Through the use of quality practice management procedures you can improve your managerial skills, job satisfaction and the efficiency and cost effectiveness of your practice, as well as increase client and stakeholder satisfaction.
The College of Law is accredited by the Law Society of New South Wales to deliver the mandatory practice management course. This three day course is to be completed by all solicitors admitted after 1986 who want to practise as:
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a sole practitioner
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a partner
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a solicitor on the record of a corporation, government department/instrumentality, Legal Aid organisation or Community Legal Centre
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a legal practitioner director of an incorporated legal practice
Course Options
The College’s Centre for Best Practice presents these courses which cover the core requirements of the Law Society guidelines, tailored to meet the needs of the following categories of solicitors. Please contact the Centre for Best Practice for further information or for specific details on in-house and tailored courses.
Sole Practitioners
Learn about the challenges and pitfalls of running your own practice, with an emphasis on financial management, strategic planning and business development. Discuss the typical problems faced by sole practitioners including trust accounts and LawCover, common ethical dilemmas, and learn about business and risk management systems to address these issues. Course materials include business planning checklists and templates.
Corporate and Government
With a strong emphasis on legal and organisational strategy, understanding the in-house team’s value proposition and delivering effective results, this course also covers the role of in-house lawyers in ethical culture and governance systems, stakeholder relationships, risk assessment and management and the core regulatory curriculum.
2-9 and 10-34 Partner Firms
Discuss current thinking on strategic and business planning, highlighting the role and responsibilities of partners in business development, practice leadership, supervision and mentoring, client development, financial and business performance and ethical and risk management. Course materials include business planning checklists and templates.
35+ Partner Firms
Understand the core issues covered in the Partner course with an emphasis on the strategic and business issues confronting partners in national legal practices. Discuss current thinking on partner performance and team management.
What will I learn while studying this subject?
Courses are presented over three days with topics including:
- Strategic and Business Planning
- Risk Management
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Client Development
- Financial Management
- LawCover
- Work Management
- Stress Management
- Trust Accounts and Controlled Money
- People Management
- Partnership Relations
- Corporate Ethical Culture
- Managing the In-house Legal Team
Course Presenters
Course programs utilise case studies and interactive presentation methods which are presented by experienced practitioners drawn from legal practice, specialist consultants, The College of Law, the Law Society of NSW and LawCover including:
- Stephen Burke, Stephen Burke Management
- Trish Carroll, Principal, Galt Advisory Pty Ltd
- Andrew Chen, Principal, WHK Horwath
- Philip Chown, Lecturer, The College of Law
- Dr Ian Chung, LawCare Counsellor, Law Society of New South Wales
- Jennifer Duxbury, General Counsel, ninemsn
- Thea Foster, Director, Added Value Corporation Pty Ltd
- Kevin Fox, HR Manager NSW/ACT CB Richard Ellis
- Ray Gould, Regional Manager, ipac
- Dr Rosemary Howell, Chairman, Strategic Action Pty Ltd
- Susan Jones, LawWare
- Linda Julian, Director, Julian Midwinter & Associates Pty Ltd
- Caroline Kessler, LawWare
- Alan McArthur, Managing Partner, Dibbs Barker
- Frances Moffitt, Professional Standards Department, Law Society of New South Wales
- Justin Moses, Head of Legal Services, Westpac Banking Corporation
- Ronwyn North, Managing Director, Streeton Consulting
- Andrew Perry, Director - Legal & Technology, legal.consult pty ltd
- Natasha Playne, Partner, CFO Strategic and Principal, Playne Speaking
- Janice Purvis, Risk Services Manager, LawCover
- Virginia Shirvington, Legal Ethics Education Consultant
- Greg Upex, LawWare
- Jane Walton, The Walton Group
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the course held?
The course is generally held at our St Leonards Campus.
When is the course held?
All courses run over three (3) days. A range of course days and dates (including Fridays and Saturdays) is offered to suit different needs. For regional practitioners in sole practice and partnerships there are two courses on consecutive days (Friday – Sunday). For course availability, please see: Course Start Dates
How much does the course cost?
The 2010 fee is $1575 (GST exempt).
How will I be assessed?
Guidelines require attendance at all sessions. If circumstances lead to you missing a part of the course it can be made up at an appropriate later course. An administration fee will apply.
What are the attendance requirements?
You must attend the full three day course, unless specifically exempted by the Law Society of NSW.
Where can I get further information?
If you are interested in receiving further information, please email bpc@collaw.edu.au or call +61 2 9965 7006.