CLM Exam Information and Outline
Certified Legal Manager
CLM Exam Syllabus & Study Guide
Before you start practicing with our exam simulator, it is essential to understand the official CLM exam objectives. This course outline serves as your roadmap, breaking down exactly which technical domains and skills will be tested. By reviewing the syllabus, you can identify your strengths and focus your study time on the areas where you need the most improvement.
The information below reflects the latest 2026 course contents as defined by ALA. We provide this detailed breakdown to help you align your preparation with the actual exam format, ensuring there are no surprises on test day. Use this outline as a checklist to track your progress as you move through our practice question banks.
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
Exam Code: ALA CLM
Exam Name: Certified Legal Manager
Number of Questions: 125 (100 scored- 25 unscored pretest items).
Time Allotted: 3 hours.
Passing Marks: Determined by Angoff Method-based criterion-referencing (not a fixed percentage).
Financial Management 29%
A. General Accounting
- Knowledge of general accounting procedures- systems- terms- concepts and policies- including familiarity with general ledger- general journal entries- cost accounting- fixed asset accounting- accounts receivable and accounts payable.
- Knowledge of banking/investment policies- procedures and types of accounts.
- Knowledge of trust accounting procedures and regulations.
- Knowledge of U.S. federal payroll and employee benefit procedures- and tax and reporting requirements (e.g.- Internal Revenue Service Code).
- Knowledge of legal organization structures and the laws and regulations regarding accounting procedures for each structure- including tax reporting requirements.
- Knowledge of accounting for law firm/law office operations- including time and billing systems- billing methods- electronic billing- collection procedures- and cost recovery guidelines.
B. Financial Information and Analysis
- Knowledge of the content and structure of financial statements.
- Knowledge of financial controls (e.g.- division of responsibilities).
- Knowledge of methods of financial analysis (e.g.- calculating and interpreting various financial ratios- conducting profit analyses- analyzing comparative financial information across fiscal years).
- Knowledge of budgeting- financial reporting- cash flow analysis- model building and variance analysis.
- Knowledge of alternative fee arrangements (e.g.- bonus based- contingency- flat fee- task based- volume discounts).
- Knowledge of client matter budgeting as it relates to electronic billing and/or allocation of firm/law office time and resources.
Human Resources/Talent Management 31%
A. Employee Selection and Promotion
- Knowledge of procedures and tools for recruiting- selecting and promoting employees.
- Knowledge of U.S. federal employment laws (e.g.- Civil Rights Act of 1991- Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA]- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act [USERRA]).
B. Performance Management and Compensation
- Knowledge of U.S. federal employee benefit laws (e.g.- Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act [COBRA]- Fair Labor Standards Act [FLSA]- Family and Medical Leave Act [FMLA]- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA]- Employee Retirement Income Security Act [ERISA]).
- Knowledge of U.S. federal employment laws regarding harassment and discrimination (e.g.- Civil Rights Act of 1991- Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA]- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC]).
- Knowledge of performance management systems and procedures (e.g.- performance appraisal- discipline- reporting- termination).
- Knowledge of workforce training and professional development systems and methods (e.g.- learning management systems- continuing education).
- Knowledge of employee motivational techniques.
- Knowledge of employee incentives/rewards systems (e.g.- compensation- employee benefits).
C. Organizational Development
- Knowledge of leadership styles- techniques and assessments.
- Knowledge of team development and management principles (e.g.- self-directed teams- team building).
- Knowledge of organizational development and change management techniques.
- Knowledge and skill in negotiation and conflict management techniques.
- Knowledge of American Bar Association principles and best practices for implementing and evaluating diversity and inclusion programs.
- Knowledge of process improvement methodologies and tools (e.g.- Legal Process Management).
Legal Industry/Business Management 17%
A. Legal Industry
- Knowledge of the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Ethics as it pertains to law firm management (e.g.- conflict of interest- advertising- client file management).
- Knowledge of professional liability issues.
- Knowledge of changes/trends in the legal industry.
B. Business Management
- Knowledge of business development and marketing techniques- including market analysis and business development tools (e.g.- social media- website design- search engine optimization [SEO]).
- Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding business insurance coverages.
- Knowledge of risk management and planning techniques (e.g.- disaster and business continuity planning).
- Knowledge of strategic business planning principles and techniques (e.g.- SWOT analysis- 5-year planning- succession planning).
- Knowledge of workforce demographics and trends.
Operations Management 23%
A. Technology
- Knowledge of the features and capabilities of hardware and software systems and applications.
- Knowledge of information technology security risks and mitigation techniques.
- Knowledge of information governance (e.g.- requirements for paper and electronic document management- record retention- discovery holds and requests).
- Knowledge of regulations and controls for cybersecurity- electronic privacy and confidentiality.
B. Operations
- Knowledge of facilities management procedures and techniques.
- Knowledge of leases and contract agreements- including financing options.
- Knowledge of project management- including tools and software.
- Knowledge of procurement and contract management procedures (e.g. developing requests for proposals- evaluating proposals- overseeing contractor performance).
- Knowledge of principles- laws- and/or programs related to workplace safety- health- and mental wellness (e.g. ergonomics- Occupational Safety and Health Act [OSHA]- Employee Assistance Programs [EAPs]).
- Knowledge of office space assessment- design and development strategies.
- Knowledge of techniques for implementing and maintaining employee well-being programs (e.g.- ergonomics; Employee Assistance Programs [EAPs]); financial- mental- and physical well-being; substance abuse).