HR Issues for Law Firms & Legal Departments

Law firms are not immune from the application of employment laws and the human resource management challenges facing any Massachusetts employer. While the Massachusetts sick leave law, Equal Pay Act, and discrimination laws-just to name a few-apply equally to law firms and their staff, hiring and retaining lawyers has become more difficult given the work/life expectations of more recent graduates and the current thin market for experienced professionals. Managing lawyers also presents its own set of challenges, including determining appropriate levels of independence, juggling varied schedules, navigating decentralized work assignment systems, and reining in a strong tendency to defer to significant business generators-even when potentially inappropriate behaviors surface.

This new program informs and guides lawyers, executive directors, and office administrators who manage lawyers and staff in the legal environment. The expert panel explores the employment law and human resource management issues affecting lawyers and law firm staff from the outset until the end of the employment relationship. In addition to discussing typical problems and issues, the panelists review management tools and tips to avoid and address problems once identified. Join the dialogue!