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    Wisconsin Lawyer
    December 01, 2003

    Managing Risk: The Importance of Management in the Law Office

    Standardized operations are just as practical in the law office as in the factory, according to a speaker at the 1950 Mid-Winter Meeting of the Wisconsin Bar Association.

    Dwight McCarty

The Importance of Management in the Law Office

by Dwight D. McCarty

The principle of standardization is predicated mainly on habit formation. Psychology has long recognized that we are creatures of habit. ... This is a tremendous force, which may be controlled and utilized. In the law office we apply the same principle. We experiment to determine the quickest and best way to do a certain thing in order to accomplish a certain purpose. When thus worked out it then is made a standardized operation. Once it is thus standardized, it is performed in exactly the same way every time it is called for and then becomes a fixed habit. It becomes automatic. The task therefore is done more efficiently, in less time, and with very little chance of mistake or of overlooking some important detail.

One of the first principles of standardization is simplification. Do the task in the most simple and best manner. ... It is worth noting that standardized routine helps take care of the small matters that inevitably come into every office. ... These small matters always seem vital to the client. He magnifies their importance and often insists upon service out of all proportion to its value. It is necessary to give service in these matters to maintain the good will of such a client. He may have an important case sometime. Here is where the standard routine comes in. ... One lawyer wrote me that standard practice was just the thing to take care of what he called "nickel and dime stuff," and did so very satisfactorily and at a greatly reduced cost.

Like the businessman, the attorney must develop all the efficient methods possible in order to cope with the constant new demands on his time and attention and meet the continual pressure of increasing responsibilities. ... When one undertakes to modernize his house, the carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and painters all move in, and the family moves out. President Truman is living at Blair House while the White House is being rebuilt. Fortunately the modernization of the office procedure is not so drastic. The recommendation is that one or two activities be first studied, standardized and perfected, and entered in the office manual. ... Thus the modernization is made gradually and without disrupting the daily work of the office.

These aids in lessening the burden of routine tasks are not intended to supplant the personal element. ... After all, it must be recognized that nothing will take the place of hard work in the practice of law. No machine has ever been invented that will do the lawyer's thinking for him. We all know that it is hard, persistent application that counts. But at the same time a proper office organization will relieve the lawyer from many distracting details and needless worry that wears down the mental and bodily powers. Creative work is the very essence of the practice. It is the function of management to release more time for important matters and to enable the lawyer to conserve his brain energy and concentrate his highest legal attainments upon the real problems of the practice. That is what enables the lawyer to give the highest type of constructive service to his clients.

If the lawyer of today is to measure up to his responsibilities, if he is to maintain his leadership, if he is to perform the function of legal advisor in a trusted fiduciary capacity, he must not only maintain the high traditions of the past, but must have a vision of the future. He can continue as a leader only as long as he continues in touch with everyday life and understands the needs and aspirations of the people. He must move forward, and as business progresses, he must progress. He must know the industrial trade and the business life of the community in order that he may lead and guide the vanguard and not trail along in the rear. Only by such clear and timely progressive management, can the lawyer of today be worthy of his high calling and meet the challenge of the present hour.


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