Program Description

This unique program trains and updates those interested in the varied aspects of the law office and business environment. This is a one-semester course designed to provide working professionals with management principles and concepts, functional and organizational applications, human resource management, supervisory techniques, managing financial resources and ethical responsibilities.

This comprehensive course in Law Office Management is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to perform as excellent law office managers in today's law firms, legal departments or governmental agencies and private corporations. It prepares those interested in seeking a career change in a practical fashion, to excel in the management of today's law office. Speakers and experts in this field add credibility and practicality to this program.

COURSE TOPICS: Organizational structure Human resource management Supervisory techniques in a professional setting Managing financial resources and reports Time keeping and effective billing Information systems Operating budgets and database management Legal constraints Communication and the legal profession Ethical responsibilities

About the Instructor

Grace C. Lopez has been the Office Administrator for the Miami office of the international law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP since April, 1998.  Before that she was the Law Firm Administrator for Pyszka, Douberley, Blackmon, Levy & Savola, P.A. for 18 1/2 years. She has experience in the area of Legal Management, Human Resources, Payroll Administration, Accounting, Finance, Benefits, Pension Plan Administration, Compensation, Purchasing, Diversity Training, and Operations Management.  Grace has a B.S. degree in Professional Administration from Barry University, a Human Resource Management Certificate from Barry University, and a Law Office Management Certificate from Florida International University.

Grace has been a member of the Association of Legal Administrators and the South Florida Chapter of Legal Administrators since 1993.  She has served on their board of directors for more than seven years in the capacity of President, President-Elect, Vice-President, and Director.  She currently serves as the Chair to the Charity Committee of the South Florida Chapter.  Additionally, she served three years in the Florida Bar Grievance Committee. 

Ms. Lopez has been recognized in Sterling’s Who’s Who and most recently has been recognized in the Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women. Grace has been an adjunct professor at Florida International University's Legal Studies Institute teaching the Law Office Management Certificate program since 2000.     

Application Information

Applicants are required to submit proof of formal education (H.S. minimum) or the equivalency of three years working as law office managers, or two letters of recommendations attesting as to their professional ability.