Why Ed Poll?
Edward Poll is the nation’s foremost expert on law practice management, focused on helping attorneys and law firms effectively manage the Business of Law®.
Recently quoted in the New York Times and ABA Journal, Ed Poll, J.D., M.B.A., CMC, has dedicated his career to helping others win. With over four decades of professional experience, Ed’s extensive background in business and law have made him one of the nation’s most sought-after experts in law practice management. He is the first recipient of the California State Bar (LPMT Section) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
Ed regularly shares his insights with attorneys across the United States by coaching, consulting, presenting popular workshops, creating practical DVDs and CDs and by contributing to legal publications throughout the country.
A native of Chicago, IL, Ed graduated from the UCLA School of Law and received an MBA from USC. He served as VP and General Counsel for his family business, Fairfax Food Corporation, where he grew revenue at more than 10% per year and renegotiated bank credit lines to enable the company to double its farm produce intake. Ed practiced law for 25 years as in-house counsel, government prosecutor, sole practitioner, and partner in a small law firm. He was also the chief operating office for a mid-size law firm in the greater Los Angeles region.
Since 1990, Ed has owned and operated LawBiz® Management, a Venice, CA-based firm that collaborates with lawyers to increase their revenue and net profits, and reduce their stress. He coaches and consults attorneys throughout the country in the areas of starting and operating a law practice, strategic planning, profitability analysis, and practice development.
Apart from maintaining his popular blog, www.LawBizBlog.com and creating www.LawBizForum.com, Ed is a syndicated columnist and regular contributor for Lawyers Weekly, Law Practice Today (ABA), Canadian Bar Association, California Lawyer, The Bottom Line (State Bar of California), and other renowned publications.
He has authored and produced an entire catalogue of books and practical guides concerning The Business of Law. His most recent book, Growing Your Practice in Tough Times (West Pub, 2010), responds to the concerns lawyers face following the financial crisis of 2008-2010. He is a sought-after speaker by Bar Associations across the country, and has created more than 30 teleseminars for WestLegalEdcenter, as well as published a variety of CDs and DVDs, the most recent being 8 Steps to Greater Profitability: The Lawyer’s Path to Prosperity.
Ed is also in demand for advice by vendors to the legal community. He has served as an Advisory Board member for the LexisNexis® Firm Manager®, law management software product and he has been called as an expert witness in law firm management in the Trial Court of the State Bar of California, and appointed as a Trustee of law firms convicted of disciplinary violations. He currently facilitates Managing Partners Roundtables for some of the largest law firms in the country.
Ed is a Fellow, College of Law Practice Management®, Board Certified Coach to the Legal Profession in the Society for the Advancement of Consulting (SAC), and a charter member of the Million Dollar Consulting® Hall of Fame. He and his wife Paula reside in Venice, CA. In their spare time, they like to travel in their restored Airstream trailer. Ed is also an avid cyclist.
