I didn't get a chance to take many photos at the ALA Conference last week, but I thought I would share the few I did take...
(L-R) Steve Butterworth - President of BigHand; Jobst Elster - Head of Content for InsideLegal; John Delavan - Editor-in-Chief & Associate Publisher for ALA
(L-R) Affinity Consulting's Team of Consultants - Ed Emmerson, Cindy Emmerson, Debbie Foster, Steve Best, Britt Lorish Knuttgen, Barron Henley
Keith Gall - New VP of Sales & Marketing for Omega
Last week, we attended the Association of Legal Administrator's 39th Annual Educational Conference & Exposition in Boston and judging by conference attendance, which was up approximately 40% to 1,300+ from 2009, the event was yet another indicator that the worst of the latest economic recession is behind us. In addition to the ideally located convention space (with close proximity to literally 100s of shops, restaurants and watering holes), the choice of Boston as host city attracted many for additional client networking and meeting opportunities.
The ALA show is like no other (except for maybe the ABA Annual) in our legal technology space because it offers much more than "just" technology solutions. Case in point, of the 192 exhibitors in Boston (vs. 186 in 2009), only 75 vendors (less than 40%) sold legal technology software/hardware/consulting services. Over 60% of the booths touted anything and everything involved with day-to-day law firm administration and office management ranging from architectural services to insurance products, office supplies, staffing providers and translation services.
This broad mix might surprise some, especially those unfamiliar with the expansive list of job duties handled by your 'typical' legal administrator (often also referred to as office manager, director of administration, executive director, office administrator or chief administrative officer).In connection with the ALA Annual, we though it fitting to further 'de-mystify' the legal administrator and explain what they care about, how they perceive technology and why they attend the annual conference. Some exhibitors have even argued that legal administrators are not the right audience for legal technology vendors since they only care about IT 'a little bit'. We decided to ask a few administrators and see if this is true:
IL: What are your daily job duties as an legal administrator...
Joan Wean - Legal Administrator, Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, PC: I am responsible for the day-to-day administrative and personnel operations of HRMM&L, working directly with the Managing Partner. I assist in the development of operating policies and evaluation of growth opportunities within the firm and am involved in recommending a multitude of firm purchases ranging from liability insurance to office furniture. I have spent the last 18 years at the firm and currently support all 75 users including 30 attorneys.
Glenda Raley - Cincinnati Office Administrator, Ulmer & Berne LLP: I am one of four administrators (reporting to the firm's executive director) supporting 175 attorneys across four offices in Ohio and Illinois. I truly do a little bit of everything and must be well versed in new technologies, new HR policies and the latest insurance options, just to name a few.
John S. Kirk - Director of Administration (& Chair of ALA Vendor Relations Committee) Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox LLP: We wear many hats and juggle lots of responsibilities. In my case, there's roughly a 25% time split for HR, IT, Finance, and facilities management and general admin. Educating myself on new trends, new technologies, and policies is paramount to performing my job.
IL: What role do you play in the technology purchasing process? How important is technology to you as an administrator?
Joan Wean: Technology obviously plays a critical role in our firm but as far as day-to-day technology goes we rely on mindSHIFT for everything. They do it all in terms of IT services and hosting as well.
Glenda Raley: My biggest role in technology purchasing is that of end-user champion. I listen to what our users want and what they need to serve our clients and then communicate this to the appropriate decision makers and influencers. In terms of decision making, I make technology recommendations (again based on user feedback and what I see at shows like ALA) and take them to the firm's Executive Director.
John S. Kirk: Technology is no longer just a tool but touches on all facets of my daily firm work. I am constantly reaching out to vendors and educating myself on new tools and systems that will make our firm's operation more efficient and productive.
IL: Why did you attend the 2010 Annual ALA Conference & Expo?
Joan Wean: I look forward to the educational sessions and the business partner interaction during exhibit hall hours.
Glenda Raley: I attend the annual conference to scope out new trends, network with peers, and spend time visiting vendors at the exhibit hall.
John S. Kirk: Education is as important as networking with peers and vendor partners. As chair of the vendor relations committee, I appreciate the partnering and interaction that takes place at conference between our members and business partners.
This concludes our much too short dialog with these legal administrators, but hopefully paves the way for many more conversations. We'd love to hear from legal administrators about their roles.
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.
