*This Law Society Skillnet discount is applicable to all practising solicitors working in 
the private sector. The standard fee for this course is €2,350

Registration for this Diploma is open until 25 April 2024. You must complete all the online lectures and knowledge checks before the in-person workshop on 8 May, so please keep this in mind when you register and give yourself ample time to complete the online elements before 8 May

For detailed information on modules, lecturers and assignments download the brochure

For dates, please download the timetable

Aim and Objectives
The aim of this Diploma is to equip participants with the practical knowledge and skills to enable them to understand every aspect of the establishment and operational management of a legal firm in Ireland from a business, human resources, and financial management perspective. Particular emphasis is placed on delivering training which will equip learners with the skills, knowledge, and competencies to work towards the achievement of industry approved practice and risk management standards, in particular the Legal Services Excellence Standard offered by the Law Society of Ireland and assessed by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

This Diploma is accredited by the Law Society of Ireland Diploma Centre.

Target Audience
This Diploma is aimed at all professionals working or intending to work in a management role in a law firm in Ireland. It is particularly relevant to sole principals, managing partners, solicitors with management responsibilities and staff members with responsibility for strategic, operational, human resources, risk, marketing and financial management. It is also appropriate for those intending to establish or acquire a law firm.

High-level Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this Diploma, learners will:

• Understand the law, guidelines, and commercial realities of establishing and managing a legal firm in Ireland
• Have the skills necessary to comply with management, marketing, communications, human resources (HR), risk management and financial theory and best practice as they pertain to managing a legal practice in Ireland
• Appreciate the importance of workplace policies and procedures
• Understand legal firms’ taxation obligations
• Be able to design, develop and apply policies and procedures relevant to best practice in managing a legal practice
• Be able to apply learning to managing staff, clients, and service providers
• Understand the principles and legislation underpinning the operation of a law firm in Ireland including employment law, intellectual property, data protection, anti-money laundering, solicitors’ accounts regulation and Law Society best practice and guidelines
• Have the skills necessary to communicate more effectively with clients, colleagues, and staff
• Acquire the knowledge, competency, and skills to work towards achieving approved legal practice and risk management standards including the Legal Services Excellence Standard offered by the Law Society of Ireland

Dates 2024
In-person (attendance is mandatory) dates are expected to be 8 May, 26 June, 2 October and 30 October, 2.00pm – 5.00pm each day. All other lectures and workshops are available to watch on-demand or to play back. Final assignment to be submitted by 18 December 2024. 

Overview of modules 

Module 1:  Innovative Business Planning, Development and Continuity
Lecture 1: The Legal Practice Foundation
Lecture 2: Driving Strategic Business Growth: Business Plan – Articulating Guiding Principles
Lecture 3: Driving Strategic Business Growth: Setting Motivating Ambitions
Lecture 4: Driving Strategic Business Growth: Defining your Growth Opportunities
Lecture 5: Driving Strategic Business Growth: Designing your Competitive Strategy
Lecture 6: Driving Strategic Business Growth: Driving Demand
Lecture 7: Driving Strategic Business Growth: Growth Plan – Making it happen
Lecture 8: Suite of Social Media and Website courses
Lecture 9: Legal Services, Solicitor Practice, Business Plan Necessities

Module 2: Financial Planning, Management and Regulation Compliance 
Lecture 11: The Legal Practice Foundation
Lecture 12: Setting up in Practice
Lecture 13: In Practice
Lecture 14: Annual Financial Review
Lecture 15: Bills, Adjudication Complaints, Anti-Money Laundering, Current issues

Module 3: Operational Practice & Risk Management, Infrastructure
Lecture 16: Managing Client Files
Lecture 17: Guide to good professional conduct
Lecture 18: Regulatory Background
Lecture 19: Cybersecurity
Lecture 20: Credit Control and risk assessment policies and registers
Lecture 21: Data Protection
Lecture 22: Anti-money Laundering

Module 4: Information Technology, Competence and Knowledge Management
Lecture 23: IT Skills Training
Lecture 24: Continuing Professional Development
Lecture 25: Knowledge Management

Programme Team 
Brian McMullin, Brian J McMullin Solicitors
Caroline Kennedy, Law Society of Ireland
Celine Kelly, A&L Goodbody
Derek Owens, Law Society of Ireland
Eamonn Maguire, Law Society of Ireland
Emma-Jane Williams, Law Society of Ireland
Fergal Mawe, Solicitor
Fiona Fitzpatrick, Fiona Fitz Consulting Ltd
Fiona Stanley, Law Society of Ireland
John Elliot, formerly Law Society of Ireland
Justine Carty, Tailte Éireann
Kate Colleary, Pembroke Privacy
Laurie Grace, Grace Solicitors LLP
Mairead O’Sullivan, Law Society of Ireland
Mike O’Reilly, Accountant, O’Reilly Business Services
Pat Mullins, O’Flynn Exhams LLS Solicitors
Sinead Kelly, William Fry
Valerie Peart, Pearts Solicitors and Town Agents

IMPORTANT

• Your attendance and time spent on the online elements of this course are tracked and logged for CPD compliance purposes. Fast forwarding or skipping through the videos is visible from this tracking. This information will be shared with the Law Society CPD Scheme at their request. Each online course must be completed in full to avail of the CPD hours on offer – a partially completed course will not qualify for any CPD accreditation.
• Please see www.lawsociety.ie/Solicitors/rules-legislation/CPD-Scheme for the CPD hours required to be fulfilled in any given year
• View our Privacy Statement
• View Skillnet Ireland's trainee privacy statement
• Please see summarised brochure
• For detailed information on modules, lecturers and assignments download the brochure
• If you have additional queries, contact the Law Society Skillnet team on lawsocietyskillnet@lawsociety.ie