Marathon news

Marathon news - well, I finished it but not as I wanted - my target time was 3.30-3.40; but after a good first half when there were 11,000 people doing the half marathon - and therefore perhaps I ran too fast, was sub 3.30 pace - I then started getting cramp, the temperatures rose, and I kept having to walk stretches which is never the plan. Finishing time was 4 hours 14.37 - 655th out of 1118 finishers, apparently. Figures raised to date are now over £5000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research

Case management software

We are nearing full implememtation of software from Linetime http://linetime.co.uk - not a painless experience, abut we believe any such major implementation is really hard work and you need to devote the resources. We think we have and will get a lot out of it - in terms of looking after our clients better. The message for our own people is that it's about better service, not about turning service into process.

Challenge of managing a law firm...

It's a challenge - as lawyers we like to be dealing with clients, giving our best advice, getting the deal done - but if you are also managing the firm, ultimately responsible for its success, you need to be looking also at how it's run, the management of the business, marketing - all things we were not brought up to do. There is benefit in keeping the client work, because it gives you credibility as a lawyer - especially if you have a "niche" for which you are known - but your value to the business cna be multiplied by looking beyond the file on your desk. The Law Society's Law Management section is a useful resource. http://www.lms.lawsociety.org.uk