in Partnership with

This event has limited seating and initially offered to New Members less than 3 years in an Administrator, Office Manager or Director position.

Sponsors:

Session Topic:

Introduction to Law Firm Operations (CLE & Social)

We all know attorneys would prefer to practice law and represent their clients’ interests to solve their legal challenges.  But how do you navigate the voluminous operational commitments that allows you, the Principal Owner or Manager, of a law firm to focus on practicing law?  To properly manage a law office, the basic areas of core competencies include people, equipment, space and technology.  In its simplest forms, we are talking about office leasing, human resources, information technology and the contracts and vendor management that comprise these functional areas of management and everything else in between.  This introduction and guided discussion will provide the areas of focus needed to not only manage a solo practice but also provide insights for those already embroiled with operating small and mid-size law firms.

Speakers:
David Carrigee, Special Partner, Pugh Accardo LLC
Scott DeRouen, Administrator, Pugh Accardo LLC

David Carrigee is a Special Partner with Pugh Accardo.  Dave started his legal career in 1976 with the maritime law firm of Burke & Mayer, where he served as the managing partner from 1990 to 2007.   In 2007, the firm of Burke & Mayer merged with the firm of Baldwin Haspel, and Dave served as an initial member on the 3-member management committee. When the law firm of Baldwin Haspel Burke & Mayer closed its doors in 2022, Dave was asked to join, and is presently a special partner with, the law firm of Pugh-Accardo.

In addition to his full-time job of “herding cats,” for last forty plus years, Dave practiced primarily in the area of Maritime Law, including the offshore and onshore oil and gas industry.  In the 1990’s, he also defended a substantial number of class actions involving chemical releases at various local refineries, as well as representing The Dow Chemical Company in the national breast implant class action filed and tried in the Civil District Court for Orleans Parish.    For the last 25 years of his practice, Dave has devoted most of his practice to defending vessel owners in Jones Act Litigation and representing insurers and insureds in complex Marine Insurance matters.

Scott DeRouen is the Administrator with Pugh Accardo.  Scott served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 26 years and retired in 2014 and returned to New Orleans to continue his legal career.  His experience includes court stenographer, case manager, paralegal, Director of Legal Training & Management, and Law Office Manager and Administrator.  Scott works closely with the managing partner and the partnership team to execute all facets of Operations and to develop and implement short-term goals and long-term strategic plans. Scott has extensive experience in operations, human resources and financial management, law firm accounting and billing, and strategic planning. He plays a leading role in directing and driving the execution of the Firm’s operational objectives and business functions.  Scott earned his B.S. Business Management and Accounting from Park University and he is a member of the National Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) and currently the Past President of the New Orleans Chapter of the ALA.

CLM CREDIT

CLM^®Application Credit: 1 hour of Organizational Development

CLM^® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)

CLM^® Recertification Credit: 1 hour in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)