Suzette Welling, CLM, is the President and founder of Law Practice Edge, LLC. It has long been her passion to take the knowledge and experience she has gained over decades and create a business where small law firms and new law firm managers can benefit from her experience and abilities.
EXPERIENCE
Suzette has been managing law firms since 1996. In her most recent roles as Chief Administrative Officer of the firms she managed, Suzette oversaw the administrative operations, including finance, human resources, information technology, communications, client relations, professional development, recruiting, and facilities. She worked closely with the other members of the firms’ leadership teams to facilitate best practices and execute the firms’ operational objectives, focusing on improving efficiencies and the effectiveness of the firms’ operations and processes.
Suzette brings to Law Practice Edge and its clients a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Her career in the legal industry has spanned three decades, with twenty 25 of those years in the area of legal management. Her experience includes overseeing all aspects of Finance, Human Resources, Operations Management, Marketing, and Strategic Planning.
Suzette enjoys using the skills and knowledge she has accumulated over the past 25 years to help meet the unique needs of each law firm she consults with through fractional management services. She also enjoys helping firm managers grow in their knowledge and expertise through her online courses as well as providing one-on-one training. She is excited to have put together a team of other experienced managers work together in supporting the needs of the clients of Law Practice Edge.
HONORS
Suzette’s financial strengths and performance earned her the 2009 Tampa Bay Business Journal CFO of the Year Award. In 2018, she earned her Certified Legal Manager (CLM)® designation, a title that requires an in-depth knowledge of the many facets of law firm management. The education and testing required to pass the CLM®exam demonstrates a mastery of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to operate at a high level of expertise in the field of legal management. In addition, Suzette has earned certifications as a Legal Management Finance Specialist and a Legal Management HR Specialist through the Association of Legal Administrators.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Suncoast Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators
- Board of Directors, Chair – Newsletter (2018-Present)
- Board of Directors, Secretary (2006-2008)
- Albany Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (2000-2005)
- Board of Directors, Secretary (2003-2005)
- International Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), Member
- American Bar Association, Practice Management Section
- Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM)
PUBLICATIONS
- Your New Client Requires LEDES e-Billing – Now What? Lakeland Bar Association Journal, November 2021
- Building a Better Budget, Lakeland Bar Association Journal, April 2021
- Help New Employees Succeed With a Good Onboarding Protocol, Lakeland Bar Association Journal, January 2020
- Ten Ways to Improve Billable Hours, Lakeland Bar Association Journal, November 2019
- Cost Accounting in Law Firms, Lakeland Bar Association Journal, August 2019
