Attwood Marshall Lawyers are proud to have been re-certified as complying with the international quality management system standard ISO 9001 by SAI Global, announces Attwood Marshall Lawyers Practice Manager, Holly Gilholme.
What is ISO 9001:2015?
ISO 9001:2015 is an international quality management system standard that provides a framework for fundamental management and quality assurance practices that can be applied in any organisation. The requirements represent an excellent foundation for planning, control, and improvement of a business. Attwood Marshall Lawyers prides itself on its historical commitment to innovation and adopted the 9001 standard to bring our existing practices and procedures up to this internationally accepted level in 2013 (it was then LAW 9000).
Attwood Marshall Lawyers initially obtained their certification for complying with the then LAW9000 standard in 2013 and has continued the certification for the past 8 years. Although the firm’s existing systems were already finely honed to providing the best legal service to our clients, it was a huge challenge to take on the Quality Assurance Management Internal Standard. The initial process and the ongoing annual audits conducted by internationally acclaimed company SAI Global, have brought about some fundamental changes to our business and the way we work on a daily basis. There was a significant change from the now redundant LAW9000 standard to the broader 9001 standard, but the outcomes have improved our practices and procedures and, hopefully, has resulted in a better outcome for our clients and our staff.
In order to obtain and continue to hold certification, SAI Global conduct surveillance audits yearly, re-certification audits every 3 years, and organization development opportunities.
To be re-certified under ISO 9001:2015, you need to commit to implementing the standard, and equip your team with the tools to understand and critically improve processes and systems, putting the customer and outcomes first.
Continuous improvement, awareness and carefully considering risks are some of the key drivers for the standard. Yearly internal audits of our quality system are conducted along with exceptional policies and procedures maintained.
Training and development plans must be established and committed to in accordance with SAI Global standards to build staff’s capability and organization knowledge.
When you receive a SAI Global Certification, you are able to display the 5 Ticks Standards Mark which shows your organisation’s credibility. This is the world’s most recognizable logo and benchmark for quality assurance worldwide!
Attwood Marshall Lawyers ongoing commitment to quality
Compliance and quality assurance is embedded into our firm’s processes and culture, with a laser-like focus on ensuring our client’s get the best customer service possible.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers has always been at the forefront of office technology and we have implemented an electronic file and document management system through our practice management software providers, LEAP.
Our accreditation to the Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015 in the Provision of Legal Services allows us to display the internationally recognised red five-tick Standards Mark.
What this means for our clients is that we have the systems in place to provide the best possible customer experience and quality legal services. At the heart of our business is our intent to help people and change their lives for the better; and these systems help us deliver on our intent.
Legal Practice Director Jeff Garrett believes that the ongoing annual reaccreditation process and the audit by SAI Global keeps the management team on its toes and this also filters through to the staff, who have all embraced the ISO9001 Management System.
“It’s a bit daunting facing the annual audit regarding whether our firm can continue with its certification, but it is pleasing to see that we have continued to comply with the International Standard and are always looking to improve our systems and carry out the intent or purpose of our business,” Explained Legal Practice Director Jeff Garrett.
“Congratulations to our management team and staff for receiving our reaccreditation. The sobering issue is that no matter what type of quality assurance systems we comply with, the main point of this exercise is to ensure that we do the best we can for our clients, who are often experiencing the most stressful periods in their life when they engage us. It is very important that our entire staff recognise this issue and we have always tried to put the client’s welfare as our paramount consideration.”
No two law firms are the same
There are many ways people can find a lawyer to help them with their legal needs. Some jump on Google, others ask family or friends to recommend a lawyer they trust. No matter how you choose to find a lawyer, it is important to understand that not all law firms can provide the same level of service.
At Attwood Marshall Lawyers, we take great pride in our 75-year history of delivering trusted legal advice and embracing innovation and technology to ensure we meet the demand of our clients. Our lawyers practice exclusively in their respective area of law and have the expertise to provide specialist legal services. Our systems and processes are meticulously maintained and audited to ensure they support our lawyers and that our clients reap the rewards of this investment.
As a result of our ongoing commitment to quality and excellence, we have earned the reputation of obtaining the best possible results for our clients and continue to stay at the forefront of the legal industry.
If you need advice for a legal matter related to any area of law, we are here to help. You can contact our department managers directly on:
Wills & Estates and Family Law matters: Contact Donna Tolley on direct line 07 5506 8241, mobile 0423 772 555 or email dtolley@attwoodmarshall.com.au
Compensation Law (including Employment Law, Superannuation and TPD Claims, Motor Vehicle Accident Claims, Workers’ Compensation Claims and Abuse Claims): Contact Kelli Costin on direct line 07 5506 8220, mobile 0432 497 383 or email kcostin@attwoodmarshall.com.au
Estate Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Law and Equine Law: Contact Amanda Heather on direct line 07 5506 8245, mobile 0425 260 837 or email aheather@attwoodmarshall.com.au
Property & Commercial Law: Contact Jess Kimpton on direct line 07 5506 8214, mobile 0432 587 300 or email jkimpton@attwoodmarshall.com.au
