Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators Articles RSS Feed

AALA Connection - Summer Edition

Jennifer Brinkley — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:17:33 GMT

Working together with the members of the AALA and the AALA Board Members Great Things Can Happen.
Read More..

This Newsletter is provided for by the generous support of our Diamond Sponsors:

CLM University

Human Resources

Speaker: Diane Guccito, SPHR, CCP, GRP, Director, HR Solutions
July 13; 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

ALA Webinar

Legal Risks to Assessing Candidates by Social Networking Sites

Speaker: Shelly L. Freeman, JD., President, HROI
July 21; 2:00PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

AALA Summer Social

CLM University

Legal Industry

July 27; 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

Small Firm Section

CLM University

Professional Liability

Speaker: Aubrey Smith, CEO, Georgia Lawyers Insurance
August 10: 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

AALA Business Partner Luncheon & Exposition

Business Partner Lunch

Tuesday, August 17; 10:00 AM
Cobb Galleria

CLM University

Financial Terms & Concepts

Speaker: James Gillespie, CLM, CPA
August 24; 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

CLM University

Facilities Leasing Strategies

Speaker: Baron McMillen, Esq., CCIM, President, Trinity Real Estate ResourceSeptember 7; 12:00 PMConstangy, Brooks & Smith

ALA Webinar

Electronic Records Management

Speaker: Dana C. Moore, National Records & Information Compliance Manager, Foley & Lardner, LLP
September 15; 2:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

CLM University

Overview/Pre-test Preparation

Speaker: James Gillespie, CLM, CPA
September 21; 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

Managing Partner Luncheon

Managing Partner Lunch

Speaker: Former Chief Justice Leah Sears, Partner, Schiff Hardin
September 22; 12:00 PM
Ritz Carlton - Downtown

Atlanta Association of
Legal Administrators

P.O. Box 79019
Atlanta, GA 30357-2019
(770) 846-3402

info@atlanta-ala.com
www.atlanta-ala.com

Hello [firstname],

Welcome to the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators newsletter of articles, member news, upcoming events, chapter, ALA national and regional related items and much more from AALA. You are receiving this email because you have signed up to receive our Newsletter. If you are an AALA member or a Business Partner, you may get this message twice because you are in both email groups. If you received this twice and would like to only get it one time, please contact Jennifer Brinkley. You can also request for others in your office to receive this newsletter.

In this edition you will find helpful and informative articles on a variety of topics ranging from etiquette in attending networking functions to information about Voice Over IP (VoIP) as well as find out what is going on in AALA and with our members.

If you are not a member of AALA, but work in a management capacity in a law firm or legal department and have considered joining AALA, now is a great time to do so. Membership rates are prorated for the remainder of 2010. Contact Elena Lee or Jennifer Brinkley for more information.

If you are an AALA Business Partner or vendor considering becoming an AALA Business Partner, there are options available. Business Partners, please click here to view the program options open to you this year. If you are not a Business Partner, you may want to consider attending our 2010 Business Partner Luncheon and Exposition in August – there is currently ONE spot open. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Joe McAdams.

Sponsorships for our AALA Casino Royale event are now open. If you become a sponsor for this event before the Business Partner Exposition and Luncheon, your company name will receive special recognition during the luncheon portion of the event. Learn More about AALA Casino Royale or contact us at 770-846-3402 or casinoroyale@atlanta-ala.com.

Your login information is listed below. To log into the site, visit http://www.atlanta-ala.com/en/ and enter your Username and Password.

Username: [username]

Password: [password]

If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Brinkley.

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

Dress to Impress

Networking is a key part of any successful career management plan. However, networking can be filled with mysteries and minefields. Here are a few key tips to help you navigate this sometime treacherous terrain.

Carpet Care 101; Part 3

Regular carpet maintenance not only is “green” friendly for the environment, but it is “green” friendly for your firm’s wallet.

Is VoIP Right for Your Firm

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become a popular business topic as a way to increase efficiency and reduce costs. However, is a VoIP solution the right solution for your firm? This article answers some key questions about VoIP and its use in law firms.

Member Profile - Kellie Claflin

Meet Kellie Claflin, the administrator of Foltz-Martin. Kellie shares with us her secret to being a long standing administrator – People.

AALA Business Partner Luncheon & Exposition

The AALA Business Partner Luncheon and Exposition is one of the most anticipated events of the year. This event provides an unparalleled opportunity to update yourself on the latest technologies, find solutions to business issues, solve problems, uncover emerging trends, and develop valuable resources and partnerships in the legal industry.

Spring Social

AALA members and Business Partners got together for a fun evening of great food and bowling earlier this spring. We found out that some people are a little better at bowling than others and some should probably hang up their bowling shoes altogether! All in all, it was a great time hanging out with our AALA friends.

Bribe 'Em to Bring 'Em

The AALA Board members have missed seeing many of you at our monthly speaker series events. We thought we had tried everything to get people out of their offices, but low and behold a new idea has emerged – “Let’s Bribe ‘Em!” Be sure to read about the 500 little ways the Board has decided to entice you to show up!

ALA Conference

The annual ALA Conference in Boston was true to the Chapter’s promise of being an “adventure.” Over 25 members of the Atlanta Chapter made the journey to “Beantown” to attend the National Conference. The conference provided a wide genre of professional education classes to attendees ranging from information on 401(k) compliance to lease negotiation and management.

New Members

Do you remember how it felt to be a new AALA member; excitement at all the opportunities, fear of attending your first meeting alone, overwhelmed by the benefits? Take a moment to welcome our newest members. It just might make all the difference in the world to them.

AALA Casino Royale: A Sure Bet for Children’s Healthcare

Are you getting excited about AALA Casino Royale yet? There are numerous ways to get involved in this charitable event and contribute to the success of the evening. No offering, whether it be monetary, in kind donation or time, is too small to make a difference!

AALA Goes Techno

AALA is pleased to announce that we are posting our chapter speakers series via podcasts. For those of you who work outside of Atlanta, this is great way to benefit from meetings and possibly get together with others in your area to listen to the podcast! For the rest of you in Atlanta, hopefully you’ll see what you’ve been missing and want to get in on the action!

CLM University

CLM University is now in session, but it isn’t too late to get in on the education! Becoming a Certified Legal Manager is a huge step in maximizing your position as a legal manager and guarantees you recognition as a leader in the legal field. The CLM exam will be offered in Atlanta on September 30th and AALA is offering all its resources to those interested in sitting for the exam.

AALA Salary Survey

Get up to date salary information on legal administrative positions from management level to support staff. Information is broken down by experience and firm size. Before the information can be processed, we need to collect the data from all our member firms by July 23rd. Participants can receive discounts and other incentives for participating.

Capture the Magic

Magic is all around you! What are you doing to capture it? Are you taking advantage of all AALA has to offer? By doing so you can add to your collection of Stars and increase your chances to win the $2000 scholarship to the 2011 ALA Conference.

Design Your Pathway to Success!

The ALA Region 2 Educational Conference & Exposition will be held October 22-23, 2010, at the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, which is conveniently located just 11 miles from the Miami International Airport. Reservations at the ALA rate are not open yet, but for budgetary purposes, the following applies: Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach: $219 single/double room plus applicable taxes.

ALA Trend Watch

Recent research shows that attorney-authored blogs have increased influence on law firm hiring decisions by potential clients in major corporations. Additionally, nearly 70 percent of respondents ages 30 to 39 said they expect their consumption of business and legal industry news through social media platforms to increase within the next six months.

Region 2 Newsletter

Find out what is going on in ALA’s Region 2.

Best Practices in Legal Management: A Comprehensive Guide

This engaging, comprehensive and practical resource guide provides a strong foundation for law firm administrators with forms, ideas, recommendations and explanations. Best Practices in Legal Management is a meticulously charted and pragmatic roadmap to law firm administration and governance written by practical experts with perspective and humor. A must-read for all legal administrators. Author: Published by the New York State Bar Association in conjunction with the New York City Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. 468 pages.

ALA Large Firm Administrators Conference

This annual retreat provides the principal administrator in a law firm (with 100 or more lawyers in all locations) an opportunity to learn how to handle the challenges and demands of running a large organization. The retreat’s highly focused educational program addresses some of the unique challenges and issues facing large law firms today. In addition, ample time is offered for idea exchanges where attendees can discuss a wide range of topics of interest to law firm leaders.

What Did You Say?

Before you press the “send” button and fire off an e-mail, you may want to make sure that you said what you think you are saying and sending it to the right person. Here are a few simple tips to avoid embarrassment and a potential disaster.

20-Jul-10 11:17 AM

AALA Connection - Summer Edition

Jennifer Brinkley — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:38:28 GMT

Working together with the members of the AALA and the AALA Board Members Great Things Can Happen.
Read More..

This Newsletter is provided for by the generous support of our Diamond Sponsors:

CLM University

Human Resources

Speaker: Diane Guccito, SPHR, CCP, GRP, Director, HR Solutions
July 13; 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

ALA Webinar

Legal Risks to Assessing Candidates by Social Networking Sites

Speaker: Shelly L. Freeman, JD., President, HROI
July 21; 2:00PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

AALA Summer Social

Summer Fiesta

Friday, July 23; 12:00 PM
Rosa Mexicano

CLM University

Legal Industry

July 27; 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

Small Firm Section

Round Table

July 28; 12:00 PM
Gray Rust, et al.

CLM University

Professional Liability

Speaker: Aubrey Smith, CEO, Georgia Lawyers Insurance
August 10: 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

AALA Business Partner Luncheon & Exposition

Business Partner Lunch

Tuesday, August 17; 10:00 AM
Cobb Galleria

CLM University

Financial Terms & Concepts

Speaker: James Gillespie, CLM, CPA
August 24; 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

CLM University

Facilities Leasing Strategies

Speaker: Baron McMillen, Esq., CCIM, President, Trinity Real Estate ResourceSeptember 7; 12:00 PMConstangy, Brooks & Smith

ALA Webinar

Electronic Records Management

Speaker: Dana C. Moore, National Records & Information Compliance Manager, Foley & Lardner, LLP
September 15; 2:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

CLM University

Overview/Pre-test Preparation

Speaker: James Gillespie, CLM, CPA
September 21; 12:00 PM
Constangy, Brooks & Smith

Managing Partner Luncheon

Managing Partner Lunch

Speaker: Former Chief Justice Leah Sears, Partner, Schiff Hardin
September 22; 12:00 PM
Ritz Carlton - Downtown

Atlanta Association of
Legal Administrators

P.O. Box 79019
Atlanta, GA 30357-2019
(770) 846-3402

info@atlanta-ala.com
www.atlanta-ala.com

Hello [firstname],

Welcome to the summer edition of the AALA newsletter. In this edition you will find helpful and informative articles on a variety of topics ranging from etiquette in attending networking functions to information about Voice Over IP (VoIP) as well as find out what is going on in AALA and with our members.

As you know, the Business Partner Exposition & Luncheon is just around the corner. We look forward to seeing all of our Business Partners at this event. The Luncheon Committee and Board have come up with new ways to get our members to come early and to stay later and we anticipate a great turnout for the day!

Hopefully you have received a letter about our upcoming “Casino Royale – A Sure Bet for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta” event to take place in October. At our last Casino Royale, we had a great turnout and received very positive feedback from members and vendors alike. Some of you became Business Partners as a result of that event! As is our tradition at each Business Partner Exposition and Luncheon, we will be supporting a charitable organization. This year, we will have Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta present and we will be collecting sponsorships for the Casino Royale event. Anyone who becomes a Casino Royale Sponsor before the luncheon portion of the day begins will be announced during the luncheon. Learn More about sponsoring Casino Royale!

Thank you for the support you give our chapter which allows us to provide this newsletter, multiple educational opportunities and much, much more for our members. We recommend that you read through some of these articles as it may give you an idea of the issues currently on the minds of many of our members. It is also helpful to see some of the member news to see what the chapter has been up to.

If you have others in your organization who are not currently receiving this newsletter, please let them know that they can sign up to receive this newsletter as well. All that is required is for them to register as a user and join the Newsletter User Group.

Your login information is listed below. To log into the site, visit http://www.atlanta-ala.com/en/ and enter your Username and Password.

Username: [username]

Password: [password]

If you have any questions please contact Jennifer Brinkley.

As an Atlanta chapter Business Partner, you are also invited to receive the ALA Means Business newsletter. To subscribe click here.

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

Dress to Impress

Carpet Care 101; Part 3

Regular carpet maintenance not only is “green” friendly for the environment, but it is “green” friendly for your firm’s wallet.

Is VoIP Right for Your Firm

Member Profile - Kellie Claflin

Meet Kellie Claflin, the administrator of Foltz-Martin. Kellie shares with us her secret to being a long standing administrator – People.

AALA Business Partner Luncheon & Exposition

Spring Social

Bribe 'Em to Bring 'Em

ALA Conference

New Members

AALA Casino Royale: A Sure Bet for Children’s Healthcare

AALA Goes Techno

CLM University

AALA Salary Survey

Capture the Magic

Design Your Pathway to Success!

ALA Trend Watch

Region 2 Newsletter

Find out what is going on in ALA’s Region 2.

Best Practices in Legal Management: A Comprehensive Guide

ALA Large Firm Administrators Conference

What Did You Say?

19-Jul-10 10:38 AM

Bribe 'Em to Bring 'Em

Jennifer Brinkley — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Bribe ‘Em to Bring ‘Em

We all know that is hard to get out of the office for even a couple hours these days. Everyone has more to do and less with which to do it. Not to mention the feeling that we are being missed, and not necessarily in a nice way, when we aren’t sitting in our office every minute of every day regardless of how caught up we may be. Sometimes it is hard to justify the time away, but when you think about the impact of the education and networking opportunities gained from AALA meetings on your firm, it might be worth explaining the need to attend to those who may question it.

But, we’ve said much of this before, so AALA wants to add a little extra incentive to showing up at some of our meetings – 500 little incentives to be exact! If you bring your Managing Partner or another attorney to the Managing Partner Luncheon on September 22^nd, you will be entered into a drawing for a $500 cash gift card!

And, to kick things off, we’ll give you a $10 gift card for arriving at the Business Partner Luncheon by 10:30 plus put your name in the drawings bucket twice if you show up before 11:00!

15-Jul-10 2:00 PM

ALA Conference

Jack Huddleston — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:00:00 GMT

The Great Bean Town Adventure

While there were plenty of opportunities for Chapter members to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered at the conference, there were also equal opportunities for members to network, see friends, make new friends and tour “Beantown.” From the opening reception to the chapter awards to the closing ceremony each day presented a unique opportunity to network with fellow administrators and vendors alike. Several chapter members took advantage of being in Boston to tour Fenway Park, take a “Duck” tour or visiting the “wharf” where “Old Ironsides” is moored.

If you have not attended an ALA Conference or Regional Conference in the past, now is a good time to start planning and budgeting for one in the future. The Region 2 conference is in October in Miami and next year’s annual conference is in Orlando. If you don’t think your firm will spring for the “bill,” keep in mind that AALA sends members to conferences on scholarships like the “Capture the Magic” scholarship or many others given away at chapter events.

12-Jul-10 1:00 PM

AALA Salary Survey

Jennifer Brinkley — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:00:00 GMT

The AALA Salary Survey is Ready for your input!

The AALA Salary Survey is ready for input. Members will have 30 days to compile their survey responses and submit them to our independent research company. Responses are due on July 23rd. Survey results will be ready for distribution by the end of September to provide members with up to date information before year end evaluations and budget preparations.

Please remember that the information compiled in the survey is only as good as the participation of our chapter's member firms. Please take some time and respond to this confidential survey and encourage your colleagues to do the same! Members who participate will receive a $75 discount for the purchase of the survey AND receive 5 stars in the Capture the Magic game. For firms with multiple members, stars will be awarded to any member who submits information for the survey and/or submits the survey to the independent contractor.

This survey offers salary information on over 60 administrative legal positions from management positions to support positions. Information is broken down by experience and firm size.

Should you have any questions, please contact Tonya Poole or Jennifer Brinkley.

11-Jul-10 1:00 PM

AALA Goes Techno

Jennifer Brinkley — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:45:00 GMT

AALA Announces Podcasts

AALA is pleased to announce that we are posting our chapter speakers series via podcasts. We understand you cannot always make every meeting, but would still like to benefit from the education. That’s why we are now posting our chapter meetings via podcasts whenever our speakers and/or conditions allow for us to do so. For those of you who work outside of Atlanta, this is great way to benefit from meetings you’ve not been able to attend. And, if you want to get together other members or potential members in your area to listen to the podcast as a group, AALA will spring for your lunch! For the rest of you in Atlanta, hopefully you’ll see what you’ve been missing and want to get in on the action! Listen to our very first one.

11-Jul-10 12:45 PM

AALA Casino Royale - A Sure Bet for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Beth Jenkins — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Ante Up for Casino Royale 2010

Hopefully, you all received Dina’s letter about our 2010 fundraiser and details on various ways to get involved. Please be sure to share this information with your firm, managing partner, colleagues, and friends—anyone who may be interested in getting involved and raising funds for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Here are just some of the benefits of throwing your chips in at our casino:

· Attend a fun and fabulous social and networking event with great food, drink and casino gaming.

· Bid on vacation packages, jewelry, and other gifts in our silent auction.

· Earn Stars for the Capture the Magic Game.

· Win big by raising money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a not for profit hospital that cares for all of Atlanta’s kids.

AALA members will receive Two Stars for Capture the Magic for each $25 donation and will receive Five Stars for getting their firm to donate $250 or more. We will also be holding a special drawing at the Business Partner Luncheon for which only Casino Royale donors of $25 and up will be eligible. You’ll definitely want to have your name in that pot!

For more information on the event, please check out www.aalacasinoroyale.com or contact us at 770-846-3402 or casinoroyale@atlanta-ala.com.

Congratulations on locating the Secret Star for the Newsletter.
Please send Jennifer Brinkley a quick email by just clicking on her name
(email will be pre-filled and you just have to click send!).

10-Jul-10 3:00 PM

Roll Out the Red Carpet!

Jennifer Brinkley — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Roll Out the Red Carpet!

Please welcome our newest AALA Members!

Dixon Stapleton
Recruiting Coordinator
Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs

Pamela Gerads
Director of Human Resources
Merchant & Gould

Yolandra McIntosh
Office Manager

Barnes & Thornburgh LLP

Tricia Boughter
Office Administrator

Huff, Powell & Bailey, LLC

10-Jul-10 2:00 PM

AALA Spring Social

Jennifer Brinkley — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Members & Business Partners arrive ready to have fun!	So. . . are we winning or losing?	Yes! The ball actually knocked down the pins!
AALA’s Bowl-A-Rama AALA members and Business Partners got together for a fun evening of great food and bowling earlier this spring. We found out that some people are a little better at bowling than others and some should probably hang up their bowling shoes altogether! All in all, it was a great time hanging out with our AALA friends. See More Fun Pictures!
This shot is going to bring it home!	Oh yeah! I am the King of the Lanes!	My ball is almost too pretty to bowl down this lane!

10-Jul-10 10:00 AM

Member Profile - Kellie Claflin

Elizabeth Sprouse — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:00:00 GMT

The Definition of One of Atlanta's Longstanding Administrators

When your career becomes one of the top joys in your life, you know you've set yourself upon the right path. And when that joy collides with an organization you can say holds your heart, you know you've found your career home.

This is exactly what has happened to Kellie Claflin, administrator at Foltz Martin LLC, during her career. "My children are the biggest joy in my life, but my job is right behind that," she says. "It means everything to me. I am not happy unless I'm helping others, and this role provides that outlet for me."

However, this isn't a revelation that took Claflin years to figure out; she knew what she wanted straight out of high school when she entered the legal industry as a secretary. At that time, she set her sights on becoming an administrator and continued to grow in her career until she reached that goal.

"I knew this was what I wanted," she says. "I am a people person. I like to be around people and help solve problems."

Being a member of AALA has helped Claflin find the solutions she needed to resolve those issues or complete those varied challenges that arise for an administrator. In fact, as soon as she became an administrator in 2000, Claflin joined AALA, serving as chair of the Small Firm Management Section from 2002 to 2003 and continually taking part in conventions and education opportunities. "I was drawn to AALA for the support, training and knowledge you receive. I can't imagine serving in this role without it," she explains. "We are like family in this association. There is nothing you can't ask within guidelines when you need support and advice. This is key because, no matter how many years you've been in this industry, you can still come up with questions to ask."

Running an organization based on people

For Claflin, Foltz Martin is her one true career home. Early on in her career, she worked for the firm, but took a short detour to gain valuable experience to help her reach her administrator goal. "My heart never left this firm," comments Claflin, who returned to Foltz Martin as the firm's administrator 10 years ago. "I loved it too much."

In her leadership role, Claflin focuses first on the people, knowing they then become the core asset to the entire firm. Perhaps because the firm has become like a second home, she doesn't have one personality outside of the firm and one at work. Instead, she believes you have to treat people the same way in both your business and personal lives — being a positive force in other people's lives.

"You are not a number here. We want people who want to come to work, and we want to be a place you want to be," says Claflin. "We care about each other. Foltz Martin's family culture pairs perfectly with what defines who I am as a person." And after having joined the legal industry at the age of 19 and adapted her way of thinking to the uniqueness of this field, that definition might look something like this:

Claf-lin

- proper noun

1. Adaptable and determined legal administrator

2. Loyal and positive administrator, dedicated to her family, colleagues, firm and field

9-Jul-10 1:00 PM

President's Message

Dina Wolfe — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:15:00 GMT

Stand By Me

As I have thought about this message and what I want to convey to all of you, the task has seemed overwhelming at times. The job of President of the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators is a privilege and a challenge that I enjoy every day. I thank each of you for the honor of serving this year. The role is much like the job of being a legal administrator – I am never really sure of what is going to happen the next day but I always know that it will be interesting. AALA, its members and my fellow board members have helped me deal with all of those challenges for many years as a legal administrator and the same holds true this year as chapter president.

As I started attending meetings with my predecessor at Slutzky, Wolfe and Bailey twelve years ago, I never imagined that one day I would become President of our chapter. However, as I took advantage of the many benefits of AALA, becoming involved became easy. I have met and become friends with some great people. Those people are the first telephone call I make when a situation arises at my firm that I am not sure how to handle and they never fail to provide guidance and answers. Additionally, the educational opportunities that have been provided are without equal. The monthly speaker series offers great speakers with helpful information and inspiration. The regional and national conferences offer education and networking that cannot be matched. Finally, the great business partner program gives each of us the opportunity and connections to take advantage of some of the great service providers to the legal industry.

I am very excited that this year the chapter will once again be hosting Casino Royale: A Sure Bet For Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. You should all have received a letter regarding this event and the sponsorship opportunities available to individuals, your firms and our business partners. We will once again be hosted by Alston + Bird and we will have gaming tables, silent auction and plenty of fun and friends. Hopefully, everyone will be able to take part in our Community Challenge Weekend event this year.

I say all of this to remind everyone that the very best way to get “bang for your buck” with ALA and AALA, is to be involved and active. There are so many opportunities, big and small, to take part in Chapter activities and each has a value all its own. Whether you attend a meeting of your favorite Section, volunteer to serve on one of our committees, attend the monthly Speaker Series luncheons, go to our Spring and Fall socials with our vendors or participate in our community service projects, there is a value to be had. From networking to education to inspiration, all of your time spent away from the office does return a value that cannot be measured in minutes or hours. As you are aware, the more you become involved with the chapter, the more opportunities you have to win scholarships to national and regional conferences through our annual participation games, this year’s “Capture the Magic.”

Over the past four years, I have had the great fortune of serving on the AALA board with wonderful people and this year is no exception. The board works long hours on each event and takes time away from their firms and their personal time to do so. I would not miss this opportunity to thank them for all they do for me and for you. They are:

Will Lee - Vice-President/President Elect

Sheri Rowand -Treasurer

Sarah Turner - Secretary

Elena Lee - Director of Membership

Jack Huddleston - Director of Newsletter & Public Relations

Amanda Davis - Webmaster

Joe McAdams - Director of Vendor Relations

Marianne Lawhead – Immediate Past President

Jennifer Brinkley – Chapter Manager

I hope you are each having a great start to your summer and I look forward to seeing all of you soon at our upcoming events.

9-Jul-10 10:15 AM

Top Tips for Networking Success

Debbie Stone — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:00:00 GMT

The Dos and Don’ts of Networking

Networking is a key part of any successful career management plan. It allows you to develop your knowledge base, expand your circle of contacts, and build credibility in your field. However, networking (which is really just the business word for relationship-building) can be filled with mysteries and minefields. Here are a few key tips to help you navigate this sometime treacherous terrain.

What to Wear and Not to Wear: If you can find out the suggested attire for an event or meeting in advance, it is best to do that, but if you cannot, err on the side of dressing more formally and professionally rather than less. You may have heard the old adage "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have" and a similar philosophy should guide you when you are networking and representing your firm. For example, if you are attending a lunch meeting and are unsure of the attire, it is better to wear a suit and risk being "overdressed" than to dress in business casual attire and run the risk of being "underdressed". Also, unless you are invited to a backyard barbeque, flip flops are always a no-no.

Attend with Intention: By default, most people simply show up at a networking event and wait to see what will happen. However, networking is far more effective when it is strategic. It is important to set intentions about who you want to meet and what you want to gain from each event you attend. If a guest list is circulated before the event, look it over and decide who you would like to meet. If not, arrive early and look over the name tags of those who will be at the event so you can strategically seek out those you want to meet. Also, remember, a successful networking event is measured not by how many people you meet or cards you collect, but by whether or not you make any genuine connections with people.

Get Curious: It can be tough to start a conversation with a stranger at a networking event, but a healthy dose of curiosity is all you need. You can ask your conversation partner what brought him to the event, how long he's been with his firm, what challenges currently face him on the job or anything else that you want to know. Although you want to maintain your professionalism, it is acceptable to ask some personal questions such as what the person likes to do when he's not working. Studies show that if a person talks about himself for a substantial part of the interaction, he will consider it a positive one, so ask lots of questions and keep your conversation mate talking. Don't worry, the conversation will come around to you so you'll have plenty of time to share as well. And remember, while the person you are speaking with answers your questions, you want to be listening carefully so you can see what common connections you two may have.

The Great Escape: Sometimes you may feel like you are trapped in a conversation with someone you meet at a networking function. How do you gracefully exit the conversation? You can always say that you are heading to the bar for another drink or to the restroom, but if you use one of those excuses, make it truthful and head to that destination. Another option is to simply state that you've enjoyed chatting with this person but that you want to be sure you have a chance to meet others since you are there at the event to network. You can even promise to follow up to continue the conversation over coffee, but if you mention that, again be sure you intend to actually do it. If you excuse yourself in this way, your conversation mate will certainly understand and might even be relieved. She may have wanted to end your conversation too and simply not known how to do it.

Follow up and Follow Through: When you meet people at networking events like AALA meetings and exchange contact information, you should follow up with them within the next few business days. Follow-ups can be done by email, by phone or through a hand-written note. There is no right or wrong way to follow up. The key is just to do it. You may simply state that it was nice to meet the person or if you want to strengthen the business relationship, you may suggest meeting again for breakfast, lunch or coffee. Also, if you promised to send an article or something else to the person you met, be sure to do so. This is that person's first impression of you and your reliability.

Obviously, networking is fertile ground for "do's" and "don'ts". However, the most important tip to keep in mind is to be yourself. Being authentic will help assure that you enjoy yourself and make strong connections with people you meet.

Debby Stone, JD, CPCC, PCC is a professional coach and a former practicing lawyer. She is a principal with Corner Office Coaching where she provides coaching and consulting to the legal community. She works with clients on a variety of topics including career management, networking, leadership, and professional presence. Debby can be reached at 770-569-8115 and at debby@cornerofficecoaching.com.

9-Jul-10 9:00 AM

Carpet Care 101, Part 3

Stephen Lewis — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Not Just Saving the Planet

How Sustainable Maintenance Equals Financial and Environmental Savings

(Part 3 of a 3 part series on Carpet Care and Maintenance)

Business decisions are usually made with a variety of factors in mind and saving time and money are almost always on the list. Ironically, these are two of the major benefits of using a sustainable cleaning method. Carpet cleaning programs that are environmentally friendly provide companies a more viable option for keeping spaces clean.

Many are amazed by the amount of money and resources saved by using a sustainable cleaning method. While some may be skeptical of using an alternative method, once they discover alternative methods can provide the same results, it’s hard to dismiss the environmental savings.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, efficient water use can have major environmental and economic benefits by helping to improve water quality, maintain aquatic ecosystems and protect drinking water resources. The benefit of using water-efficient practices will provide more immediate financial returns in the form of reduced utility bills.

Assuming an optimal productivity rate for the cleaning equipment used, the average hot water extraction carpet cleaning system requires 50 gallons of water for every 10,000 square feet of carpet cleaned. Since typical work environments can be even more thoroughly cleaned with dry polymer as opposed to hot water systems, the greater the space, the greater the potential for water conservation and cost savings. Whereas, using a dry polymer method will use around four gallons of water for every 10,000 square feet of space and making the environmental savings even more apparent.

Building operators could also incorporate other practices – using low-flush toilet systems, collecting rainwater, and using sensors rather than taps for sinks in bathrooms, to name a few – to increase water efficiency efforts and save money. As you can see, there are a number of ways to operate and maintain a presentable office space while remaining environmental stewards.

This is the third installment in a series of informational articles by Stephen Lewis, technical director for MilliCare. He is responsible for the company’s research and development efforts, provides technical training to its network of 80+ franchise partners, and is the company’s key point of contact with the textile and carpet manufacturing community.

8-Jul-10 8:00 PM

Voice Over IP - Is it for You?

Je Ae Shin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:00:00 GMT

VoIP – Is it Right for Your Firm?

When it comes to new business technology, VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) has been a popular topic for the past two years. The idea of using the Internet to make both outgoing and incoming phone calls is very appealing to business owners who hear about the benefits of the system. But it’s important to weight the pros and cons of VOIP carefully before deciding it is a good fit for your firm.

Advantages of VOIP

Possibly the biggest benefit of VOIP is how well the system can integrate with many key functions of a law office. Voicemail, standard calendaring, email, IM, even video/audio conferencing and sharing files are all possible with the right VOIP system. These days, it’s important to stay up to date and easily accessible, and VOIP can make it much easier to do just that.

The money you save on a monthly basis can be significant, depending upon your type of business. The majority of VOIP systems will allow unlimited outbound and inbound calls, including long distance and international calls. This can add up to tremendous savings if you make frequent overseas calls. VOIP also typically costs less than traditional landline business phones when it comes to maintenance. If your office has high turnover or frequent inner office moves, then VOIP makes it much easier and cheaper to handle those things.

More and more employees are looking to be able to work from home. VOIP phones have the advantage of being able to transport relatively easily to the home and be setup for use there, so that the employee can make calls and look like they are still at the office. This makes employees easily accessible to clients and the office itself.

Disadvantages of VOIP

One of the biggest disadvantages of VOIP is the up-front cost involved. The phones are more expensive than regular business analog phones, and depending on your office you may be required to get a faster Internet connection or get an additional Internet line separate from what you use for web browsing and email. If you try to use VOIP on an Internet line that is too slow, the sound quality will suffer for it. You may also need to use an Internet fax service such as e-Fax to take the place of the traditional fax machine that depends on landlines, but this will depend upon the type of line you have. This can add an additional monthly charge to the firm, typically ranging from $14-$20 per month. You should ask the provider whether the VOIP can handle traditional faxing or not before you make any decisions.

VOIP is dependent upon the Internet connection, obviously. Sometimes this is a sticking point for prospective buyers who are nervous about trusting their Internet line for 100% reliability. VOIP is also dependent upon electricity to power the phones, something that traditional analog phones got from the phone line itself. A power outage or a downed network and your firm is without computers or phones. If you have a lot of issues with your Internet service, then they should be addressed before you consider VOIP for the firm.

Security is a concern when it comes to VOIP that is often overlooked. Currently, there is no complete solution to make VOIP secure for all phone calls. As VOIP becomes more popular, it is conceivable that VOIP networks will be the next popular target for hackers and other wrongdoers. The worst case scenarios spread by VOIP naysayers are situations such as eavesdropping, someone masquerading as you, or denial of service attacks in which your VOIP system is flooded with nonstop calls and making it unusable. While all of this sounds scary, there is nothing to keep a wrongdoer from performing these same acts already by other means available now for landlines.

VOIP is an attractive prospect for law firms, but one you should approach with caution. If you have multiple offices or a lot of users who work from home, this could be an excellent way to bring the firm together more closely. Alternatively, if the firm is moving and need to purchase new equipment or pay to have new cable run, then this may be a good time to look at VOIP. Whatever your situation or interest, make sure to weigh the pros and cons before you make a decision.

8-Jul-10 7:00 PM

What Did You Say?

Jack Huddleston — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Communication: A process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Miscommunication: Unclear communication: a communication that is unclear or likely to be misinterpreted.(MSN Encarta).

Email: An information channel used for communication and miscommunication.

One of the most significant advancements in modern communication has been the advent of “e-mail.” In a blink of an eye we can instantaneously send a message to someone about something. Of course, every message that we send out via e-mail is “crystal clear,” well thought out and understandable, right?

With slight hint of sarcasm (okay, maybe a lot of sarcasm), we all know that emails can be misunderstood as quickly as we can compose e-mails and press the “enter” key. Though we are aware of the danger(s) in sending e-mails that we have not taken the time to proofread, or we have written as a “knee jerk” reaction, why do we continue to have so many miscommunication faux pas due to e-mails?

There are many reasons why this happens, some of it is culturally based, some of it is contextually based and some of it because we are human.

In its simplest form, communication is a process that involves a sender, a message and a receiver. However, nothing in life is simple, and neither is communication. Conceptually, a sender (you) encodes a message to be sent. Once the message is encoded, a decision must be made on the channel to communicate the message through (verbal, non-verbal or written). Once the message is sent, the receiver (me) decodes the message, and assigns meaning to the context of the message. The more channels used, the clearer the message becomes and better understanding is achieved. However, in every communication process there are “barriers” and e-mails are no exception. These barriers include semantics, emotions, cultural differences and noise (anything that interferes with the process of communication.)

These barriers are exaggerated when an e-mail is used because we are only using one channel of communication to send our message. This means that we must rely on the receiver to correctly interpret what we wrote in the e-mail. Herein lays the problem, the barriers to communication that we mentioned come into full force in e-mails. Because we cannot confirm the “meaning” behind an email due to it being one dimensional, the probability of miscommunication increases proportionally. For example, in cross-cultural communications we consider a continuum between low-context cultures (do not rely heavily on non-verbal behavior to interpret communication) to high-context cultures (rely heavily on non-verbal behavior to interpret communication). The United States is in the mid-range of a low-context culture. We do not rely heavily on non-verbal behavior to interpret the message, but we do rely on non-verbal behavior to clarify the message. In an e-mail we have no other means of interpreting and clarifying the message other than what “we” as senders assign meaning to what we read. We interpret emotions, where there are none; we assign meaning to words because we cannot clarify the definition; and we, allow our own emotional state to influence how we perceive the tone (yes, emails have tone) and intent of the sender. Thus, misinterpretations and misunderstandings can quickly occur in the exchange of the simplest of e-mails.

What can the sender do when preparing to send an e-mail and a receiver do when reading an email? A couple of tips:

Consider the audience you are sending the e-mail to. Do you know the person(s)?
Take the time to draft the e-mail. Responding in haste to an email is a recipe for disaster. Read, then re-read the e-mail carefully.
Clarify words that might be confusing. Avoid technical jargon or slang.
Be aware of cultural nuisances.
Follow simple e-mail etiquette rules such as:
- Be concise and to the point
- Do not write in all CAPITALS
- Take care with abbreviations and emoticons
- Make sure you are sending/responding to the right person; and, above all
Take an extra second or two before you press the “send” button and ask yourself, is this really what I mean to say?
If you do not understand what the sender meant, ask.
Do not allow your own mental or emotional state to read meaning in a message, where there is none meant.

5-Jul-10 11:00 AM

Managing to Have Fun!

Jennifer Brinkley — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Power of Humor in Business

Tip of the Month!

AALA introduces Podcasting! If you missed this month's half day speaker series, you can now listen to it in the comfort of your home or office!

Many of us had the opportunity today to see the lighter side of doing business and how bringing fun into the workplace can enhance our personal and professional lives. For those of us who attended, I think we walked away with some great ideas to implement in our offices and, more importantly, new and renewed friendships with the others in attendance today.

If you weren’t able to attend, have no fear, Mr. Weinstein allowed us to record his presentation and we are working to upload this to the site for a future teleseminar! In the meantime, we’re going to bring a little fun to you. Here’s an idea courtesy of Playfair, Inc.:

Design Stress Support Kits

A sales manager at Dun and Bradstreet Software noticed that the phone consultants who reported to her were under a great deal of stress. "They're on the firing line with our customers every day," she said. "The people calling in for help are almost always under pressure. So it's crucial for our consultants stay calm, if we're going to develop a positive, long-term relationship with our customers." To help the consultants keep their cool, she created a "Stress Support Kit" which included chewing gum, aspirin, a comedy cassette, wind-up toys for the desktop, and a rubber head for squeezing during tense moments on the phone.

Playfair's Ritch Davidson was so taken with the idea that he created a similar collection for his own clients and co-workers. This "Playfair Stress Support Kit" contained three "vegetable pens" (a pen in the shape of a carrot, a corncob pen, and a pickle pen); a set of wind-up chattering teeth with little moving feet; a red foam clown nose; and an audiocassette by the Playfair staff called "Laugh Your Stress Away."

Click here for more ideas to FUN up your office!

The label that Ritch designed for the kit read: "If you're taking yourself too seriously, it's time to lighten up already!”

INDICATIONS: For the temporary relief of clenched teeth, tight necks and muscles, hair about to be pulled out by the roots, and general cranky behavior-all associated with the common stressors at work, at home, in traffic, on the golf course, in long lines...

DOSAGE: Use as often as needed at the first signs of discomfort.

The Vegetable Pens are to ease the pain the next time you have to write a check with more than two zeroes in it. The Chattering Teeth are for the next time you're stuck on a call with an unbelievably boring client. . . let the teeth walk across your desk. . . . The Clown Nose is for you to put on the next time you are stuck in a traffic jam: it won't do you much good, but the drivers of the other cars around you will go wild! And finally, the audiocassette, Laugh Your Stress Away will help you see that in any "stressful" situation there is always another way to look at the situation that can help to put it into perspective. Why choose stress?!!"

Is there anyone in your office who will be pressed to meet a demanding project deadline in the next few weeks? Take a trip to the toy store and design your own customized "Contents Under Pressure" stress support kit for him or her. It doesn't matter if your style is to present the stress support kit with great ceremony, or else to leave it hidden somewhere, to be discovered as an anonymous gift. What's important is that during a time of tension and stress, they know that someone is thinking about them. As psychotherapist Annette Goodheart, the author of Laughter Therapy has so eloquently stated, "Just because we're miserable doesn't mean we can't laugh about it!"

Matt Weinstein is the nation's foremost authority on the use of fun and humor in team building. Drawing on his own experience as a company president and twenty-five years of research by the Playfair organization, Matt Weinstein's presentations are rich in content and alive with humor. All of Matt's keynote presentations include hilarious audience interactions as an integral part of the lecture program. And Matt Weinstein’s dynamic keynote presentations come with an astounding money-back guarantee: if Matt does not get a standing ovation at the end of his program, you do not have to pay his fee! Matt was elected to the Professional Speaker’s Hall of Fame by the National Speaker’s Association, and was honored by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the “21 Top Speakers for the 21st Century.”

16-Jun-10 8:00 PM

Member Profile - Louise Cocklereece

Louise Cocklereece — Wed, 12 May 2010 03:00:00 GMT

MEMBER PROFILE

MAY

Louise Cocklereece

Office Administrator

Tisinger Vance, P.C.
Carrollton, GA
Member of AALA since: 2002

Firm / Professional Info you’d like to share:

16 attorneys, 48 employees, goal to obtain the CLM in the near future.

Personal Info you’d like to share:

I have a daughter, Britt who is enjoying her 1st year of High School; Jay, my significant other, and our cat, Dori.

AALA Involvement:

I have attended Regional Conference in New York and most recently in Savannah. Travel time limits my involvement, but I try to make speaker series luncheons and the Business Vendor luncheon (attending all of these is very beneficial to my job).

All About Lou:

1. I am responsible for the firm’s financials, HR, facilities, staffing (everything non-legal).

2. I became a legal administrator because an opportunity became available to work in a professional industry and the partners are well respected in the community.

3. The thing I like best about being a legal administrator is the variety of tasks. There is never a dull moment and some tasks are a welcome challenge.

4. The thing I like least about being a legal administrator is working with those who are not ‘team’ players or those who present problems without presenting potential solutions or options.

5. The hardest situation I have had to deal with is delivering constructive criticism, as I never know how someone may accept the information, but hopefully the employee will listen to it as a positive tool for improvement; working with those who complain about change, change is inevitable, accept it, & move on.

6. A major issue facing legal administrators today is marketing services in a very different economy.

7. To be successful, legal administrators have to be adaptable and positive, resourceful and exhibit a friendly attitude.

8. As a legal administrator, I never thought I would have to be responsible for such a variety of tasks.

9. The best advice I’ve received from a fellow legal administrator is to be involved in the ALA/AALA. This professional organization is an invaluable network and administrators, especially new administrators, should attend functions as much as possible.

10. I think legal administrators are important to the legal industry because we are the link between the partners/attorneys and the staff. We do what it takes to get the job done with the resources available. Provide peace of mind to the partners that the firm is in good hands as someone is available to handle the day-to-day operations through problem solving and making decisions while keeping the firm’s interest always as a priority.

11. I knew I was in the right profession when the partners valued my input and entrusted me with managing the operations.

12. In the office, I try to set an example by doing my very best according to my abilities, by being a good listener and in being fair minded when speaking to partners, associates or fellow employees.

13. I try to encourage my staff to work as a team and understand the overall ‘big picture’ of why we are in business-to serve our clients with the utmost professionalism, knowledge, skill and technology.

14. If I wasn’t a legal administrator I would be a college business professor.

15. I joined ALA/AALA because of the resources available and of the networking of fellow administrators.

16. I use my membership in ALA/AALA by using the list serve, accessing the website, attending speaker series meetings and regional conferences. Also attend the Business Partner Luncheon and, when possible, support those vendors who support ALA/AALA.

17. Three words that best describe me are trustworthy, fair, & optimistic.

18. My plans for the next 10 years include complete CLM; learn more of the legal aspect of the firm, which will allow me to better understand the staff and their duties/responsibilities; learn more of the technology available to improve the operations of the firm.

19. The last good movie I saw was The Blind Side.

20. In my life outside the office I enjoy spending time with my best friend Jay and my daughter Britt. We enjoy being a part of her life and involvement in our church, her school, and her swimming. We love sports, the outdoors, camping, watching movies & eating popcorn, laughing and having a great time with families and friends.

11-May-10 11:00 PM