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Michael Steiner, CLM
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Summary of qualifications
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Extensive experience in law firm management providing business, administrative financial, technological and human resource expertise.
Consistent record of increasing profitability, reducing costs, and improving productivity.
Interpersonal and cross-cultural skills to facilitate interaction within an organization.
Effective presenter and persuasive writer.
Team leader who builds consensus and fosters cooperation among team members.
Achieve results through willingness to research alternatives and modify approach.
Effective legislative advocacy.
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Functional summary
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Management
§ Overall business and administrative management including strategic, financial, accounting, personnel, facilities, and technological systems.
§ Coordinate administrative activities in single and multi-office environments.
§ Direct Executive Committee and Shareholder meetings setting agenda items, facilitating discussion, and implementing outcomes.
§ Analyze industry trends, prepare and present strategic initiatives.
§ Select and install new management teams in all key functional areas.
§ Revitalize firm infrastructure implementing new computers, telephones, photocopy and facsimile technologies resulting in increased efficiency and decreased costs.
§ Prepare, analyze and present financial reports to Partners/Stakeholders/Board members including special analyses of profitability.
§ Management of all accounting and financial functions including client trust accounts, G/L, A/P, A/R, payroll, tax preparation, and staff supervision.
§ Direct trade association with volunteer Board of Directors.
§ Implementation of strategic plan for union labor/management joint coalition.
§ Advocate change through the passage of state legislation to benefit trade group.
Legal Industry
§ Work with various law firms to improve operations and bottom line effectiveness.
§ Develop strategic planning initiatives to revitalize internal practice groups.
§ Audit work-flow policies and processes to maximize communication and efficiency.
§ Implement new Shareholder agreements and update all corporate records.
§ Plan, prepare, and lead annual Shareholder (Partner) Retreat meetings.
§ Manage all aspects of Lawyers' Professional Liability insurance including applications, renewals and claims.
§ Prepare matrix calculations for industry peer group comparison.
§ Lead and direct all departmental functions within the law firm.
§ Create Electronic Data Discovery (EDD) practice group providing training for attorneys and pro-active guidance for clients.
§ Install a "rules-based" calendar and docket system and other technology based programs to increase efficiencies.
§ Manage libraries negotiating with vendors for on-line and print reductions.
Financial Management
§ Implement zero-based budgeting and recession proofing practices.
§ Prepare, analyze and present financial statements and management reports to Shareholders detailing trends, variances, firm profitability, employee productivity, client satisfaction and the overall state of the company.
§ Consistent record of increasing profitability through improved attorney realization rates and cost savings.
§ Implement new banking, legal, accounting and technology relationships to provide better service to the Firm and its Shareholders.
§ Restructure long-term debt, reduce interest expense, and negotiate revolving credit lines for operational and capital requirements.
§ Install computerized cash management system to invest overnight funds increasing interest income ten-fold.
§ Reduce Accounts Receivable over 28% by revamping collection policies, procedures and techniques.
§ Conduct monthly management review of cash forecasts, operational budgets and financial position.
Human Resources/Insurance
§ Oversee Human Resource department functions to set policy, create employee manuals, hire, terminate and train.
§ Review, revise and issue new employee and associate handbooks to adhere to applicable local, State and Federal laws.
§ Implement new health, dental, vision, and EAP coverages.
§ Update Partner level insurance benefits, increasing limits and proposing Long Term Care (LTC) coverage, to better match Partner needs.
§ Implement Employment Practices Liability (EPL) coverage.
§ Revise and renew all business related insurance coverages from E&O to Business Comprehensive resulting in better coverage with reduced premiums.
§ Create and restate Employee and Associate 401(k) plans to conform with Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.
Technology
§ Audit existing technology systems to enhance user functionality and productivity.
§ Develop and implement document storage, retention and destruction policies.
§ Plan, manage and implement technology upgrades to current software versions.
§ Research and implement Document Management (DMS) and E-Mail Management System (EMS) to combat exponential growth and provide improved collaborative storage and communication solutions.
§ Implement technologies to update and enhance communications through improved WAN, Telephony, Video and PDA systems.
§ Research, select and implement computerized accounting/billing systems with integrated software applications.
§ Select outside Technology Partner to provide wide level expertise while lowering personnel and operational costs.
§ Implement cost recovery system to capture printing, copying and scanning expenses. System pay-back in less than three months.
Facilities
§ Management of leased office space in Los Angeles, Hawaii, Guam and Saipan.
§ Lead 30,000 sq ft office renewal/relocation project including broker selection, building search, RFP's, lease negotiation and finalization.
§ Chair team of architects and Partners to design and develop office space plan, selecting concept and materials for office remodel.
§ Liaison with building management, construction teams and employees to facilitate 30,000 square foot build-out in 8 weeks.
§ Renew leases in Los Angeles (21,350 and 30,000 sq ft) and Guam (7,950) including "free" rents and Tenant Improvement Allowances.
§ Sublet entire floor of warehoused space to 22 separate tenants, negotiating, writing and implementing leases resulting in $500,000 cash increase.
§ Overall management of leased space including general maintenance, repairs, improvements, office moves and building communication.
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Employment
Principal, Steiner & Associates, Kailua, HI 2008 -
Executive Director, Clay Chapman Iwamura
Pulice & Nervell, Honolulu, HI 2011 -
Executive Director, Carlsmith Ball LLP, Honolulu, HI 2006 - 2008
Executive Director, Frandzel Robins Bloom & Csato, L.C.
Los Angeles, CA 1999 - 2006
Controller, Reish & Luftman, APC, Los Angeles, CA 1994 - 1999
Controller, Dickson, Carlson & Campillo, Santa Monica, CA 1988 - 1994
Accounting Manager, Law Offices of Tuverson & Hillyard
Los Angeles, CA 1985 - 1988
Office Manager, Fred Joaillier, Inc, Beverly Hills, CA and
New York, NY 1982 - 1985
Owner, The Village Cobbler, Inc, Westwood Village, CA 1972 - 1982
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Education
University of Redlands Redlands, CA
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Management
* Summa Cum Laude, 4.0 Grade Point Average
* Whitehead Leadership Society
Association of Legal Administrators Lincolnshire, IL
Certified Legal Manager (CLMSM)
* Certification received 2004; Recertification valid through 2013
* Information found at www.alanet.org/clm
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Speaking Engagements
Hawaii State Bar Association
Think Tech Hawaii
S.C.O.R.E Hawaii
Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii
Association of Legal Administrators
Lawyers Marketing Association
National Business Institute
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Professional Memberships
Hawaii Chamber of Commerce 2008 – present
Hawaii Venture Capital Association 2008 – present
Think Tech Hawaii 2008 – present
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle: Appraisal-Arbitration Working Group 2010
P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Inc.
Board of Directors: Treasurer 2009 – 2012
Latin Business Hawaii
Board of Directors: Treasurer 2009
Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) 2004 – present
Greater Los Angeles Association of Legal Administrators
Board of Directors: Vice-President 2005 – 2006
Vendor Liaison Chair 2004 – 2005
Hawaii Chapter Association of Legal Administrators
Board of Directors: Vendor Chair 2006 – 2008
Volunteer Experience (recent)
Le Jardin Academy, Kailua 2006 – present
University of Hawaii Shidler College of Business, Business Plan Competition
Competition Judge 2008 – present
Competition Coach 2009 (winning team)
Competition Coach 2010
Think Tech Hawaii 2009 – present
AFS-USA Host Family 2010
Muscular Dystrophy Association of Hawaii 2006 – 2008
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