Resources

416.726.8636

Over the course of my 25 years working in law firms, I have experienced first-hand the operational challenges that professionals face running professional services practices, the similarities and differences in the challenges that manifest themselves across the spectrum of firms - from traditional, conservative, full-service firms to dynamic, innovative, specialty focused firms - and the tools and characteristics it takes to overcome those challenges to cultivate efficient, effective, thriving professional services environments.

I now use that experience to provide outsourced operations management and support for professional services businesses that need operational support help part-time, intermittently or on a project basis. The types of challenges I most often help clients to overcome include:

• Project management - system implementation, event planning
• Human resources – recruitment, staff management
• Facilities management - renovations, relocations, windups
• Vendor analysis and selection – office equipment and supplies
• Bookkeeping, budgeting and financial reporting
• Overall crisis management

If you have operational challenges that you need to resolve, call me, I can help.

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416.904.4848

Phoenix Legal, led by Karen MacKay, provides advice and support to law firms and the professionals within them through their most critical transitions. Karen's practice is focused on leadership and strategy, governance and management; compensation, assessment and development through to succession planning and exit strategies. Further, Karen is a globally recognized expert on the challenges, expectations and motivations of the generations at work in law firms today; the management challenges around motivation, reward and retention of associates, of women and of partners nearing retirement.

With excellent communication, presentation, facilitation and coaching skills, Karen has more than 20 years of professional services experience combined with an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto; a Certified Human Resources Professional and licenses in a number of tools and assessments.

Karen writes regularly for legal publications in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. She is a member of the Practice Management section of the American Bar Association and is a member of the Editorial Board of Law Practice Magazine, an ABA publication.

In 2009, Karen was elected to become a Fellow in the College of Law Practice Management in recognition of her contribution to the law practice management profession.

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416.527.3684

Owner & Business Development Advisor

As a successful practicing lawyer for 16 years, I experienced the struggles, challenges, and triumphs of trying to build a book of business at the same time as you are trying to achieve a standard of excellence in the work you already have! Now, for over seven years, I've put my firsthand knowledge to use as a business development advisor and coach to other professional services providers, helping them to enhance the quality and quantity of work in their portfolios, and to build strong, sustainable businesses that fulfill their professional and personal aspirations.

Supporting clients through the process of business development – seeing them not only find success, but emerge stronger, more confident and more skilled at creating meaningful, mutually rewarding professional relationships – is incredibly gratifying. Whether you're trying to take your book to the next level, navigating a transition or have simply gotten "stuck" somewhere short of your goals, I can help.

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