Law Practice Tips

Follow-up reminders help avoid missed appointments, build networks, complete tasks, and request reviews. Avoiding overwhelming clients, co-counsel, and opposing counsel by using the following tips. Get additional tips from the articles and books listed below. Tips Content - limit to a few sentences and ask for reply to confirm receipt. Follow-up - call if no response (don't rely on leaving voicemail or email). Frequency - send one reminder to avoid annoyance and spam filters. Method - use email, letter, phone, or text depending on the preference of recipient. Purpose - send reminders for meetings, deadlines, tasks, and payments. Subject - use a short subject like "Reminder - Appointment". Articles Appointment Apps   Building a Network Communication Guide for Lawyers Email Etiquette Sending Reminders Writing Follow-ups  Text Messaging Books Business Email Etiquette for Lawyers Lawyer's Guide to Email Model Business Communications Samples Appointment Confirmation Bu

Many lawyers pursue careers with corporate law departments, law firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Others chose to start a new firm as a solo or with other lawyers. The new firm path is best for lawyers with entrepreneurial spirit, financial support, and organizational skills. Below are tips for writing a business plan to use as a blueprint for growing legal careers and law firms. For further study, see the links to articles, books, forms, and websites. Tips Assessment - assess entrepreneurial spirit and legal skills to determine readiness. Contents - describe the practice, competitive factors, finances, and marketing plans. Costs - determine the cost of equipment, offices, supplies, and staffing. Focus - select practice areas and geographic locations that will be the focus of the firm. Office - Decide whether to office at home, an office building, or shared office space. Research - study competitive factors, costs, fee schedules, skills, and prospective client

Continually review your law firm website to keep it current and comply with evolving ethical requirements. Avoid ethical complaints by using  a short disclaimer at the bottom of each page with a link to a detailed Disclaimer Page.  Add a Policy Page to comply with laws governing privacy. For more information, see the resources listed below and  consult your state bar association.  Articles ABA Modernizes Marketing Rules Best Practices for Privacy Policies Disclaimers for Firm Blogs and Websites Ethical Guide to Lawyer Marketing Ethical Guidelines for Websites Guide to Website Design Overview of Online Ethics for Lawyers   Books Ethics and Technology Legal Ethics and Social Media Marketing on the Internet   Forms Jennifer Ellis Blog Louisiana Legal Ethics Blog Samples Disclaimers Cardone Firm (New Orleans) - personal Injury Lubiner, Schmidt & Palumbo (Newark) - criminal immigration and traffic Mehr, Fairbanks & Peterseon (Lexington) - disability, insurance, and personal inj

Cybersecurity, ethics, and technology  are constantly evolving.   Review your current practices to protect client confidences and comply with ethical rules. Below is a checklist of practices to consider and articles and books for implementing them. Checklist Accounts - Use separate accounts for personal and work (i.e. email, banking and social media, etc.) Backups - Backup client files, correspondence, and other records Conversations - Do not discuss sensitive information near others or smart speakers Emergencies - Exchange landline and cell numbers with co-workers for emergency contact Encryption - Encrypt devices and drives to protect against data theft Erasure - Turn on settings that allow remote erasing when devices are   lost or stolen Locks - Use a locked room or file cabinet to secure paper documents Messages - Use secured messaging or encryption to protect emails and documents Networks - Use secure Wi-Fi network instead of public networks Passwords - Use a password manager pr

Mental sharpness can decline with age and sometimes be a sign of dementia. C onsult the following resources if you notice a colleague in mental decline or to prepare for the possibility that you might lose mental acuity before you retire.   Articles Detecting and Preventing Dementia Knowing When to Quit Law Firm Succession Planning: A Guide Lawyering with Dementia Raising Awareness of Alzheimer's Impairment in the Law Preparing for Mental Decline Reducing the Risk of Dementia Warning Signs of Dementia Wellness Guide for Senior Lawyers and Their Families, Friends, and Colleagues Books Passing the Torch Without Getting Burned Planning Ahead Guide Senior Lawyer Guidebook The Lawyer's Retirement Planning Guide Checklists Actions After an Alzheimer's Diagnosis Closing a Law Practice Law Practice Audit Warning Signs of Dementia Websites Lawyer Assistance Programs Succession Planning Alzheimer's Resources

Consultants are a resource  for your solos and small firms. They can provide temporary or permanent help to  firms that are lean on staffing. Management consultants can help with accounting, bookkeeping, marketing,  Tech consultants can help with apps, security, storage, and training.  Find a consultant with a Google search or ask colleagues for a referral. Decide whether to get online, phone or in-person support. Check reviews at websites like  Yelp and Hello Tech. For more information, consult the resources listed below, ABA’s Legal Technology Resource Center, and the state bar advisory services.  Articles Choosing a Tech Consultant Using a Tech Consultant Skills To Look For When Hiring a Marketing Consultant What is Practice Management Consulting Books Legal Technology Guide Cybersecurity Handbook Techniques of Top Consultants Websites ABA Legal Technology Resource Center ALA Directory of Tech Consultants

Motivated staff are happier and produce better results. Motivate by recognizing individuals and rewarding them for their achievements. Engender a team spirit by scheduling skills training and team building events. Read the articles and books listed below to learn motivational tips.   Articles Carrot and Stick Motivation Effective Ways to Motivate Getting People Back to the Office Inspiring Employees Post-Pandemic Perks Motivating Lawyers and Legal Assistants Self-Motivating for Solos Showing Employees You Appreciate Them Talent Development Books Showing Gratitude in the Workplace Winning Friends and Influencing People

Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia impact over 6 million Americans and their families and caregivers. Risk factors include age, genetics, and lifestyle. Although  more common over the age of 65, dementia can also affect people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.   The percentage of people with Alzheimer's increases with age from about 5.0% for people aged 65 to 74, approximately 13% for those 75 to 84, and 33% of people 85 and older.  Below are resources for counseling clients living with dementia, including articles, books, and webinars. Articles Action Plans Activities Dementia vs Alzheimer's Death with Dignity Determining Testamentary Capacity  End of Life Decisions Impact on the Legal Profession FAQ's About Dementia Early Onset  Dementia Lawyer’s Guide to Dementia   Legal and Financial Planning Reducing the Risk of Dementia Safety Considerations Warning Signs Books Assessment of  Adults with Diminished Capacity Counseling Clients with Dementia Checklist for Family Care

Knowing your clients can help attract business, detect conflicts, screen risks, and win cases. Asking the right questions can help you assess client needs and set expectations. See below for tips and articles to help you implement them.  Tips Ask for feedback on your invoices and website Meet clients at their place of business  Regularly meet with clients in-person, online, and by phone Review comments submitted on your blog and social media Send out surveys to get feedback Take clients to lunch to develop rapport Use data analytics to assess client needs Articles Alternatives for Learning About Clients Importance of Knowing Your Client Conducting Client Surveys Managing Clients Questions to Ask Your Clients Screening Cases and Clients Strategies for Understanding Your Clients Types of Clients Understanding What Makes Your Client Tick Understanding Your Client’s Business Using Data Analytics in Your Marketing What Makes Your Client Tick Books Coaching Your Client Positive Professionali

Cloud services can be used to backup, process, share, and store documents and data . Cloud storage reduces the need for hardware and keeps lawyers and staff  in sync whether working from home, the office, or on the road. Cloud services can be used for document preparation, legal research, and practice management. See below for a list of cloud benefits and resources for implementing them at your firm.   Benefits Eliminate equipment Increase Productivity Reduce Costs No Upfront Investment Save Time Work From Anywhere Articles Advantages of Cloud Computing Apps for Cloud Computing Choosing a Cloud Storage Service Cloud Computing vs Cloud Storage Cybersecurity in the Cloud Google vs Microsoft Moving Your Firm to the Cloud Preventing Data Breaches Public vs Private Services Trends in Cloud Computing Ways to Use the Cloud Books Cloud Computing for Dummies Cloud Computing for Lawyers Cybersecurity for Lawyers Legal Technology Guide Paperless Law Offices Software Licensing and Cloud Computing

Below is a list of personal productivity tips from the ABA Guide to Doing More in Less Time .  The book was written by two lawyer/consultants who explain easy to implement steps each to improve your practice and well-being. The detailed Table of Contents facilitates adopting of strategies one-at-time.  Set a goal of reading a chapter every month to work smarter. For additional study, see check the apps, articles, and books listed below.   STRATEGIES Create Systems Eliminate Distractions Delegate to Others Eliminate Clutter Schedule Tasks and Use Calendars Plan Meetings Remove clutter from desktops Set goals and priorities Use technology tools Apps Calendars To Do Lists Productivity Articles Being More Efficient Boosting Petsonal Productivity Increasing Employee Productivity Improving the Workplace Keeping Time Self-Improvement Using Calendars to Manage Tasks Books Collaboration Tools   Organizational Skills Project Management   Time Management  

Lawyers can improve outcomes and prevent problems by educating clients about the law and firm procedures. Client education attracts clients, creates an atmosphere of trust, and empowers informed decision making. See below for a list of education alternatives and resources for implementing them.   Alternatives Blogs Guides Newsletters Pamphlets Seminars Videos Websites Articles Apps to Manage Events Benefits of Educating Clients Creating Blogs Education Alternatives Emailing Clients Guide to Educating the Public About Law Hosting Seminars Making Money with Videos Marketing with YouTube Producing Online Content Questions to Ask During Seminars Topics to Cover Using Webinars Writing Newsletters Checklists Webinars Providers ABA -  booklets ,  content , and  newsletters Blumberg - client education pamphlets Lexicon - content Google - blog publishing Legal Talk Network - podcasting Paper Street - personalized newsletters Postcard Mania - postcards  Samples Articles - Grabel & Associate

The ABA's 2021 Tech Survey reported that a majority of firms use non-lawyers to administrative and marketing activities.  Preserve billable time by using  an assistant. Delegate activities like client intake, maintaining websites, publishing articles, posting to social media, and updating directory listings.  Use the resources listed below to affordable find help for administrative tasks and law firm marketing. Alternatives Associations - seek help from the ABA or local bar associations  Consulting - use a website developer or public relations firm Delegating - assign marketing responsibilities to an assistant or associate Hosting - subscribe to a service that host law firm websites  Staffing - hire a marketing assistant; consider using an intern or student worker Vendors - seek advice from vendors of software for client relations and practice management Websites - visit websites with marketing resources  Articles Benefitting From a Marketing Assistant Daily Marketing Activities Em

Below are strategies for getting workers back to the office and resources for implementing them.  Strategies   Amenities - offer amenities like snacks, meals, social events, and upgraded workspaces. Apps  - alert employees to apps for for ordering meals, scheduling meetings, and communicating Fitness  - provide time and space for exercise during the workday Flexibility - accommodate  those with medical or personal needs by allowing them to continue working remotely. Makeover - upgrade offices by adding a lounge area, exercise equipment, and outdoor space Health - protect health by improving air quality and providing anti-microbial office supplies Policies - adopt  policies to allow remote working a few days a week. Articles Air Quality at Work (NY Times, Sep. 13, 2021) Bosses Want Workers Back (Washington Post, Aug. 31, 2022) Dispensing With Masks (Fortune, Aug. 31, 2022). Encouraging Workers to Return (ABA Journal, Oct. 26, 2021) Enticing Workers Back to the Office (Wall Stre

Below is a list of current trends in the legal profession. Keep your firm ahead of the competition by adopting them early. Learn more about the trends by reading the articles and books appended at the end of this post. Trends  Artificial Intelligence - gradual adoption of AI for drafting, litigation, marketing and research Cloud Computing - growing use of cloud for collaborating, saving and signing documents Cybersecurity - rising use of authenticator apps, encryption, and training Office Space - spread of unassigned seating to accommodate hybrid workers and reduce rent Payment - increasing acceptance of credit cards and other electronic payment alternatives Remote Work - remote working continuing at least two each week Schedule - hybrid work schedules with 2 or 3 days in office and remainder at home Signature - increasing use of e-signing with Adobe Sign, DocuSign and Microsoft Teams Team Building - greater emphasis on online engagement to keep lawyers connected  Training - continued