Law firms are faced with a tough competitive environment in which the market has become increasingly price sensitive. With clients demanding even more predictability in their fees, all firms – and especially smaller players – must innovate and use legal intelligence to their advantage in order to increase efficiency, boost competitiveness and generate greater value for clients.
Challenges typically faced by smaller firms include cash flow pressures, difficulty in retaining and growing a client base and the constant juggling act of trying to stay up to date with their profession while building their business.
But there are also opportunities for those willing to leverage their smaller structures and more efficient pricing models to act quickly, efficiently and cost effectively for the ultimate benefit of their clients.
Smaller firms can also take advantage of industry platforms, such as the Bootcamp for Small and Medium Law Firms, held for the first time in 2017 with great success and now back by popular demand. This one-day seminar will be hosted by Gauteng Attorneys Association in partnership with LexisNexis South Africa and AJS on 17 September 2019 at Kyalami Country Club.
As with last year’s event, the Bootcamp for Small and Medium Law Firms will arm legal practitioners with information on the latest developments in the legal space, offering insight into best practice to keep smaller firms on the road to success.
A panel of expert speakers at the 2018 bootcamp covered various tips for small to medium law success, such as:
- Get the best staff and best technology you can afford.
- Start using technology like a millennial and train your staff to be more technical and efficient.
- Have a plan. Determine what work do you want to do and what clients you want to have.
- Have a professional website and increase your presence online as well as in local media so that you are known to your market.
- Develop distinctive areas of specialisation.
- Streamline billing and collections – it is critical that you bill regularly and collect fees.
- Always go the extra mile for their client.
- Outsource the non-core functions of your firm.
On the agenda for this year’s event is another exciting line-up of speakers, who will cover diverse yet relevant topics including:
- Practical Business Advice to Lawyers – Presented by Chris Pearson, Director in Sales at AJS. Chris will provide practical advice on how firms can use technology to meet the challenges now creeping into the South Africa legal profession, with learnings from the rest of the world.
- Driving Efficiency: The Convergence of Legal, Technology and Data – Presented by Rico Burnett, Director of Client Innovation at Exigent Group Limited.
- Risk in a Legal Practice – Presented by Henri Van Rooyen, Practitioner Support Executive at the Legal Practitioners Indemnity Insurance Fund. His presentation will outline the services of the LPIIF and provide tips on how to manage risk in the firm’s office.
- The Legal Practice Act – Issues & Section 35 – Presented by Krish Govender, who has served the Legal Profession in various areas for more than 40 years and is currently a member of the Legal Practice Council.
- Commentary on POPI – Presented by Ahmore Burger-Smidt, director at Werksmans Advisory Services and the Head of the Data Protection & Privacy practice group
- Social Media in the Workplace – Presented by Karabo Tshabuse, an associate in Bowmans’ Johannesburg office and a member of the Employment and Benefits practice group.
- BEE Compliance for Law Firms – Presented by Ismail Laher, managing director of the fund manager NPI Capital Partners and a corporate, mergers and acquisitions advisor and BEE advisor.
- Marriages of the indigenous people of SA – Presented by Allen West, Property Law expert
Practicing and non-practicing Legal Practitioners can register to attend the Small and Medium Law Firms Boot Camp at R950.00 per person. Team bookings are also available for three or more Legal Practitioners at R750.00 per delegate. Registration starts at 08h00 and the programme will run until 16h30.
For more information, contact Hester Bezuidenhout on hester.b@icloud.com
