Meeting Information

March 27th, 2025 Lunch & Learn

March 27, 2025
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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The Otis Hotel Austin
1901 San Antonio St
Austin, TX 78705
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Budgeting 101 – Understanding and Creating a Budget

Session Description

Are you a new legal manager, or a manager with a limited financial background, looking to learn about the budgeting process? Have you always wanted to better understand the budgeting process but weren’t sure where to start? If so, look no further. 

 

In this session, we’ll take a deep dive into strategies to create a more perfect budget using tools that are usually at your fingertips.  You will learn to identify the best budgeting format for your firm and break the budget down into digestible components, which should make the task less taxing and keep time on your side.  Join us as we:

 

  •         Discuss why budgets are important
  •         Explore various budgeting methods used in law firms
  •         Learn to gather and retain routine KPIs throughout the year
  •         Discuss growth and contraction and the impact on budgeting
  •         Set financial goals and targets, and adjust the budget as necessary

Bio

Our speaker for this program will be Chris Sims. Chris is an experienced finance and management professional with a strong background in the legal industry. He is the Director of Finance with Shartsis Friese LLP, a 75-attorney firm in San Francisco, and has also gained valuable experience working for prominent corporations including IBM, TGI Friday's, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a focus on Finance and is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in Texas and California. He actively contributes to the legal community and is a member of the Association of Legal Administrators. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Austin Chapter and currently participates on the International Association's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee. Formerly, he served as a public member on the Board of Trustees for the Texas Center for Legal Ethics.

 

Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris enjoys spending quality time with his husband of 25 years. His personal interests include creating art, traveling, and snow skiing.

  

 This Lunch & Learn is for Austin ALA members, their guests, and business partners assigned to sponsor this event

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85184505400?pwd=BxDQjbZOiPAjWcKIh0Eyo5rIKPpMW9.1

Meeting ID: 851 8450 5400
Passcode: 941100

Our business partner sponsors for this month's luncheon are:

    

Important Reminders About Parking:

Otis Hotel Parking Instructions:

  • Turn right off San Antonio Street into The Otis parking garage which is just past the hotel valet. Be sure to take a parking ticket from the machine as you enter.
  • Take the elevators to Level 1.
  • Once on Level 1, head to the Acre 41 where you will check in with the restaurant host.
  • Parking validation will be provided to all ALA guests. Please be sure to bring your ticket with you to be validated.

 

Tickets

$40.00 Member Ticket

$50.00 Guest or assigned business partner

$0.00 Remote Lunch & Learn (for ALA members only)