Law Practice Tips

Below are links to management and marketing resources for solos and small firms. Most are free and those with a fee are affordable. They include articles, books, products, and services. Use the links to expand your knowledge and build your practice. Articles: ABA ,  Findlaw , Justia , Lawyerist , and Lawyers.com Associations :  ABA ,  State , Local , and Specialty Bar Associations Blogs : Attorney at Work ,  Bob Ambroggi ,  Nicole Black , Jim Callaway ,  Carolyn Elefant , Joan Feldman , Catherine Reach  and Larry Bodine  (see Lexblog  to start blogging) Books: Building a Law Practice , Capturing and Keeping Clients ,  Legal Technology Guide , Marketing on the Internet , Small Firm Roadmap , and Solo By Choice CLE  - ABA CLE , LawLine , and  Solo Practice University   Directories:   FindLaw ,  Justia , Lawyers.com , and  Martindale  (see rankings ) Discussion Groups :  Solo Sez  (see  review  of discussion groups for lawyers) Marketing : Blogging ,  Business Cards ,  Pamphlets , Broch

Hackers send personalized phishing emails, bogus job offers, extort ransom or use “brute force” to hack into email accounts of unsuspecting lawyers. Avoid being hacked by protecting  your passwords and  adjusting your privacy settings .  Check whether your email was compromised by using an  online tool  posted at the  CyberNews website. And read a CyberNews article to learn how hackers use stolen data . 

Educational videos and webinars are an inexpensive and effective way to attract new clients and keep in touch with existing ones. Webinars can establish your reputation and increase your visibility on the Internet. Consider holding monthly or quarterly webinars as live events and recording them for replay by those unable to attend. Create an archive of past webinars at your firm website and launch a YouTube page to broaden their availability. Norm Rubenstein with the Zeughauser Group cautions webcasters to provide in-depth thought leadership to attract viewers and consider podcasting as an audio alternative to webcasting.  For more webinar tips, r ead articles about  checklists ,  hosting ,  planning , producing ,  promoting , YouTube , and  Zooming webinars . Also see our post about marketing with podcasts . For in-depth study, read books like the Lawyers Guide to Marketing on the Internet , Marketing with Webinars , and  Webinars for Dummies .  See below for links to Law Firm Webina

Contact pages are an essential part of law firm websites. They facilitate communication with prospects and clients by providing the firm's address, phone number, and a form for emailing, or texting, or live chat.  Contact pages can be linked to client relationship software to improve client intake, marketing, and case management. Consider including  a disclaimer that a contact form submission or email does not initiate an attorney-client relationship.  Improve your firm's contact page by reading articles about  client relationship software , contact disclaimers ,  designing contact pages , improving client contact , and  the importance of client contact pages . For further study, read ABA books about  Internet Marketing   and  Virtual Offices . See below for links to sample contact pages with the name of the client relationship software integrated into the page.  Examples of Contact Pages Frankl & Kominsky , Boynton Beach, FL (Captorra) Law Office of David M. Goldman , Jack

Appointment apps enable clients to schedule appointments without having to call your office. The apps automatically email customized confirmations, send reminders, and let clients reschedule on their own.  They are a  convenience to clients and an enhancement to firm websites. Appointment apps reduce no-shows and help convert prospects to clients.  Popular apps include Calendly and Microsoft Bookings. For more information, read articles about   improving client intake ,  using appointment apps ,  and scheduling tips . See a comparison chart  at MyShingle and check product reviews at Calendly , PC Magazine , and Software Pill .  See examples of the use of appointment apps at the following law firm websites hosted by Justia : SAMPLE WEBSITES USING APPOINTMENT APPS Jessenia Rosales  (Family) - Calendly Fatemi Law Firm  (Immigration/Injury) - Squareup Mayor Law Firm  (Bankruptcy) -  Calendly

Social audio apps facilitate networking as a broadcaster or a listener. Broadcast from your home or office. Listen while driving, walking, or doing chores. Social Audio is live with no recording or playback. Current platforms include Cappuccino, Clubhouse, Quilt, and Twitter Spaces. Listeners participate by  raising their hand to ask a question or comment.   Social Audio is another way that technology is transforming how lawyers communicate, interact, learn, and market. Get tips from articles about Audio Networks ,  Clubhouse for Lawyers , New Ways to Network , Social Audio For Lawyers , and Using Twitter Spaces .  Also see blog posts about Webcasting Tools and how to marketing with   Blogging , Podcasting , and  Social Media .

Zoom is a popular tool for conferences, meetings, and seminars. Assure the success of Zoom events by using a paid Zoom account that allows more participants, unlimited meeting time, and recording. Carefully choose Zoom settings like waiting rooms, muting on entry, and granting co-host controls. Ask someone to help you with logistics like inviting participants, muting their microphones, and troubleshooting technical difficulties. Schedule a rehearsal for practice and offer tips to help participants who are new to Zoom.  Prior to launching a Zoom event, remember to adjust lighting, pick background, and dress for success. View Zoom tutorials  and how to videos . For more tips, read articles about getting started , chatting strategies , looking professional , and Zooming tips . For in-depth study, read books like Zoom for Dummies  and Engaging Learners Through Zoom  and visit websites like FSBA's Video Conference Toolkit .

Getting “pwned”  means that your password has been exposed by a data breach. A website called  haveibeenpwned  is a free source for determining whether your accounts have been pwned.  Avoid being pwned by: 1) being alert to  phishing scams and spam; 2) using caution  when opening files; 3) avoiding malicious links; 4) e nabling two-factor authentication; 5) using s trong passwords;  and 6) installing  a password manager.  If you have been pwned: 1) make sure y our antivirus programs and operating systems are up to date; 2) s can your device for malware; 3) c hange your passwords; 4) c hange security questions; and 5) c heck the settings of your email accounts to assure that they haven't been set to automatically forward messages.  For more tips, read articles about avoiding phoshing scams , backing up passwords ,  security , protecting data ,  receiving pwned alerts  and steps to take if you've been pwned . Also see the ABA’s Cybersecurity Handbook  and the New York Times revie

Work smart strategies to achieve career success, balance work/life, and reduce stress. Smart techniques include automating, delegating, organizing, outsourcing and prioritizing. Read articles with  tactics ,  tips  and  technology  for working smarter. For in depth study, read the ABA’s  Lawyer Guide to Working Smarter  and other books about  improving productivity .

Win trials by anticipating issues, preparing to-do lists, creating demonstrative aids, and telling a compelling story. Use virtual preparation to improve witness performance. Keep conversations informal, make briefings short, and use playback as a teaching tool for witnesses. For more tips, see the resources listed below.   Articles Best Practices Ethical Rules Expert Witnesses Lessons from Cousin Vinny Preparing Visuals   Presenting Electronic Evidence Trial Tips   Using iPads Virtual Trials Witness Preparation Books Guide to Trials Preparing Witnesses Pre-Trial Strategies for Success Storytelling for Lawyers ,   Trial Manuals ,  Trial Tips What it Takes to Win Winning Jury Trials Websites ABA Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Division ABA Litigation Section American Association for Justice American College of Trial Lawyers National Institute for Trial Advocacy

The Covid crisis has pushed technology to the forefront of the legal profession. Lawyers are increasingly use tech tools have to connect with clients, collaborate with colleagues, and improve efficiency. Below are some tips for using technology and resources for further study.  Tips AI - use artificial intelligence for analysis, document preparation, and research. Benefits - technology increases profits and client satisfaction. Billing - use time a tracking app and digital invoicing to speed billing and payment. Cloud  - subscribe to cloud services to store documents and facilitate teamwork. Cybersecurity - adopt security apps and procedures to protect individuals and their devices. Management - automate client intake and improve client relations Marketing - alert clients and prospects to the benefits of your tech prowess. Articles Artificial Intelligence   Billing Budgeting Cloud  Computing Cybersecurity Digital Transformation Getting  Paid Litigation Management Marketing Tools Train

Hackers can  encrypt your files unless you protect them against ransomware attack s.  Protect your files and your clients by enabling   Controlled Folder Access   in Windows and using link protection in Outlook  a nd Gmail . Remember to continuously backing up files with an external hard drive or cloud service like Carbonite . Learn more by reading articles about   cybersecurity , hacking , and  ransomware . Also read the ABA's  Handbook on Cybersecurity  and  Survey of Best Practices . Also see  PC Magazine's Review of Cloud Backup Services  and visit security websites like   NoMoreRansom   and Krebs on Security .  

Hashtags (#) and handles (@) can be used to search content on social media and increase the visibility of your postings. Use # with words to lure readers searching for those words. Tag people and organizations with @ to attract searchers looking for them. Learn how to use handles and hashtags by reading articles about them ,  what they mean , marketing with hashtags ,  popular legal tags , hashtag etiquette ,  promoting your firm with tags,  using on  LinkedIn  and Instagram , and tips for searching with tags . Read  articles about using Instagram ,  LinkedIn and Twitter hashtags. Also see the  post   about  marketing with social media   and visit the ABA's web page with social media resources . , us

During the Pandemic, successful practices are adopting new technologies, changing practice areas, and monitoring health and safety. To thrive during and after the Pandemic, read articles about marketing , recession proofing ,  strategies , technology , and trends .  Also read the ABA Report on Pandemic Survey Of Law Firns  and browse Coronavirus resources available at websites created by the ABA ,  AICPA ,  HBR , and State Bar Associations . For in-depth study of emerging trends, read the ABA's new book about  Ethics and Technology in an Evolving World .

Slow Internet speeds can cause timeouts, delay downloads, interrupt video, and garble conference calls.  Start the troubleshooting process by contacting your cable provider to request help with speed problems and connection issues. Consider connecting your devices to the Internet using Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. Improve Wi-Fi performance by upgrading routers, changing channels, moving to higher frequencies, and using a Wi-Fi extender or mesh device. Read home networking articles about design , improvements , mesh systems , rebooting ,  routers , speed , and security . For in-depth study read books like Wiley’s Guide to Networking and  ABA’s  Cybersecurity Guide .  Get assistance from the ABA's Legal Technology Resource Center and your state bar's technology assistance service .    H

Improve the audiovisual quality of your conference calls by using a webcam or microphone. Enhance your appearance by using an expensive spotlight  to illuminate your face.  And free up your laptop by putting your smartphone on a tripod  for video calls. For more tech tips, read articles about video calling ,   best gear for online meetings ,  mastering virtual meetings . And see Doug McHomey’s video about working about best video calling equipment for working from home. 

Signature technology can be used on business, government, and personal documents.  Popular software programs with electronic signature capability include Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word .  Digital signature software programs like Docusign  provides encryption in addition to electronic signatures. Learn more by reading articles about paperless signing , notarizing e-documents ,  document management ,  legal requirements , and when and  how to use signature technology .  Also see reviews of software for  digital signatures  and  document management.

Write professional looking contracts by using concise wording, paragraph numbering, section headings, and tables of contents. Use letter-size paper and single spacing to make contracts easier to scan. For more tips, read articles about  form libraries , word processing ,  writing clearly , and technology tools  like document management software . Improve your drafting skills by attending an ALI Webinar  or taking a Ken Adams  workshop . Also see Dell  Toedt's  archive of drafting articles  and his contract checklist .  For in-depth study, read PLI's contract handbook  and the  ABA's Manual of Style for Contracts and other ABA books about business contracts , computer contracts , construction contracts , documenting deals ,  drafting style ,  government contracts , leases ,  medical contracts ,   prose in contracts ,  settlement agreements , structuring transactions , and tech contracts .  Webinar

Social media impacts careers, discovery, marketing, reputation, and research. ABA surveys indicate that many lawyers and firms are using social media tools like Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, Podcasts, and Twitter. Get started or improve your skills by reading the articles and books linked below. Articles  Alternatives Avoiding Over Use Best Practices   Creating Brand Identity Discovery in Legal Proceedings Influencers   Ethics   Marketing with LinkedIn Metrics   Networking Managing Social Media Marketing with Social Media Networking Participating in Online Communities Strategies Using LinkedIn Time Tips   Writing Books  Creating an Online Publishing Strategy Facebook in One Hour for Lawyers Lawyers Guide to Social Media LinkedIn in One Hour for Lawyers LinkedIn Marketing Techniques Legal Ethics and Social Media Marketing on the Internet Social Media Law Social Media Marketing Twitter in One Hour for Lawyers Young Lawyers Guide to Social Media Providers Blogging Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

Consider cost, timeliness, and reliability when selecting the best service for delivering your legal documents. Remember to check court rules and determine preferences of recipients. Read articles about  document preparation  and  management . Learn about electronic delivery alternatives  to email attachments and physical delivery  options like  courier ,  electronic , and  US mail mail .  Be careful to  avoid delays caused by seasonal slowdowns and work stoppages. Alternatives Client Portal - quick and secure, but inconvenient Courier - best for same-day service, but expensive FedEx - best for next-day service, less expensive than courier  Fax - quick and secure, but requires hardware Link Sharing - convenient, quick, and secure UPS - competitive pricing for 2-day and 3-day service US Postal Service - best value US mail