18.5. Stepping Up foundation for. practising on own account CPD HRS TRAINING PROGRAMME. Development funded by

Transcription

1 18.5 CPD HRS TRAINING PROGRAMME Stepping Up foundation for practising on own account 2015 Development funded by

2 Stepping Up - foundation for practising on own account The New Zealand Law Society is grateful to the New Zealand Law Foundation for funding the design and development of this course. All lawyers wishing to practise on their own account whether alone or in partnership or in an incorporated practice will be required to complete the course. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Stepping Up is a major building block in the Society s competence and professional development programme. You will: be better able to run the business of a law practice be qualified to assume responsibility for the obligations of the practice understand and be able to more confidently apply the relevant Rules of Conduct and Client Care understand the principles and rules of trust accounting. Of course, those lawyers who wish to practise on their own and run a trust account will also have to complete the Trust Account Supervisors course. Completing the course MATERIALS The booklet and the workfolder will be couriered to registrants. These materials will be available approximately three months before each workshop begins. COMPLETING THE COURSE The course will comprise: Modular, self-directed, distance learning tasks Preparation work for the three-day workshop A declaration Attendance at the three-day workshop Some assessment. The learning modules include background information, examples, practice exercises and questions, preparatory work for the workshop, and the workshop materials. You must work through each module at your own pace reading, and then answering questions and/or carrying out practice exercises as required. As a guide, we estimate

3 that reading, completing the written work and the preparatory work for the workshop will take hours. All your written work for each module must be filed in the relevant tab of the workfolder and be available for inspection at the workshop. DECLARATION Before participants attend the workshop, they will be required to have filed a declaration that they have completed all background reading and pre-course work to the required standard. ASSESSMENT The course assessment will be based on: a written assessment on trust accounting active participation in all workshop sessions. In the event of failure of any assessed part of the course, there is a process for reassessment. The modules The course will include modules on: Leadership what it means and why it is important how to be a team leader Business planning how to make a plan carrying it out Marketing attracting clients and increasing billings creating a marketing plan The people dimension motivating and retaining staff delegating and supervising managing staff performance handling the special stress of being a lawyer on your own account

4 Financial management understanding the concepts of profit, cash flow, working capital and lock up understanding financial statements applying financial processes - budgeting, keeping records, monitoring progress, meeting statutory obligations etc how to survive the first three months Professional conduct complying with the Act, Regulations and Rules of Conduct and Client Care dealing with clients, other members of the profession, and members of the public conflicts of interest, trust-based issues and undertakings File management how to manage your clients and their instructions costing Risk management loss prevention personal indemnity insurance and handling claims Managing clients funds the fundamentals of trust accounting responsibilities of partners who are not Trust Account Supervisors detecting and dealing with fraud. NOTE: In the background booklet there will be a chapter on how to manage the practical aspects of running an office, for example managing the physical assets, client files, administration systems and technology. There will also be concurrent workshop sessions for those intending to practise as: a barrister sole a sole practitioner or a partner/director in a two partner firm a partner/director in a firm of three or more partners. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION Stepping Up candidates for practice on own account will be required to give NZLS CLE Ltd and the Course Director written authority to disclose to the New Zealand Law Society anything they consider relevant to the candidate s application to practise on own account.

5 Course director JOHN MACKINTOSH, CONSULTANT, CHRISTCHURCH After practising law for many years, John now specializes in energizing and developing professional firms. Long interested in legal education and practice management, John has been the Chair of the NZLS Practice Management Committee, a member of the NZLS CLE Committee and presented numerous seminars for the Society. See Presenters CHRISTOPHER BRAY, CHRISTOPHER BRAY LTD, WELLINGTON Chris helps enterprises develop growth strategies. He launched his consultancy in Previously, his career had been in marketing, sales and general management including CEO and Managing Director in the media and marketing services industries in New Zealand and Australia. See MURRAY FULTON, SAVANTE CONSULTING LTD, AUCKLAND Murray was CEO of Hesketh Henry from 2000 to 2005, and during that time transformed the market perception and financial performance of that firm. Since 2005, he has been self-employed, assisting law firms and commercial clients to improve financial and commercial performance, and levels of market engagement. IRENE JOYCE, PROFESSIONAL EDGE, AUCKLAND Irene has specialised in consulting to professional firms for over 18 years. She has an in-depth understanding of how professional firms operate. Prior to setting up her consulting practice, Irene held positions as National Training Manager at Russell McVeagh, and Human Resources Manager at Arthur Andersen. See DAVID LITTLEFAIR, NZLS INSPECTOR, CHRISTCHURCH David is a chartered accountant and a member of both the UK and NZ societies of accountants. He worked for the NZLS Inspectorate from 1998 to 2003 covering the Canterbury/ Westland/Marlborough regions and then left to work in the business sector. He returned to the inspectorate in February David is a presenter for the NZLS CLE Trust Account Administrator and Trust Account Supervisor courses.

6 Presenters RONWYN NORTH, MANAGING DIRECTOR, STREETON CONSULTING, SYDNEY Ronwyn moved into consulting and education after running her own law firm. Her special interests are risk management, professionalism in practice, and everything else you can t learn at law school about being a good lawyer. Her current clients include leading law firms, professional indemnity insurers and providers of continuing legal education in Australia and New Zealand. DR DUNCAN WEBB, LANE NEAVE, CHRISTCHURCH Duncan was closely involved in the preparation of the new Rules of Professional Conduct and Client Care. He was formerly a professor of law at Canterbury University and is the author of Ethics, Professional Responsibility and the Lawyer. Between 2008 and 2010 Duncan was the Legal Complaints Review Officer. He is now a partner at Lane Neave specialising in professional liability and discipline. Kim Burkhart, Kennedys, Auckland, Tim Clarke, Bell Gully, Auckland, Dr Rosemary Howell, Strategic Action Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Clayton Kimpton, Kensington Swan, Wellington, Denise Kramer, Gibson Sheat, Lower Hutt and Wellington and Dr Regena Mitchell, Mitchell Boock Associates Ltd, Auckland have contributed to the written materials. Local practitioners will be guest panelists in the concurrent workshops. NOTE: NZLS CLE may change the presenters as circumstances require. THE NEXT STEP Stepping Up is the first step in the process towards qualifying to practise on your own account. From 1 October 2012, if you do not commence practice on own account within two years from the date you completed Stepping Up, the qualification lapses. When you intend to practise on your own account you should make a formal application to your local NZLS branch. The relevant form is available on the NZLS website (enter practice on own account into the search box). It is recommended that you apply at least three months before you intend to start practising on your own account. This is to allow time for your name to be advertised to the profession, for you to attend an interview (if required) and for reference checks to be made.

7 Course information TIME Thursday Friday Saturday 9.00am to 6.00pm 8.30am to 6.00pm 8.15am to 1.30pm ACCOMMODATION Auckland Waipuna Hotel To book online at enter booking code NZLS2502 in box on right side of home page and click book now (Please note that the rooms are only held until 31 days prior to the course date.) Wellington Ibis Wellington, 153 Featherston Street Tel or Christchurch Copthorne Commodore Hotel Christchurch Airport To book, telephone FEES (INCL GST) Stepping Up Programme 2015 see registration form Reassessment of any part $110 Reconsideration of any part $65 Fee includes materials (booklet and workfolder), and catering on all three days. Accommodation is not included. CANCELLATION If we receive your cancellation at least 15 working days before the workshop begins and we can fill your place at the workshop, and you return your course materials in new condition, the refund is $880. If we are unable to fill your place or if the cancellation is made less than 15 working days before the workshop begins, there will be no refund. CLOSING DATE There is no closing date for registrations but candidates must register to allow enough time to receive the materials and be able to complete the pre-course reading and written work, and the workshop preparation (estimated to be hours) in order to file a declaration before the workshop commences. LIMITED NUMBERS NOTE: The five courses per year are arranged to cater for demand well in excess of historical patterns. However, there is no guarantee of acceptance in any particular session. Numbers will be limited in each session. Register early.

8 PLEASE REGISTER ME FOR: Stepping Up - foundation for practising on own account Centre 2015 dates Venue Auckland February Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre Christchurch 7 9 May Copthorne Commodore Airport Hotel Auckland July Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre Wellington 3 5 September NZICA Conference Centre Auckland November Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre TITLE (PLEASE PRINT) FIRST NAME LAST NAME FIRM / ORGANISATION STREET ADDRESS (TO COURIER MATERIALS) PO BOX DX TOWN / CITY POSTCODE PHONE FAX Please indicate on what basis you intend practising on own account: Barrister sole Sole practitioner or a partner/director in a two partner firm Partner/director in a firm of three or more partners FEE (INCL GST) $1,400 Auckland 1 (February) and Christchurch (May) $1,560 Auckland 2, Wellington and Auckland 3 I attach a cheque made payable to the NZLS CLE Ltd Please debit my credit card account Mastercard Visa Amex CARD NUMBER EXPIRY DATE CARD SECURITY CODE NAME ON CARD SIGNATURE OF CARDHOLDER SEND TO: NZLS CLE Ltd, PO Box 5041, Wellington 6145, DX SP20202 or Fax INQUIRIES Jane Battersby, NZLS CLE Ltd or jane.battersby@lawyerseducation.co.nz PRIVACY ACT 1993 The information requested on this registration form is for NZLS CLE Ltd use only. +