Salazar Jackson Becomes One of the First Law Firms in South Florida to Implement In-House Project Management; Hires Amanda Braun as Firm Project Manager

March 30, 2015 Posted in Firm News

As law firms continue to face clients demanding for more work at a lower cost, a new trend has emerged in the legal industry. Many of the largest, nationwide law firms have turned to in-house project management to streamline operations, increase predictability and productivity, and control pricing. Miami-based business law firm Salazar Jackson, LLP, is one of the first firms in South Florida to implement this new platform, spearheaded by a newly hired Firm Project Manager as well as a move to a new, more collaborative office space.

“It is rare for a firm our size to have in-house project management but we strongly believe this gives us a platform to take on the larger firms,” said Luis Salazar, Co-Founder of Salazar Jackson, LLP. “Although the concept is fairly new I believe project management will soon become an industry-wide standard.”

For law firms, the benefits of implementing in-house project management include:

• Predictability – It allows firms to evaluate a project and develop accurate goals and plans.
• Great results – It creates maximum efficiency for the firm.
• Competitive pricing – Many clients are questioning costs or requesting work on a project basis to save money. This platform allows for transparent pricing.
• More effective communication – Communication is significantly improved both within the firm and with clients.

 Salazar Jackson has hired Amanda Braun, a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), as Firm Project Manager. In this role, she has centralized management of all firm tasks, overseen the effectiveness of the work being completed, scheduled project deadlines and prioritized projects.

“With increased competition from other law firms and outside consultants, in-house project management provides a competitive advantage for boutique law firms,” said Braun.

 Prior to joining Salazar Jackson, Braun served as an IT project manager for The Children’s Trust where she led and managed a team of eight staffers to develop, implement and support technology. In 2011, Braun was recognized as Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women. Additionally, Braun is an honored member of Continental Who’s Who.

 Braun earned her juris doctor from Florida International University College of Law, and her Master of Science degree in Management from the University of Wisconsin.  Braun is a member of the Florida Bar.

 Ms. Braun joins the firm at its new office located in the penthouse of 2000 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables.

“As part of our move, the firm is placing a significant emphasis on our culture of a collaborative environment with open spaces, work areas and an emphasis on quality management,” said Salazar.

Salazar Jackson represents clients in complex restructuring matters, bet-the-company litigation, defense of governmental investigations, and mergers and acquisitions. In the past two years the firm has received both national and local attention for its effectiveness, diversity and high profile cases.

“Our successes are proof that our business model is working,” said Linda Worton Jackson, firm Co-Founder, who credits the firm’s smaller size with its ability to cover areas of the law that are more prevalent in today’s market. “This flexibility allows us to best serve our clients’ individual needs and has led to our great success.”