Validate Business Decisions While Highlighting Your Firm’s Uniqueness

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By Vanessa E. Kahn
Firm Administrator at Monroe Moxness Berg P.A.

The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) is the premier organization for legal management professionals with over 9,000 members. The Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALAMN) is a state-wide group of legal administrators and other professionals in law firm management roles dedicated to the support, education, and growth of the profession and the legal industry at large. Membership in ALA and ALAMN provides these professionals with a support system so they can be more efficient and adapt to changing expectations quickly within their law firms.

The Association of Legal Administrators’ (ALA) mission is to:

• Improve the quality of legal management
• Promote and enhance the competence and professionalism of legal administrators and all members of the management team; and
• Represent professional legal management and managers to the legal community and to the community at large.

The management team at Monroe Moxness Berg, P.A. uses the resources of ALA and ALAMN to help arm its leaders for success.  The firm wants leaders to be well-educated and equipped to navigate the expected and unexpected issues of the post-pandemic era. One thing we have realized in our relationship and participation in ALA and ALAMN is that we are able to compare our firm’s choices and decisions against those of other firms. It validates when we are unique in our decision-making or following the trends.

Whether we embrace it or not, the working world is changing quickly. It is our responsibility as leaders to adapt and seize opportunities for our workers and shareholders. ALA and ALAMN helps firms adapt faster and can play a meaningful role in your firm’s organization. If your strategic plan includes catching up to the herd or leading the pack, ALA and ALAMN gives you the tools for both.

As we approach annual reviews for law firm staff, our firm begins to read and evaluate law firm industry trends related to salaries and benefits. We look for up-to-date local, regional, and national benchmarks to help us understand the challenging labor market. In consultation with the trusted business partners of ALA and ALAMN, we harness their thought leadership and expertise to strengthen our program offerings and stay at the cutting edge of employee benefits and services. While we believe we currently offer a competitive and comprehensive employee package, it is invaluable to know what new trends are being offered to ensure our firm’s competitiveness in the market.

ALA and ALAMN teams up with third-party vendors who are on the cutting edge of innovation in their fields. These trusted Business Partners support law firms across the country, and they are in tune with the changing needs in the market. Business partners offer services in the areas of consulting, financial management/investment, technology, real estate, insurance, recruiting/staffing, and so much more. They have long-standing relationships with ALA and ALAMN members, and provide resources that can streamline operations, help firms work more efficiently, and improve profitability.

Each year, ALAMN administers an annual survey to collect data on salaries and benefits paid to employees in private law firms, corporate law departments, and governmental legal departments in Minnesota. This anonymous data is tabulated by an independent third party and circulated to members who participate at a reduced cost and to other members for a fee. The survey assists members in administering salaries and benefits within their organizations.

The survey is one of the most valuable benefits of ALAMN membership.  The Survey has reliable, local information on wages, pay practices, and benefits specific to legal positions in our law firms.  Participation is encouraged and appreciated because the more participants that are included, the more valuable the data is to all firms.

The survey is typically distributed in September of each year. Law firms are asked to participate and provide their information in July and typically receive the survey data in September. Law firms can use the information within to benchmark how you are doing compared to other firms. All of us are afraid of being reactive and falling behind. Why not use ALA and ALAMN to help you stay competitive? Showcase your firm’s dynamic thinking, and thought leadership, and drive the trends. Don’t be left out of the game!

For more information about ALA and ALAMN or to access this year’s annual compensation and benefit survey, please visit https://alamn.memberclicks.net/ or email [email protected].

Bio: Firm Administrator Vanessa Kahn, is responsible for day-to-day law firm operations as well as long-term strategic road mapping. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chapter of Legal Administrators (ALAMN), a Minnesota affiliate of the National Association of Legal Administrators (ALA).