The key functions of a legal office manager
The legal office manager is responsible for having a thorough understanding of, and competencies in, the everyday operations of a law office. Practically speaking, the legal office manager has a working knowledge of everything from accounts payable/receivable to billing, marketing, and case management. The legal office manager is the "go to" for every piece of information about the operation of the law firm, including the management of all technology systems. Ultimately, anything and everything that could disrupt the work of a lawyer on a particular day is the responsibility of the office manager to resolve .
While it can be a critical job in helping to keep the firm moving forward, the legal office manager is not usually at the forefront of a law firm’s marketing materials. This is, of course, totally understandable given the past perception of the legal office manager as being administrative. However, more and more law firms are revising the responsibilities of the legal office manager and expect their legal office managers to bring strategic information, insight and data to the table in helping them manage their business. (We’ll discuss this transition in more detail in the next section.)
Average salary in the field
Your research into the salary of a legal office manager must take into account factors beyond their role. The location of the position, size of the firm to be managed, and level of experience of the individual will impact the average. In this decade, the mean annual wage for legal office managers is $79,055, but ranges from $59,991 – $103,550, on average. Entry-level positions, where relocation is necessary, can start at $39,643, plus relocation, while those with experience in large firms will earn an average of $106,000. Experienced legal office managers hired for practice consolidation earn $145,000+ in partnership.
Regional differences, though amplified by the economic fluctuations, persist. For example, New York is home to the highest concentration of lawyers, but legal office managers in the city earn an average of $131,338. While Chicago, the second largest concentration, has legal office managers earning average wages of $96,289. In Philadelphia, the average for legal office managers is $64,113, Los Angeles, $96,222 and Washington, D.C., $67,591. Bureau of Labor Statistics is the source for much of the legal marketing information that we use to help our clients shape their professional practices.
Factors that may affect legal office manager salaries
Salary levels in this position can vary significantly based upon a variety of different factors.
Education:
As an office management position, employers will typically seek at least a bachelor’s degree in business or related field for the position. A significant amount of industry specific knowledge will also be required, and a legal background will be beneficial in this capacity.
Experience:
At least five years of professional experience, including supervisory experience in a law office or law firm managing staff members is typically expected for the position. A successful track record managing a law office will be the key to gaining further advancement and increased compensation in this area.
Certifications:
There are numerous certification programs for legal office managers that can help enhance career prospects. In addition to demonstrating competency in a high level of proficiency in office management, these programs will enhance credentials by providing networking opportunities.
Additional Skills:
While not absolutely necessary, advanced legal knowledge, accounting instructions, and human resources experience will help power legal office managers toward six-figure salaries. In addition, project management skills are becoming increasingly in demand to manage more and more complicated projects, and office managers with project management experience will set themselves apart in the hiring process. Such managers will also have to also possess superb interpersonal communication skills to interact with attorneys, legal support staff, and clients in the course of their day-to-day operations.
Location-based salary variations
The geographical location of the firm has a big impact on salary, with almost 20% of respondents saying they earned more than $100,000. Chicago, San Francisco, and New York are the cities with the most legal office managers earning top dollar. Firm size does come into play slightly, however, larger firms don’t pay much more than their smaller counterparts when you compare averages . Resumes to Results makes the point that while what you end up getting paid is a combination of many factors, if you are in a high-demand market, you will likely earn more. Currently, some of the highest demand legal office manager jobs are in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; and Boston. Silicon Valley also continues to be in the ‘hot’ category – and with intellectual property being a growing practice area, it’s no surprise that the demand is high for tech-savvy law office managers in this region.
How industry trends are affecting compensation
The legal landscape is like a ripple in a pond. One drop can create a tidal wave that impacts numerous stakeholders. The legal office manager is no exception. Let’s take a look at a few current trends that are changing the way legal office managers operate. The rise of virtual law firms has garnered a great deal of attention in recent years. Not surprisingly, they provide both enhanced convenience for clients as well as cost-effective solutions. They also tend to use less office space than traditional law firms. While this is a boon for the company bottom line, it can put a damper on front-office staff employment opportunities. There are fewer offices to manage and maintain, which curbs the need for legal office managers. BigLaw firms are becoming more choosy in who they select for managerial positions. They look for experienced managers who are willing to learn and master important management skills. More than ever before, it’s essential for legal office managers to understand modern accounting software, HR systems, reporting software and marketing automation platforms, among other things. Working knowledge of leading technology trends such as Cloud-computing and mobile device management can help you stand out. Technological advances have not gone unnoticed by management. Many law firms are looking for ways to streamline administrative functions while providing better service to clients. In addition to a growing reliance on technology to complete day-to-day tasks faster and more accurately, many firms are beginning to embrace technology to track administrative functions. This might include tracking the time spent on administrative tasks or providing more accurate data for better invoicing. In each of these cases, legal office managers need to understand technology trends and how to determine the best solutions for their firms. Law firms are closely examining their costs and the return on their investment. The legal office manager needs to be able to understand the question, "How much does this system cost and how much is it saving us?"
Advancing in the legal administrative profession
Legal office managers are in the unique position of having experience in both law and business. This dual expertise allows managers to grow into executive-level positions. Legal office managers often ascend to these high-level management positions within the organization they currently work for, though a change in employer is sometimes necessary. The job titles and roles legal office managers typically grow into include: The advancement path for each of these roles can, and should, include supervision and management of paralegals and legal assistants. The American Bar Association (ABA) recognizes the importance of supervising these professionals as an essential competency required of all legal office managers . There is also room for career advancement through further education and certification. While five years of related experience is the most common requirement for legal office manager vacancies, many employers prefer candidates who possess advanced degrees in business, human resources, or law. The Paralegal Association of Florida (PAF), the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) are four professional associations that offer legal office manager certificate programs.