Staffing Audits help to improve corporate legal department performance by examining the legal department’s allocations of key staff resources and, based on the “highest and best use” principle, to refocus the energies of the professionals involved in order to maximize efficiency and productivity and, ultimately, to enhance the value of the legal department.

At the most basic level, a staffing audit is a relatively inexpensive means of gathering important departmental information. This information can be used to identify possible underlying causes of behavior patterns or inefficiencies, to determine if and how the use of legal staff and other resources can be improved, and to provide for more effective planning and staff utilization going forward. By undertaking a well-designed staff audit, management also announces its interest in identifying and responding to departmental needs and concerns. Accordingly, staffing audits can also serve as a means of improving communication between management and staff. Staffing audits can also address issues relating to existing and potential processes and procedures to determine if greater efficiencies are readily available through a redirection of departmental resources.

Staffing Audits begin with interviews at the management level to determine departmental objectives and critical audit elements. After these initial meetings, we review departmental information already available. We then conduct intensive confidential interviews with key personnel at every level. Audit results are compiled in a written report that summarizes key observations and include options and alternatives relating to staffing issues, allocation of responsibilities, and processes and procedures utilized. Staffing Audits are customized for the legal department and staff involved.

Pricing is quoted after initial discussions to determine the scope of the Staffing Audit.