On-Site Associates has been providing quality receivables management services to law firms and other professional services organizations since 1990. Our standards of excellence in serving the legal community are unequaled. On-Site Associates has maintained multi-year relationships with some of the most reputable law firms in the Nation. When the decision was made by seven well known law firms in Northern California to undergo an orderly dissolution, each and every firm put its trust in On-Site Associates to handle the liquidation of their client receivables portfolio.
As part of our on-going commitment towards the promotion of enhanced receivables
management practices within the legal industry, our founder, George
Abodeely has recently authored two articles which were published in The
National Law Journal, and we were also featured in a recent cover article
published in The Recorder. Please feel free to inquire about a representative list of our many satisfied clients, by using our inquiry form.
On-Site Associates, LLC offers the following services:
Diagnostic Review and Procedural Development -
Client Intake, Billing, and Collections Systems
On-Site Associates can perform an in-depth diagnostic review and assessment of your firm's client/matter intake, billing, and collection process. We can also focus our analysis towards any specific area of these processes which may require development in order to improve cash flow and increase profits.
We typically conduct a thorough examination and assessment of the following key operational areas:
- Client/matter intake and credit risk review
- Time entry, cost recovery, and client billing
- Organizational structure of the departments responsible for client billing and collections
- Internal collection follow-up practices
- Approval authority policies for write-offs, write-downs, payment plans, and compromise settlement arrangements
- Stop work limitation programs
- Malpractice and risk management review policies
- Automated billing and collection systems capabilities
We issue a comprehensive report of our findings and our recommendations on how to enhance your existing intake, billing, and collections process. Giving special consideration to your firm's overall goals for growth and profitability, we draft new and enhanced policies. We can also give substantial assistance with employee training, as well as assisting in implementing the firm's new policies.
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On-Site Receivables Resolution and Outsourcing Programs
Many firms are trying to control costs during the current economic climate, but all too frequently they find themselves unable to maximize the realization of their accounts receivable portfolio. Causes for this may include a lack of appropriate resources, e.g., inadequately-staffed collection units. Instead of hiring more permanent staff, a firm can choose the cost-effective solution of placing one or more of our collection professionals on site to perform collection assistance work in the name of the firm on the client/matters the firm wishes to assign. Most importantly, our compensation derives from commissions based upon actual dollars collected. Hourly compensation collection assistance programs are also available upon request.
Accounts Receivable Resolution (Outsourcing) Projects Program Benefits:
| Enhanced Cash Flow |
We will convert a portion of your non-performing receivables into cash. |
| Control |
The attorney will always approve our recommended resolution strategy, in advance. |
| Expertise |
We are seasoned professionals with a proven track record of success. Our client list speaks for itself. |
| Cost Effectiveness |
Because we are consultants, there is no employee-related expense. The bulk of our compensation is derived from commissions. |
| Objectivity |
Our consultants will operate in the best interests of your entire firm. We eliminate politics from the process. |
| Ancillary Benefit |
Should you later engage us to develop enhanced internal processes, the understanding of the firm culture we obtain during the resolution project will prove invaluable. |
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The Senior Associate managing the project will have a proven record of success within the professional services environment. While we completely understand the sensitive nature of the client relationship, we also understand that you deserve to be paid for your services. We can provide you with a level of expertise and professionalism that will improve your cash flow without ever resorting to inappropriate collection tactics.
In addition to the on site receivables resolution programs discussed above, On-Site Associates also handles individual matters on a direct assignment basis.
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Dissolution Services
When the decision was made by seven well known law firms in Northern California to undergo an orderly dissolution, each firm chose On-Site Associates to handle the liquidation of their billed and unbilled receivables portfolio. The end result of each of these projects was the same - we met or exceeded the expectations of every one of our clients. The many law firms we have represented have never received a complaint from their clients regarding our services.
On-Site Associates believes that the most successful dissolution projects have the following characteristics:
- Early Intervention - is the most important factor to be considered when designing a receivables liquidation program. We found that designing the program while the attorneys, staff, systems and records are still in place will guarantee the best results. Once a decision has been made to dissolve the firm, On-Site Associates has the experience to design a receivables resolution strategy that insures the best possible collected realization rate from the firm's receivables portfolio.
- Professional Due Diligence - the most crucial information needed to perform a dissolution project is not always located in the Accounting Department. It is often information obtained directly from the attorney that turns out to be critical. Our seasoned professionals, who understand the process, conduct interviews with the appropriate attorney that insures the success of the program.
- Systems and Records - maintaining physical control of the automated system and the key client records are of paramount importance.
- Control - our clients are always in control of the dissolution process. We do not adopt a resolution strategy without obtaining the prior approval of our client. At first glance, this might appear to slow the process down; however, we have found from experience that clear communication actually makes the process more efficient.
- Objectivity - attorneys sometimes express emotion regarding unfounded client complaints, or with clients who simply do not want to pay a firm that is no longer in business. Our professional and objective approach to resolving these matters is reflected in the positive results we achieve. We are frequently able to resolve disputes without resorting to litigation, even in situations which seemed insurmountable.
- Reporting - our detailed status report provides our clients with concise information on each of their client accounts and the overall status of the dissolution project.
- Cost Effectiveness - we often perform our dissolution services on a performance driven, commission rate basis. The rate charged is a function of the size, age and dollar concentration of the portfolio in question. We can also design alternative compensation structures that meet our client's needs.
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Workshops and Seminars
On-Site Associates workshops and seminars are designed with a practical approach to business in mind, utilizing an interactive style structured to keep audiences enthusiastic, involved, and motivated. These programs leave listeners eager to put their newly acquired knowledge to work immediately.
The following is a partial listing of On-Site Associates workshops and seminars. In addition to the programs listed below, we can also design customized programs to fit specific needs.
- Collections: The Art of Preserving Your Profit
(1-1/2-hour breakout, 1/2-day seminar, or full-day seminar)
A professional service firm's success depends on its ability to provide quality services and satisfy the needs of its clients while at the same time achieving its financial goals. A key component of the firm's success is its ability to collect its receivables and simultaneously maintain its client relationships. If receivables are not collected, realization rates drop and the firm will fail to achieve its profit goals. If the firm fails to maintain its client relationships, it will fail to meet its financial goals. And ultimately, if the firm doesn't meet its financial goals, it will cease to exist.
In many firms, collecting receivables is just one of many duties the administrative staff is given to accomplish. Allocating time for collecting receivables competes with many other pressing demands. One way to resolve the problem is to increase the skill level of staff members, which would enable them to make more effective use of their time. This seminar focuses on building the skills necessary for success: negotiation, conflict resolution, communicating, and problem solving.
- The Art of Negotiating
(2-hour workshop or 1/2-day seminar)
This practical workshop deals with the kind of negotiating people engaged in collections face on a daily basis. The seminar is not a session on how to manipulate others; it focuses instead on how to deal with clients on a continuing basis, and how to achieve a win-win outcome at the end of the negotiations: because the essential goal is collecting the money and keeping the client.
- Dealing with Difficult People
(2-hour breakout)
Our success in life often directly depends on how effective we are in dealing with challenging people. This workshop will help you understand them and develop a strategy of how to effectively cope with the people who until now have made your life difficult, frustrating, and sometimes downright miserable.
- Building Great Relationships with Firm Partners - while avoiding ethical landmines
(2 hour breakout)
This workshop focuses on developing relationships between Billing and Collection staff members and firm partners. Building trust and credibility with partners is crucial to the success of the staff's collection efforts. In addition to being presented with substantive analyses of the dynamics of these relationships, the workshop attendees will take part in playing roles which mirror the circumstances under which they would meet with partners in real life.
Billing Ethics will also be addressed in this seminar. Occasionally a partner will ask a billing coordinator to bill a client in a manner inconsistent with firm policy. The difference between meeting a client's needs or a partner's request and unethical activity is not always clear. Through role playing and frank roundtable discussions, workshop attendees will have the opportunity to address this issue and develop skills to recognize and avoid decisions which might create risk for the firm.
- Bankruptcy From A to Z
(2-hour workshop or 1/2-day seminar)
There is more myth and misinformation in circulation about bankruptcy than there is valid information. This is particularly frustrating for a new credit person, and even for an experienced credit professional who lacks recent bankruptcy experience. This seminar separates fact from fiction and makes clear what can and cannot be done by a creditor in a bankruptcy case.
This workshop provides a sound, basic understanding of the bankruptcy process. We will clarify bankruptcy notices - how to read and understand them - and when and how to file a Proof of Claim. More importantly, we will explore ways to analyze a bankruptcy case in order to determine whether a creditor should or should not get involved. This fast-paced, informative seminar will help creditors make better decisions when dealing with bankruptcy, and it will enable them to better protect their interests.
- Bankruptcy Strategies -
An Advanced Bankruptcy Seminar for Creditors
(Full-day seminar)
Experienced credit professionals understand that bankruptcy is a fact of life - they may not like it, but they can come to terms with it. They know how to read the bankruptcy notice and how to file a Proof of Claim. This seminar will cover more complex issues. How should they respond to debtor requests for the use of cash collateral? When is a Preference not a Preference? When should a Reclamation Claim be filed? How can creditors protect their secured claims? Chapter 11 bankruptcy is the focus of this seminar. Using a sample case study throughout, we examine in detail the many complex issues that credit professionals might face in a bankruptcy case. This seminar separates fact from fiction and makes clear what can and cannot be done by a creditor in a bankruptcy case.
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