Elon LPM Class

Elon University School of Law – Law Firm Management Class, December 2016

The Particulars

Law Firm Management – Law 830A

Adjunct Professor Damon Duncan

Room 105 – 1 Credit Hour

Mon – Thurs 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Class Description:	This course will acquaint students with the data and skills necessary to understand the business of delivering legal services today and in the future. Topics and skills addressed include management theory and techniques, employment, client-management, interviewing, counseling, negotiations, systems analysis and design, business development, technology and professional responsibility. Lecture, demonstration and clinical stimulations will be utilized.
Textbook Information:	Name: North Carolina Small Law Office Resource Manual (Digital Copy) Author: North Carolina Bar Association Edition: 5^th Edition (2011) Publisher: North Carolina Bar Association ISBN #: N/A Price: $60.00 Other selected readings. (Provided)
Attendance:	Attendance for this class is important. With only four class periods, missing one class is the same as missing 25% of another course’s classes. An absence is only acceptable with the prior consent of the class’s professor. Poor attendance will result in a poor final grade.
Grading Criteria:	This is a pass / fail class. To pass this class we expect attendance, regular participation and a professional final presentation. I hope the desire to be a great lawyer will be your motivation in this class, not a “P” on a final transcript.
Office Hours:	In addition to being an adjunct professor I am a full time practicing attorney. Although I do not keep regular office hours at the law school if you need to speak with me please contact me and we will set up an appropriate time to discuss any questions, comments or concerns you may have.

Class Schedule & Reading Assignments

Day #1 – Monday, December 12, 2016

Reading Assignment:

Complete Personal Budget (Fill Out Provided Forms)

Chapter 9, Financial Peace for Business: Bulletproof Principles for Money, Debt, and Funding Your Future; EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey

Skim Chapter 3 of the North Carolina Small Law Office Resource Manual (Finances)

Time	Topic	Speaker
5:30 – 5:45 PM	Introductions / Expectations	Damon Duncan, Duncan Law, LLP
5:45 – 6:45 PM	Succeeding in Your First Year	Erik Mazzone, NCBA Center for Practice Management
6:45 – 7:45 PM	Financial Planning for Young Professionals	Linus Whitlock, Carolina WIN Team
7:45 – 8:00 PM	Break	N/A
8:00 – 8:30 PM	Financial Planning for Running a Law Practice	Damon Duncan, Duncan Law, LLP

Day #2 – Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Reading Assignment:

Chapter 2, The 10,000-Hour Rule; Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell

Skim Chapters 9 of the North Carolina Small Law Office Resource Manual (Client Development)

Time	Topic	Speaker
5:30 – 6:30 PM	How to Get Hired (and Fired) by Law Firms & Legal Organizations	Kenneth R. Keller and Mark York (L’12), Carruthers & Roth, P.A.
6:30 – 7:30 PM	Practical Marketing for a New Attorney	Damon Duncan, Duncan Law, LLP
7:30 – 7:45 PM	Break	N/A
7:45 – 8:30 PM	Location! Location! Location!: Where to Build Your Practice	Damon Duncan, Duncan Law, LLP

Day #3 – Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Reading Assignment:

Skim Chapters 1 and 8 of the North Carolina Small Law Office Resource Manual (Law Firm Organization & Risk Management)

Time	Topic	Speaker
5:30 – 6:30 PM	Lessons from Those Who Have Reached the Mountain Top	Afi Johnson-Parris, Ward Black Law; Alan Duncan, Turning Point Litigation; Locke Clifford, Clifford, Clendenin, O’Hale, LLP
6:30 – 7:30 PM	60 Tech Tips in 60 Minutes: How to Increase Efficiency and Decrease Costs As A New Attorney	Damon Duncan, Duncan Law, LLP
7:30 – 7:40 PM	Break	N/A
7:40 – 8:30 PM	TBD	TBD

Day #4 – Thursday, December 15, 2016

Time	Topic	Speaker
5:30 -8:30 PM	Class Presentations	Judge’s Panel

Everyone is required to attend the final class period. Each presentation should last for about 10 minutes. You will present in front of a panel of professionals who will provide you approximately five minutes of feedback.

You may choose to work alone or you may work with one other student for your final presentation. Each presentation will have six basic elements:

Résumé
Business Plan (and from a Lendor’s Perspective)
First Year Budget (and another perspective and another)
Marketing Plan (Easy Law Practice Marketing Plan from Lee Rosen)
Business Development (Networking & Referral) Plan
One Page Informational Interview Summary

One Page Informational Interview Summary – Each student must interview an attorney practicing in a firm or practice area similar to where they want to practice. The goal of this interview is to get a first hand perspective of what it takes to be a successful attorney. Each student should write a one page, singe spaced, summary of his or her interview. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the information gained from this informational interview. You will present on this informational interview during your final presentation.

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Elon University School of Law – Law Firm Management Class, December 2016

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The Particulars

Class Schedule & Reading Assignments

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