Summer Only: Law Practice Management - Assistant Dean Devra, Hermosilla, Course Number: LAW-497 , Course Type: Foundational , Credits: 2 , Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar , Description: The course provides a practical view, of how to start, operate, and manage your legal, practice - with a focus on law firm and solo, practice, while also incorporating other practice, settings. Topics explored include: understanding, practice fundamentals, law practice as a business,, law firm structures and logistics, financial, management, timekeeping, billing, and trust, accounts, marketing plans, client management,, human resources, practice tools and technology,, issues surrounding professionalism and reputation, management, common ethical issues and obligations,, key resources for Oregon attorneys, and the basics, of risk management and professional liability., Students will explore course topics by researching, and drafting interim assignments and a small, firm/solo business practice plan, which will be, submitted at the end of the course. Class, participation individually and in groups is, strongly encouraged. While particularly relevant, to students planning on a career in small firm or, solo practice, this course will benefit any new, attorney. Graded on a CR/NC basis. , Prerequisite: none , Evaluation Method: Final project; class, participation , Capstone: no , WIE: no , , , , , The course provides a practical view of how to, start and operate a small firm/solo legal, practice. Topics include: choosing a firm, structure and entity type; selecting a location;, determining staffing needs; developing in-depth, financial and marketing plans; an overview of law, firm economics and trust accounting; establishing, efficient office systems; using technology;, common ethical issues; key resources for Oregon, attorneys; and the basics of risk management and, professional liability. Students will explore, course topics by researching and drafting interim, assignments and a small firm/solo business, practice plan, which will be submitted at the end, of the course. Class participation individually, and in groups is strongly encouraged. Grading is, on a pass/no pass basis. While particularly, relevant to students planning on a career in, small firm or solo practice, this course will, benefit any new attorney.
- Teacher: Devra Hermosilla