs for the Australian Graduate School of Management (UNSW) and has developed and coordinated an employment law subject for RMIT as part of the Masters in Human Resources. Leonie is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a regular HR column in the Australasian Law Management Journal.

Melissa Lyon Associate Principal, Hive Legal

Melissa is a Business Development and Innovation specialist committed to assisting professional services organisations develop and utilise client focussed business development skills. To do this she draws on many years of experience in legal practice, including as a partner of a law firm. She has also held senior business development roles, including managing BD teams and leading numerous projects and programs at a top tier legal firm. Melissa now works with Hive Legal, an innovative NewLaw firm which has disrupted the legal profession by introducing value pricing, truly flexible work practices and technology based solutions for its clients.

Working in this innovative environment has inspired Melissa to develop a very different approach to innovation programs based on a design thinking framework and the power of purpose. She was named Business Development Professional of the Year 2017 at the Australian Law Awards and also a Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Legal Innovation in 2019.

Sarah Rey Managing Partner, Justitia

Sarah Rey is the managing partner of award-winning workplace-relations law firm Justitia. Sarah’s principal practice areas span human resources law, employment and discrimination advice and litigation, arbitrating Code of Conduct breaches, workplace legal training and investigations into employee misconduct and bullying. As a trained mediator, Sarah also has a particular interest in early intervention to resolve conflict.

Earlier this year (2018), Sarah was recognised by the highly prestigious Doyle’s Guide as one of Victoria’s “leading employer-focused Victorian employment lawyers”. At the same time Justitia was also recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a “leading employer-focused Victorian employment law firm”. In previous years the firm has received numerous awards including “Law Firm of the Year” from the Law Institute of Victoria.

Steve Robertson Principal, Steve Robertson Consulting

Steve started his career as a lawyer, working in private practice at a corporate and commercial law firm for four years before moving into an in-house legal role in the energy sector.

He subsequently joined a retail water business, City West Water, as General Counsel & Company Secretary and progressively transitioned into broader general management roles responsible for a range of corporate service functions including finance, information technology and human resources.

From April 2015 until June 2017, Steve consulted to the ASX-listed law firm, Slater & Gordon, where he was responsible for the successful delivery of a key finance initiative spanning the firm’s Australian and UK operations; the review of a restructuring program across Slater & Gordon’s UK business; and leadership of a performance improvement program for Slater & Gordon’s Australian business.

Steve most recently consulted to Gordon Legal in the role of Chief Operating Officer.

Rebecca OggePrincipal Lawyer, Ogge LawLegal Practice Management Course attendee

“The course effectively presented the practical, ethical and legal aspects of managing a law practice, aspects which I now draw on frequently.”

Once you have successfully completed the assessment items, we will notify the Legal Services Board + Commissioner of your satisfactory completion of the course.

Assessment structure

Assessment Activity Name Format

Attendance and participation Workshop and online component Attendance and satisfactory participation

Assessment Business Plan Online submission - templates will be made available at the start of the course and developed during each workshop

LocationThe College of Law at level 1, 555 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Course Workshop Dates* End Date

February Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 February 2020 8 February 2020

April Thursday 30 April - Saturday 2 May 2020 2 April 2020

May NEW! Partners Course: Thursday 28 - Saturday 30 May 2020 30 May 2020

June Thursday 11 - 13 June 2020 13 June 2020

August Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 August 2020 8 August 2020

October Thursday 8 - Saturday 10 October 2020 10 October 2020

November Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 November 2020 14 November 2020

* Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided during the workshop.

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PriceAlumni/Members price: $1,800 Full price: $2,000

For those employed in the community legal sector, the course is discounted by $300. Please email us at lpmcvic@collaw.edu.au to advise if this applies to you.

How to enrolTo enrol or for further information, visit www.collaw.edu.au/LPMC. Alternatively you can call us on 03 8689 8689 or email lpmcvic@collaw.edu.au

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Contact usFor further information or questions www.collaw.edu.au/LPMC

Alternatively you can call us on 03 8689 8689 or email lpmcvic@collaw.edu.au