Law Practice Tips

What You Need to Know About Career Transitions Most lawyers remain in the workforce for at least 40 years from their mid-20s to 70s. They usually change jobs at least once during their career. Career changes can happen by accident or design. Motivation can include a desire to improve work/life balance, increase compensation, or improve career outlook. The following are tips for a smooth transition at any age, along with links to resources with more information. Tips Benefits  – consider intangibles like hours, dress code, culture, overtime, remote work, etc. Internal  – try a new role with your current employer to avoid surprises at a different firm. Learning  - make yourself marketable by continuing education and getting certifications. Motivation  – pursue a career change that matches your motivation (e.g., compensation, stress, etc.). Networking  – seek career advice from senior lawyers and confer w...

Hiring to retire is a popular retirement strategy for solo practitioners. Planning is essential to optimize value and prevent problems caused by career ending disabilities and health emergencies. Following are planning tips for hiring and retiring. Also included are resources to help to implement them. Tips Assessing – assess knowledge, personality, and skills of job candidates; conduct a formal interview and then meet socially with spouses. Communicating – use daily calls, chats, and emails to stay in touch; hold weekly strategy meetings. Compensating – negotiate a salary and buy/sell agreement that incentivizes you and your successor. Hiring – use local bar associations, law schools, and recruiters to find a talented replacement. Marketing – assign responsibility for managing client relationships; monitor billings to assess results. Onboarding – introduce your new hire to clients and staff, provide equipment and supplies, review responsibilities, tour office, etc. Partnering ...

Starting a new law firm can be financially rewarding and spiritually renewing. Success requires diligence, integrity, and planning. Plan your startup by considering administration, marketing, staffing, and technology. Following are tips for start a successful firm and links to resources with additional information. Tips Adopt a Plan . Prepare a business plan and financial model. Select a system for accounting, billing, intake, and timekeeping.  Attract Clients . Create a marketing strategy that includes launching a website and writing a blog. Also include in-person activities like speaking at local events, taking part in bar programs, and volunteering for charitable work.  Consider Alternatives . Try improving your current job by changing practice areas, switching to flextime, or permanently working remote. Consider alternative career paths like changing law firms, freelancing, or working for a company, government, or nonprofit.  Evaluate Systems  – Cons...

Humor and storytelling can attract clients, improve presentations, persuade jurors, and win negotiations. Below are tips for storytelling and resources for improving your skills.  Tips Audience - know your audience and tailor you story to it. Content - tell   who, what, when, where, why, and how.  Delivery - make your presentation entertaining and interesting. Duration  - keep your story short and simple to avoid losing audience attention. Personality  - connect with your audience by telling a personal story from your past. Theme  - select a theme that relates to your audience and case.  Articles Being a  Storyteller Building Relationships Do's and Don'ts of Storytelling How to Tell a Story Humor in the Courtroom Lessons from Mark Twain   Persuasion with Storytelling Public Speaking with Humor and Stories Storytelling for Lawyers Using Humor at Work Books Art of Storytelling Making Your Case    Powerful Storytelling Speaking Outside...

Going back to school can help advances careers and achieve personal fulfillment after retirement. Education can also be used to develop specialties, improve skills, and learn legal developments. Below are tips for continuing your education and resources for implementing them.     Tips Benefits  - use educational programs to add specialties, change careers, improve skills, and expand social networks. Costs  - consider free and low-cost programs offered by online providers and community colleges. Disciplines  - options include practice management, law office technology, and legal specialties like environmental, estate planning, international, maritime, and tax law. Providers   - search programs offered by bar associations, CLE organizations, online providers, and universities. Style  - select the learning style that suits your needs (e.g. in-person, online, or podcasts). Teaching  - give back to the profession by teaching at an undergradua...

Changing jobs can be risky when moving from a law firm to a company or government agency, nonprofit organization. Careers can be stymied by lack of advancement, job loss can result from corporate mergers, and new management can change the standing of in-house lawyers. Following are some tips and resources to help you transition to a successful career as an in-house counsel.    Tips Advancement - confirm that the company organization provides adequate opportunity for advancement within the law department and management.   Assessment - assess the job and yourself to assure that you are a good fit for the position and the organization. Career - pursue employers that have established career paths (e.g. staff attorney, senior attorney, managing attorney, director, general counsel). Networking - continuing your professional network with outside lawyers to share expertise, friendships, and career opportunities. Industry - avoid cyclical industries that are prone to layoffs ...

Every day provides an opportunity to improve careers, finances, and lifestyles. Start by doing a y self-assessment and then create goals to achieve during the year. Use the following tips to inspire your tactics for a better life. Consult the resources below the list to help implement your strategy.  Tips Get Automated  —Use practice management software to automate accounting, billing, communications, dockets, and intake.  Keep a Calendar  —Keep track of appointments with a calendaring app, day planner, or desk calendar. Consider cloud-based apps that can be shared with others and viewed on your personal computer, smartphone, and other devices. Create group calendars for work and home. Reduce Distractions —Switch off the notification feature on devices to stay focused and reduce anxiety. Use the do-not-disturb feature on cell phones to avoid interruptions from calls and texts. Curate news on social media to limit time spent viewing them.  Set Goals  —Set me...

A good reputation helps persuade clients, colleagues, and the judiciary. It attracts cases, adds authority, and improves interactions. Following is an action plan and resources to manage reputations for successful firms and careers.     Action Plan Branding - use a tagline on business cards, brochures, and websites. Listing - list in legal directories and social media; update at least annually. Monitoring - conduct weekly searches for inaccurate and negative information (e.g., Google, Bing, and social media). Planning - create a personal development plan to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities. Publishing - publish articles on blogs, periodicals, social media, and websites. Reviews - encourage reviews, reply to negative ones, and report fakes. Surveying - survey client satisfaction and respond to comments. Volunteering - pursue volunteer opportunities to develop your reputation.   Articles Strategies for Efficient Lawyer Reputation Management Lawyer Reputation M...

Returning to the office can improve collaboration, productivity, and work/life balance.  However, many lawyers have delayed returning  due to f amily  situations,  health issues, or personal preferences.  Law firms can accelerating the return by allowing flexibility and promoting  health and well-being . Following are additional tips and resources for lure lawyers back to offices. Communication . K eep  lawyers connected  and inform ed  about office planning using conferencing, emails, and memos.      Environment . Improve  working conditions by  reconfiguring workspaces, add ing   touchless options ,  and modernizing  décor .  Create a welcoming e nvironment that makes people feel comfortable and relaxed.      Flexibility .  Allow  lawyers and staff to work remotely  for  a few days  per  week.  Give lawyers and staff the ability to  select ...

The Pandemic has caused firms to evaluate their clients, offices, and staffing. Take time to review your firm's situation and adopt strategies for the future. See below for a list of strategies for firm building and resources for implementing them. Checklist Analyze  - use data to assure informed decision making   Assess  - determine and address client needs Automate  - optimize the use of technology Create  - adopt a firm credo and put it into action  Collaborate - encourage teamwork  Compensation - keep compensation competitive Expand  - use alliances, retainers, and unbundling Lead - take  leadership positions in bar, civic, and religious organizations Progress  - stay current on trends in the law and the legal profession Retention - keep lawyers and clients happy to avoid departures  Articles Alternative Billing Future Proofing Law Firms  How Lawyers Can Stay Competitive Retainers for Steady Income Subscription-Based...