CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 02, 2007 -- In the highly competitive legal marketplace, law firms are faced with increasing demands from clients who want more for less. On April 18, 2007, Dena Rafte, founder and president of Rafte & Company, will present, "Building a Competitive Edge: Creating a Client-Focused Firm," to the Association of Legal Administrators in Charlotte, N.C.

Rafte''s presentation delves into how successful law firms depend on legal administrators to guide the response to changing business dynamics. The biggest change is that law firms no longer have clients or staff members for life. Faced with billing rate pressure and rising costs, leading firms continually find they must deliver more value to clients.

"In order to meet the expectations of clients, attorneys and the firm, many organizations have come to the realization that they have to change the way that they work together as a group," said Rafte, who established Rafte & Company, a leading provider of business strategy and technology solutions for law firms in 1983. "They have to create an environment that facilitates collaboration and ultimately makes it easy for the client to do business with the firm."
 
Rafte''s presentation focuses on what it takes to create a truly collaborative environment and stresses the benefits of a shared firm-wide perspective of serving the client.

"Even though the importance of top down leadership can''t be minimized, the administrative staff is essential in ensuring that initiatives to change the way law firms work are understood and embraced by staff members at all levels," Rafte said. "Only then can the firm seriously differentiate itself and create a truly leveraged environment for both the clients and attorneys."

Rafte will be the featured presenter at the Charlotte Chapter of the ALA''s April luncheon educational meeting, which begins at 12:00 p.m. on April 18, at The Dunhill Hotel, 237 North Tryon Street in Charlotte. To register, RSVP to Hayley Hayes by calling (704) 331-1131. The cost for members is $20 and guests are $25. Rafte also is scheduled to present to the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ALA''s monthly luncheon on May 15 at the Beverly Hills Country Club, 3084 Motor Avenue in Los Angeles. To register online, go to www.glaala.org. The cost for members is $30 and guests are $35.

About Rafte & Company

Based in Houston, Rafte & Company is a leading provider of strategic technology consulting services for law firms and other professional services firms. Established in 1983, Rafte & Company specializes in designing, implementing and managing strategic business solutions that accelerate growth by aligning a firm''s processes, infrastructure, strategy and culture with a clear understanding of the current and future wants and needs of clients and prospects. Learn more about Rafte & Company at www.rafte.com or by calling 713.993.9637 (call toll free: 800.396.9390).