How to Run a Law Office: Firm Measures, Supervision of Nonlawyers, and Continuity
Almost nobody is disciplined for misunderstanding the law. They’re disciplined because a deadline lived in one person’s head, a conflict check never happened, or a file wasn’t returned. This two-hour program builds the firm measures California Rule 5.1(a) requires: conflict checking, calendaring, client funds and property, and supervision, plus nonlawyer and vendor supervision under Rules 5.3 and 5.3.1, client files under Rule 1.16(e), technology competence, and continuity planning under Rule 1.17. It closes with the 2026 ABA/Krill data on workload and a case study every small firm will recognize.
2.00 hours California MCLE, including 1.42 hours Legal Ethics. Approval pending with the State Bar of California.
About Mark C. Daly
I was admitted to the State Bar of California in November 1999 and have practiced immigration law for 26 years. I twice started, built, managed and sold law practices, in Nashville and Denver. In both firms I personally hired, trained, supervised and evaluated attorneys and staff, and I was responsible for the systems that kept our files, deadlines and client communications on track. I learned leadership the hard way, through trial and error. Those years taught me that when a supervising lawyer gets leadership wrong, the cost shows up in missed deadlines, unhappy clients and exhausted lawyers.
I am a certified professional coach through the Raynor Institute, and I am registered with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as an Unlicensed Psychotherapist. I have completed training in Voice Dialogue, Shadow Work® facilitation, the Gottman Seven Principles, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. As Director of Training for Transformative Training in Denver, I oversaw the company’s leadership development, manager coaching and presentation skills programs for businesses and government agencies.
In 2004, the State Bar of California approved my immigration law and practice management trainings for MCLE credit, and I have been a registered California CLE provider ever since. I also helped design and manage “The Secret Keys for Maximizing Your Fees,” a CLE program my business partner presented to the state bars of Arizona, Maine, Nevada and New Jersey. I have spoken at American Immigration Lawyers Association and Federal Bar Association meetings. Today I provide coaching services to the Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP) and the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP). I have also mentored dozens of attorneys in law office start-up and practice management.
In 2025, my wife and I took a one-year sabbatical around the world. I came home with a clearer sense of purpose and stepped back from daily practice to launch Actualis Attorney Wellness. My aim is to help attorneys feel good, enjoy life and do the right thing, including as leaders of their own practices and teams.
Qualifications for This Activity
- California attorney. Admitted to the State Bar of California in November 1999 (Bar No. 202928). MCLE Provider #21025.
- Colorado lawyer well-being programs. Provides coaching services to the Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP) and the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP).
- Firsthand supervisory experience. Founded, managed and sold two law practices. Directly responsible, as a managing lawyer, for the firm measures, supervision and client-communication practices that California Rules of Professional Conduct 5.1 and 5.3 require.
- California-approved CLE since 2004. Immigration law and practice management trainings approved by the State Bar of California in 2004. Helped design and manage “The Secret Keys for Maximizing Your Fees,” presented to the state bars of Arizona, Maine, Nevada and New Jersey. Speaker at AILA and Federal Bar Association meetings.
- Well-being training. Registered Unlicensed Psychotherapist, Colorado DORA (No. NLC.0108322), bound by statutory confidentiality duties. Brings a trauma-informed approach to recognizing stress, burnout and impairment.
- Director of Training, Lead Facilitator and Coach. Transformative Training (Denver). Designed long-term leadership development programs for government agencies, trained managers to coach their direct reports to improve performance, and taught presentation skills.
- Certified Professional Coach. Raynor Institute. Has coached managing and associate attorneys and staff on workload, supervision and burnout.
