Atlanta Chapter CLM (Certified Legal Manager) Certification By: James Gillespie

One of the goals for the Atlanta ALA chapter for 2005 is to encourage more of our members to get CLM certified. As part of this emphasis, James Gillespie, an Atlanta ALA member who became a CLM when he passed the exam last November at the ALA Region Conference in Orlando, has agreed to share his experience. The answers he shared should provide helpful insights into what the CLM certification is and what it takes to become certified.

What is the CLM designation? CLM stands for Certified Legal Manager. The national ALA organization developed this certification in the mid 1990s. There are currently approximately 150 active CLMs in the country.

What are the requirements to become a CLM? There are years of service as well as course work/seminar participation requirements in various areas of study in order to sit for the exam. Once you meet those requirements you must successfully pass the exam. The cost involved to take the exam is $400 to $500.

Why did you get your CLM certification? I know the value of the CPA certification in the market place and it is my opinion that the CLM designation will have a similar benefit to those in the legal industry. Those willing to qualify to take the exam, pass the exam and maintain the ongoing educational requirements to stay active will reap the benefits of being set apart and recognized by this designation, I feel that today's increasing demands on law firm management require a commitment to life long learning. To me this is what the CLM is all about.

What are the areas covered by the exam? It includes the following with an emphasis as indicated: Financial Management (30%), Human Resources Management (35%), Legal Industry (10%), and Office Operations Management (25%).

How did you prepare to take the test? For the most part it is an academic test like the CPA exam I took 30 years ago. I started four months before the test date using the Barry University CLM Study Guide (cost $249). I read the study guide carefully, highlighting important information and making note cards to study later. I have a one-hour commute to work, so I put my commute to work! As I drove I had opportunities to look over my cards and memorize key facts. As I approached the test date I studied harder. I ended up with 130 hand written note cards and could go through all of them in less than 1 hour. In addition, I studied the test questions included in the Study Guide as well as the sample exam questions provided by ALA several weeks prior to the exam date.

You passed the exam last November, what’s next? It has been so rewarding to me to become a CLM, I want other Atlanta ALA members achieve it as well. My goal is to lead a study group of 15 to 20 Atlanta ALA members that plan to take the exam either this fall or in 2006.

A new CLM study group will be formed shortly, led by James. We look forward to taking advantage of his recent experience in preparing for and passing the exam!

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Editor: Brian Gedeon (BHGedeon@duanemorris.com) (This publication is the property of the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators. Reproduction or reprint without prior permission is strictly prohibited. Click here to request reprint permission.)

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