InsideLegal

Larry Smith Named Executive Director of ALA

The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) announced earlier this week that Larry Smith has been named its new Executive Director. In January 2010, Smith will succeed John J. Michalik, who recently announced his retirement after 15 years with the Association.

ALA President Susan French Koran, Director of Administration at Oklahoma-based Fellers Snider Blankenship Bailey & Tippens, P.C., expressed her confidence in Smith's ability to lead the Association: "Larry's experience, knowledge and familiarity with the legal industry and legal management profession as well as his strong financial background make him a perfect match to ALA's needs," Koran said.

Working with ALA's Board of Directors, Smith will oversee all aspects of the organization's operations, including its headquarters staff and 100 chapters. With more than 25 years of applicable experience in finance, management consulting, law and association management, Smith brings a strong background to ALA. Most recently, he has served for seven years as Director of the American Bar Association Law Practice Management Section, where he developed and maintains strong relationships throughout the legal profession. Smith holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and a J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law.

The official press release can be read here.

Building Law Firm Relationships

InsideLegal's own Jobst Elster is the author of one of Legal Management's (ALA's member magazine) May features entitled "Positive Partnerships: Cultivating Strong Business Relationships with Legal Vendors". The article discusses how law firm administrators can build value through their firms’ relationships with legal vendors.  Here is a preview and a link to the complete article ...

"With the economy reeling and law firms being squeezed from all sides, the reality of 'doing more with less' greatly depends on your ability to rely on vendor partners that will go the extra mile for you. The value gained from pursuing true partnerships with your legal product and service vendors can be tremendous and, more often than not, quite manageable to attain and cultivate. Relying on best practices from past partnerships is critical to success in this regard, as well as your willingness to tap into a rich pool of external resources, including members of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)...."

To view the rest of the article, Download ALA/InsideLegal Vendors Relationships Article.

ALA Conference & Expo: May 18-21 in New Orleans

Next week (May 18-21) is the Annual Association of Legal Administrators Conference & Expo in New Orleans.  The conference will have over 200 exhibitors and includes 100 educational sessions designed for law firm administrators.  The conference has some great educational tracks and exhibitors are allowed to attend all the sessions (space permitting) except for the idea exchanges.  This is a great way for vendors to get even more out of their exhibiting experience and allow for better networking with the attendees. 

On Tuesday, ALA is hosting a vendor eduation workshop entitled, "A Peek Behind the Curtain: Business Partner Survival Strategies".  The panel discussion will offer tips and suggestions to help business partners weather this difficult economic climate.

"Panelists will respond to issues raised by our Vendor Relations Committee and Vendor Advisory Panel members such as predicted changes in buying habits over the near term, ranking what influences decisions about vendor selection, ranking the more effective marketing materials and techniques, describing the legal landscape 18 to 24 months from now, and suggestions for better ways to gain access to large firm administrators.

Time has been allocated for the panelists to respond to questions from the business partners attending the session. There will also be time for the informal exchange of ideas, business relationship building, and a prize drawing following the presentation." 

The session will be Tuesday, May 19, 2:15–3:45 p.m. in NOMCC Rooms 283/284/285.

In addition to the general and vendor session, exhibitors are encourged to attend the social events including Welcome Reception Sunday and Finale Party Wednesday night.  The Finale Party will be held at Mardi Gras World, that houses the most awesome floats ever built, illuminated with tens of thousands of fiber optic lights, thousands of sensational sculptures, breathtaking giant figures, and an ALA Parade.  Tickets to these events are available onsite.

InsideLegal will be onsite and we look forward to seeing you there!