Solution Manual For Cynthia Traina Donnes, Law Practice Management, 5th Edition

Solution Manual For Cynthia Traina Donnes, Law Practice Management, 5th Edition
OVERVIEW
Chapter 1 sets the stage for the rest of the text. It explains what types of job positions and functional areas
there are in a law practice office, including basic information about practicing paralegals. The chapter is
full of current surveys and research regarding what paralegals do on the job, what types of firms they
practice in, who typically supervises them, what the ratio of paralegals to attorneys is in different-size
firms, compensation, and overtime. The chapter also gives students an understanding of what type of law
practices exist, along with the different legal and management structures for law offices.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
ï‚· 1.01 Explain the titles and duties of each member of the legal team.
ï‚· 1.02 Identify the different types of law practices.
ï‚· 1.03 Explain alternative law office organizational structures.
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OUTLINE
I. The Legal Team (PPT Slide 3)
The legal team consists of attorneys, administrators, law clerks, librarians, paralegals, secretaries,
clerks, and other parties (Exhibit 1-1).
A. Attorneys (PPT Slide 4)
Attorneys counsel clients regarding their legal rights, represent clients in litigation, and
negotiate agreements between clients and others.
1. Partner/Shareholder—A partner or shareholder is an owner in a private law
practice who shares in its profits and losses.
a. Managing Partner—A managing partner is chosen by the partnership to run the
firm, make administrative decisions, and set policies.
2. Associate Attorneys—An associate attorney does not have an ownership interest
in the law firm and does not share in the profits. The associate is an employee of
the firm who receives a salary and has no vote regarding management decisions.
a. Lateral Hire—A lateral hire is an associate who is hired from another firm.
b. Nonequity Partner—A nonequity partner does not share in the profits or losses of
the business but may be included in some aspects of the management of the firm
and may be entitled to other benefits not given to associates.
c. Staff Attorney—A staff attorney is an attorney hired by a firm with the
knowledge and understanding that they will never be considered for partnership.
d. Contract Attorney—A contract attorney is an associate attorney who is
temporarily hired by the law office for a specific job or period. When the job or
period is finished, the relationship with the firm is over.
3. ―Of Counsel‖—The ―of counsel‖ position is a flexible concept but generally
means that the attorney is affiliated with the firm in some way, such as a retired
or semiretired partner. ―Of counsel‖ attorneys lend their names to a firm for