Legal practice management 2026

Practicing law is a business. Whether as a law firm owner or employee, how you manage clients’ experience with the law and your office, affects the bottom line. Basic business skills, financial management, risk management, marketing, public relations, employee relations, compliance, and business development mechanisms need to be in place to run a sound legal practice.

Join us for a four-hour course in which we will explore these topics.

When and where?

15 to 16 February 2027, 9:00 to 11:00 SAST

This course will be held remotely, most likely on Zoom. 

Course outline

The following topics will be covered:

• Practice structures and compliance:
  • Legal practice structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, private company)
  • Legal requirements and other considerations to practice (admission as attorney or advocate, registration with the legal practice council, establishing a trust account (attorneys only), fidelity fund certificate (attorneys only), practice management training (attorneys only), registration with the South African revenue service, compliance with B-BBEE regulations, insurance and risk management, business registration (for incorporated practices), legal practice name registration
• Financial management  
  • Budgeting (revenue projections, personnel costs, operating expenses, professional services, debt servicing, capital expenditure, miscellaneous expenses, contingency fund)
  • Billing (types of billing models, clear and transparent fee agreements, timekeeping and accurate billing, disbursements and expenses, regular and consistent billing, client communication, handling billing disputes, payment methods and collection, ethical billing practices)
  • Cash flow management (understanding cash flow, monitor and forecast cash flow regularly, control expenses, timely billing and invoicing, fee structures and payment plans, efficient debt collection, maintaining a cash reserve, line of credit, manage tax payments, regular cash flow audits)
• Client relationship management: understand the client’s needs and goals, be responsive and accessible, clear and consistent communication, build trust through transparency, deliver consistent results, develop a personal connection, be proactive, add value beyond legal services, leverage technology for client convenience, client feedback and improvement, manage client expectations, retain clients through consistent follow-up, focus on long-term relationships, not transactions, client-centric culture, crisis management
• Marketing and business development
  • Marketing (know your target audience, develop a professional website, utilise content marketing, leverage social media, networking and referrals, track and analyse performance, legal compliance  
  • Business development strategies (implement a business development plan, networking and relationship-building, referrals and testimonials, offer free workshops and seminars, strategic alliances and partnerships, evaluate and adjust strategies)
• Technology and innovation (legal practice management software, cloud storage and computing, data security and compliance, communication tools, e-filing and court integration, website and client engagement tools, accounting and financial tools, document automation, artificial intelligence and legal research, timekeeping and billing, client relationship management, technology for virtual legal practices, cybersecurity insurance)
• Risk management and professional responsibility (ethical compliance and professional conduct, malpractice and professional indemnity insurance, client relationship management, trust account management, client data, office infrastructure and systems, human resources and staff training, billing practices and fee disputes, regulatory and licensing compliance, crisis and reputation management
• Human resources and staff management (understand the strategic role of human resources in legal practice management, identify key South African labour law obligations affecting law firms, recruit, develop, supervise, and retain legal and support staff effectively, implement ethical, compliant, and productive workplace practices, manage performance, discipline, and workplace conflict appropriately, foster staff well-being and professional development)

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is aimed at attorneys.

Presenter

Lisa V. Thomas, a former criminal defence advocate and professional legal assistant in Durban, has a wealth of experience in both private and public law practice. Lisa earned her LLB from the University of Kwazulu-Natal (Howard College Campus), completed her pupillage, and was admitted as an advocate/barrister in 2008. A passionate advocate for humanity and ethics in the South African legal profession, Lisa is especially committed to supporting entry-level legal professionals. Lisa shares her extensive legal expertise through LinkedIn teaching posts, a mentorship and career coaching platform, and her legal academy.

How much?

R2,870 per person

Certificate

A digital certificate from UCT will be issued to those who attend the full course.

SIGN UP HERE: Legal practice management | UCT Law at Work