Vincent M. Bell
President
vbell@upstreamconsultinggroup.com
More than thirty years of senior executive experience in both partnerships and corporations including 20+ years of professional services management experience.
- Strong project management and team building skills which allow for the cost effective implementation of new projects.
- Provide strategic advice to senior management on the most current changes to the traditional law firm model including staffing, associate recruiting and productivity, and maximizing investments in real estate.
- Strategic billing and collections analysis to increase profitability and growth
- Implemented a new approach to billing and collections including monthly goals and partner targets
- Was one of the project managers who developed and implemented Akin Gump’s outsourced Financial management program including a firm-wide training program for the new accounting system.
- Technology management including design/implementation of complex financial software projects.
- Experience in developing/managing outsourcing operations including accounting systems and word processing operations.
- Human resources and benefits management experience including: designing improved staffing models with increased staff to lawyer ratios yielding significant productivity and profitability improvements; recruiting, training and mentoring of staff managers to improve productivity, insure continuity and provide effective backups for employees at all levels.
- Facilities and real estate management, construction and space utilization.
- Managed real estate search, lease negotiations, design process and build-out for 225,000 SF of office space in New York City in a newly constructed LEEDS Platinum building.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP – Director of Administration, NY for 13 years
- Moses & Singer, LLP – Executive Director
- Cole Schotz Meisel Forman & Leonard LLC – Director of Administration
- Cooper Robertson & Partner – Architectural Firm Director of Administration
- Publishing Industry Experience – Simon & Schuster, B. Dalton Booksellers, and Barnes & Noble, Inc.
MEMBERSHIPS, RECENT PUBLICATIONS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
- Large Law Firm Administrators’ Group, Founding Member (2008 to present)
- Law Firm Controllers’ Roundtable (2002 to present)
- Active member of the Association of Legal Administrators (New York City chapter) (1994 to present)
- Chair of Large Firm Section 2006 – 2008.
- Co-Author of “Building and Understanding Law Firm Space” NYSBA Journal, 9/2011
- Contributor to “Best Practices in Legal Management: A Comprehensive Guide”, book published by the NYSBA, 2010
- Speaker on “Foxes, Hedgehogs and Law Firm Profitability” – ALA Webinar, 9/2012
- Panelist on “Law Office of the Future” – ALA Regional Educational Conference, 9/2011
- Speaker at Symposium 5.0 on “Law Firm Space” – ALA, New York City Chapter, 9/2010
- Speaker on “Best Practices in Legal Management” – NYSBA CLE Conference, 2/2010
EDUCATION:
- Fordham University – MBA (Accounting)
- New York University – BS and MS