In this episode of ALA's Meeting the Moment series, Professional Development Advisory Committee members Matthew Sullivan, JD, and Catherine Alman MacDonagh, JD, discuss one of their favorite topics: running a law firm like a business. Learn about why it's so important for firms to shift their mindset about how they operate and the resources ALA provides to help administrators do just that.

Poring over contracts with cybersecurity providers may not be the most glamorous part of an administrator's job, but it's an important (and necessary) way to ensure your firm is getting the peace of mind it needs. Rob Scott, Co-Founder and Chief Innovator of Monjur, joins the show to break down what firms should be looking for when signing with a cybersecurity service, what pitfalls to avoid and how to practice "cyber hygiene" in your contracting.

With all the information law firms take in every day, it can be difficult to keep track of the numbers, who's communicating with whom and much more. Mike Mellor, Founder and President of 742 Advisors, joined the show to discuss how firms can improve their information-gathering processes, which will in turn help attorneys when it's time to pitch clients. One key is creating a centralized database to reduce having to log the same info again and again, but that's not all!

It's no secret that the legal industry is stressful, and that can often translate into burnout and other negative impacts on mental health. But why does it have to be that way? Attorney Jonathan Baum, Founder of Avenir Guild, offers his insight on how the industry can work to mitigate some of those stressors, including reassessing billable hour requirements, setting firmer boundaries and more.

Making sure your firm's lateral integration process is solid can be a key way to win the battle for top talent. Craig Budner, Chief Strategic Growth Partner at K&L Gates, joins the program to talk about the lessons he's learned from managing lateral hires. From cross-selling to succession planning, the lateral integration process should play a role in your firm's innovation and growth. Plus, we talk a little "inside baseball" in honor of the World Series, which was happening during the episode's recording.

It’s not too often when we get a chance to hear from both ALA’s President, Amanda Koplos, CLM, CPA, and Executive Director, Eryn Carter, CAE, in the same room at the same time. In this episode, Amanda and Eryn take the opportunity to discuss how ALA is meeting the moment when it comes to hiring struggles in the legal industry. Gather some ideas about how to address some of the latest hiring trends and learn about the resources ALA provides to help you.