Canadian Lawyer

Law Office Management One size doesn't fit all There are many ways to structure a law practice — big and small. hen it comes to working arrangements, one size doesn't fit all. Developing a law office that provides the right atmosphere in which to practise, run smoothly as a business, and accommodate change can be a fine balance. Just ask Lucille Birkett. She started her legal career articling and working at a seven-person firm in Edmonton. Then, she joined two friends, splitting rent and office expenses in an old converted house. At the time, she was doing personal injury work. Bills mounted and, coupled with the 19-percent interest she was paying on the mortgage for her home, meant she was being pushed toward the financial brink. Birkett decided to reinvent her busi- 18 F e b r uary 2013 www.CANADIAN ness, moving into a 700-square-foot office and adding family law to her practice. But she wasn't alone for long. She took on an articling student and they eventually joined forces as employeremployee. The new lawyer paid Birkett a percentage of her billings, contributing toward the overhead. At about the same time, Birkett developed an association with a third lawyer on an eat-whatyou-kill arrangement and together they developed a professional corporation. They each maintained their own trust and general operating accounts, and paid for their own staff, law society dues, and other individual costs, but shared in the overall office expenses. "Once you get it going, it works well," says Birkett. She knew if she wanted to keep it small, she also needed to keep it man- L a w ye r m a g . c o m ageable and contain the overhead. But there are other issues at play. Through the various office arrangements, Birkett has found personalities play a role, as do professional ethics and business mindset. As a result, some of her professional relationships have been more successful than others. "I decided pretty early on, it's far better to share expenses rather than income. This allows all of us to work as hard as we like," says Birkett, past chairwoman of the Canadian Bar Association's small, solo, and general practice forum. But, she points out, while there is a real separation, there are social and professional benefits to having two or more lawyers working under the same roof. She enjoys the professional interaction that naturally evolves, allowing lawyers working in a common space to bounce Jeremy Bruneel W By Marg. Bruineman

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