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For Immediate Release: December 10, 2007

Cleveland Lawyers Learn Business Strategies for Firm Profitability

CLEVELAND, December 10, 2007 - National law practice management expert, Ed Poll J.D. M.B.A. CMC, returned to Cleveland December 6 to deliver a presentation on firm profitability strategies sponsored by the Cleveland Bar Association and the Cleveland Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. Poll, the founder of LawBiz® Management Co, informs attorneys across the nation about the sound strategies, best practices, and business metrics needed to bolster firm profits, as well as how to be more effective with their clients.

"In this multi-track presentation, attendees had the opportunity to learn about law firm financial management, disaster preparedness, business continuity, managing client expectations, and practice development," said William D. Mech, the Cleveland Office Administrator for Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P. and president of the Cleveland Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. "The presentation was approved for CLE credit and was very beneficial for attorneys in managerial roles and professional legal administrators."

In his address, Poll emphasized the importance of running a financially sound firm. A few of his underlying themes were creating a structured process for client billing, incorporating business management and marketing strategies in firm administration, as well as building a comprehensive recovery plan. He explained the value of cash flow management, the calculation of fiscal earnings, how and when to increase fees, and provided tips on forecasting.

Poll addressed the operations and practice development issues that lawyers are not formally trained to perform. As a former practicing attorney and CEO in the manufacturing industry, Poll understands that the business strategies that make companies profitable are applicable to law firms as well. He believes that for some lawyers there is a disconnect between focusing on the output of a firm, in terms of handling a case load or transactional matters, and crafting a business plan that includes sound financial management and client-focused service policies.

Poll's focus and publishing in the field has earned him praise including the recent recognition for his blog, www.LawBizBlog.com, by the ABA Journal as one of the top 100 blawgs. He has given similar seminars for the Canadian Bar Association, the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators, Lawyers Weekly USA, and the Social Law Library, among others.