University Style Training For Law FirmsFor Law Firms

Is A University Program The Answer For You?y g

Issues Confronting Our Firm gBefore PBU

• Poor class attendance• Lack of interest in training• Lack of interest in training • An inconsistent level of knowledge• Leveraging the firm’s technology

investmentinvestmentA University Style Training Program Was Our Answer

University Style TrainingUniversity Style Training• Patton Boggs University (PBU)gg y ( )

– Overview– ClassesC asses– Challenges– Training StaffTraining Staff

• Will This Type of Program Work For You?Thi t id– Things to consider

– Steps to takeA U i it St l T i i P M B Th AA University Style Training Program May Be The Answer

Patton Boggs UniversityPatton Boggs University

Mandatory Training and Optional Certification Program

O iOverview

Benefits to the Secretary

• More Efficient

Benefits to the Secretary

More Efficient• Less Stress• Better Attorney/Secretary Relationships• Better Attorney/Secretary Relationships• Better Relationships with Secretarial Team• Training that may be applicable in other areas• Training that may be applicable in other areas• No cost to the secretary

The option of receiving a monetary bonus• The option of receiving a monetary bonus

Benefits to the Firm

• More Efficient Secretaries

Benefits to the Firm

• More Efficient Secretaries• Improved Interaction between

Teams and Practice GroupsTeams and Practice Groups• Better Client Service

– Ability to better communicate and meet the needs of the clientHighe le el of p ofessionalism and– Higher level of professionalism and better reputation

Mandatory TrainingFor Secretaries

• BasicP fi i t• Proficient

• Expertp• Continuing Education

Basic Level• Year 1 of the Program• Based on skills every secretary should

Basic Level

• Based on skills every secretary should possess in a legal environment

• Technical and Non Technical Classes• Technical and Non-Technical Classes• Mandatory and Optional Classes

Classes Include:• Classes Include:– Mail Merge– Table of Contents– Table of Contents– Table of Authorities– Ethics in the Legal Environmentg

Proficient Level

• Year 2 of the Program

Proficient Level

• Year 2 of the Program• Expands training to include Excel and

PowerPoint• Includes mandatory and optional• Includes mandatory and optional

classes, technical and non-technical

Expert LevelExpert Level

• The third year of the program• Advanced classes in Excel andAdvanced classes in Excel and

PowerPoint • Introduction to Access• Introduction to Access • Mandatory and optional classes

Continuing EducationContinuing Education• Continued mandatory training after the y g

first three year structured program • Ten hours of training during each year• Ten hours of training during each year

beginning with year four• Choice of various training classes and

topics – both technical and non-technicaltopics both technical and non technical

Secretarial CertificationSecretarial Certification

• Optional• Optional• Tests based on class material

M t 85% t hi tifi ti• Must score 85% to achieve certification• Each certification is a prerequisite for the next• Secretaries achieving Proficient and Expert

certification will receive a $1000 bonus per $ pcertification

• No monetary bonus for Basic certification• No monetary bonus for Basic certification

Testing OutTesting Out

• Secretaries can be considered exemptSecretaries can be considered exempt from a particular level of training by taking the certification exam andtaking the certification exam and scoring 90% or above

• Secretaries have one opportunity to test out

PBU f P l l

Launched in November 2003

PBU for Paralegals

• Launched in November 2003• Ten hour training requirement • Technology-related classes• Non-technical classes• Non technical classes• Job-related Training

Paralegal CertificationParalegal Certification

• Paralegal certification is a job-based track program

• Paralegals have the option to become certified in a particular track and obtain a

t bmonetary bonus• The monetary bonus is based on the

b f h f l i thnumber of hours of classes in the particular track

PBU for Staff

L h d i J 2005• Launched in January 2005• Ten hour training requirement g q• Technology-related classes• Non technical classes• Non-technical classes• Job-related Training

Staff Certification• No staff specific certification

currently developed• Staff members have the option of

becoming certified at the Secretarialbecoming certified at the Secretarial or Paralegal level

Other Opportunities to Fulfill PBU Requirements

E t l J b R l t d Cl• External Job-Related Classes– Must be pre-approved– Credit determined on a case by case basis

• Course Training and DevelopmentCourse Training and Development

Expanding the ProgramExpanding the Program

• PBU for Attorneys• PBU for ManagersPBU for Managers

ChallengesChallenges

• New hires already have much of• New hires already have much of the basic knowledge

• People who have been in the program for• People who have been in the program for 8 years have taken all the offered classesWh d th l k l d• When users need the class knowledge, many times they have forgotten

• Training attorneys• Measuring the Return on Investmentg

ClassesClasses

• Approximately 60 Technical Classes

• Approximately 50 Non-TechnicalClassesClasses

Technical StaffingTechnical Staffing

• 5 Training Support Specialists in DC• One Training Support Specialist inOne Training Support Specialist in

each of our regional offices (except Doha and Alaska)Doha and Alaska)

• The Denver Trainer also supports our Anchorage office

Non-Technical StaffingNon-Technical Staffing

• The Director trains• One full-time TrainerOne full time Trainer• One part-time Trainer• Outside Vendors• Staff Instructed ClassesStaff Instructed Classes

Implementing A Similar Program At Your Firm

• Partner with your HR and Non-Technical Training Departmentsg p

• Decide on a program to fit the needs of your firmneeds of your firm

• Prepare your proposal• Implement your program

Partner with the other Partner with the other Relevant Departments

• HR, IT and non-technical trainers must collaborate on all aspects of thecollaborate on all aspects of the program– Policies and Procedures– Classes– Documentation– Your proposal

• Continue to work together after i l t tiimplementation

The Needs of Your FirmThe Needs of Your Firm

• Mandatory or Optional?• Certification?• An open or closed program?• Bonus Structure?• Bonus Structure?• Testing?

Prepare your Proposal Prepare your Proposal

• Training Departments (technical and non-technical) and HR must work together

• Explain the benefits to the firmp• Buy in from Management is a necessity!

ImplementationImplementation

H ll li i i l• Have all policies in place• Marketing, Marketing, Marketing!!!!g, g, g• Have ALL the Answers• Recruit a few cheerleaders• Recruit a few cheerleaders• Continue to work with HR and non-

t h i l t ff t it dtechnical staff to monitor and improve your program

Education is not filling a bucketEducation is not filling a bucket,but lighting a fire.

- William Yeats