Law firms operate as businesses. They too find the need to create organizational hierarchies and draft them in a tangible way in the form of organizational charts. From name partners that serve as the top executive to interns and paralegals who help with research and draftings, a well-organized firm becomes more efficient in its work. With this, our website will gladly help you create your Law Firm Organizational Chart to show your employees, at a glance, how your firm works. Simply download the editable template in Apple Pages format and fill in the necessary information as needed. Sign up to gain access to our documents now.
How to Make a Law Firm Organizational Chart
Much like any other business, a law firm organizational chart should show the roles and functions of its employees. What makes it a bit more complicated, however, is how the law works: departments clearly defined, yet somehow interconnected. It can be confusing whom to report depending on the cases the associates are assigned to, which is why it is imperative that your firm makes your organizational hierarchy clear.
1. Clearly Define Departments
The law is subdivided into multiple areas, and unlike businesses where employees have a direct supervisor to report to, law firms work differently by assigning interns to different associates on a rotating basis, or at their discretion. To avoid confusion, make sure that all departments and subspecialty areas are clearly defined in the workplace.
2. Focus on Leadership and Accountability
Most law firms build their leadership through seniority, making it unclear who manages whom. However, there are firms that prefer management by committee, which seems like a good idea but could delay the decision-making process. A lack of leadership in the firm creates confusion for the staff, which is why a more vertical leadership structure creates a more streamlined firm.
3. Don’t Forget the Supporting Departments
While it is easy to think that law firms are filled with lawyers, associates, interns, and paralegals, don’t forget that there are other functions that need to be addressed, such as marketing, accounting and finance, IT, and even human resources.
4. Plot Your Organizational Chart Accordingly
Because of the complicated workings in a law firm, make sure that you have a specific structure to follow in your organizational chart. This could simply be by departments, by delivery of legal services, or by leadership and accountability. By choosing one structure, you can avoid a lot of confusion in plotting the organizational structure of your firm.