Professional Development in the legal community enhances the internal client’s experience and assists them with planning for their continued professional education and growth within their chosen practice field. This is done by various CLE seminars, certification courses, and immersion programs, which allow the attorneys to hone their legal skills.
Professional Development is responsible for devising and implementing various strategies and programs regarding recruiting, education, supervision, training initiatives, evaluation procedures, diversity, succession, stress management, leadership, and cohesiveness for attorneys both intra and inter offices.
Professional Development Benefits:
*Improves Recruiting potential
*Strengthens Attorney and Staff retention rates
*Revenue Generating
Professional Development options available:
In-House CLE Program: Lawyers are required by the Bar to get CLE. Having programs in-house works well for the attorneys in terms of time away, and aids in them obtaining the hard to get ethics and technology credits. Money is saved by the reduced need for external courses.
“University”: Litigators attend a 3 day immersion course which the Professional Development Director builds, organizes, and runs from beginning to end. Other practice groups, such as real estate, likewise attend a 3 day immersion course, and for those studying for certification exams, weekly Boot Camp sessions are an added bonus.
Firm leadership selects different skill sets to focus on each year and designs an agenda accordingly. For example, in the litigation practice group, this could be depositions, dealing with recalcitrant witnesses, objections, demonstrative aids, etc. In the client service context, this could be communication skills, dealing with difficult clients, and more. The faculty includes experienced recognized practitioners who lead discussions, instruct, and critique the attorneys during training exercises. Internal faculty actively participate as group leaders and provide instruction on various topics. Up to 30 CLE credits may be approved for this course annually. Attorneys at all levels praise the value of such training in helping hone their skills through experiential “hands-on” learning, peer review and evaluation by leading experts.
Leadership/the Business Side of Law: Contrary to what some people believe, leadership skills are not innate in most people and can be learned. This program not only teaches such skills, but helps identify future leaders and teach them about the law business and the operations of the firm, including, but not limited to management, HR, Accounting, IT, Professional Development, Client Service, and Marketing.
Diversity: The program is important to the perception and the reality of the firm in the future for recruitment and retention.
Other Services:
Practice Group Meetings
Board Certifications
LINK- Mentor Program
For more information about Immersion Courses: https://mbavinstrategies.com/universities/
For more information about Stress Management: https://mbavinstrategies.com/stress-management/
