Law Practice Tips

Below are tips for deciding whether to use audio or video when calling adversaries, clients, or associates. Audio calling remains a workhorse for communication despite the growing use of video calling. Consider switching off video during conference calls to avoid distraction. Improve your communication skills by reading articles about best practices , calling techniques ,  communication policies , and video conferencing tools . Also see the ABA book about Improving Client Communications  and Clio’s Guide to Videoconferencing for Lawyers . Calling with Audio vs Video Accommodation  - be considerate of hearing impaired who need visual cues. Audio - useful for short and impromptu calls; use to focus on what is said and take notes.   Fatigue - limit the length and number of video calls to avoid fatigue. Medium  - determine the best medium for your message - calling, writing, or face-to-face Notification  - alert callers at the start of calls about your preference for audio vs video.  Vide

Below is a list of Apple products with recommendations for when to replace old ones. To learn more about timing purchases of Apple products, read  Best Time to Buy Apple Products  and visit the  iPhone JD  blog and the  9to5Mac  website. Also read about making phones last and  replacing devices with battery decay . Time for Replacing Apple Products iPhone SE  - update expected in early 2025 take will add  USB-C (instead of Lightning connector) iPhone -  wait till Fall 2024 update for faster processor. Update in Fall 2023 added USB-C and update in 2022 added eSims, improved camera, screen and faster processors. AirPods - Lower AirPod prices expected in fall 2024. Update in 2023 Air Pods brought USB-C charging to AirPod Pro. Apple Watch - Delay until Apple releases its Apple Watch 10 in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025. Last upgrade brought only modest improvements.   iPad -  iPad Mini update expected in Spring 2025.  iPad Pro and iPad were updated in Spring 2024.  MacBook  - Pro updated with

Frequently Asked Question Pages attract prospects, boost rankings, and drive traffic to law firm websites. They save lawyer and staff time by enabling visitors to answer their own questions. FAQ Pages can answer questions about fees, hours, and practice areas. They can also explain common legal problems and how the firm can help solve them. Remember to add a search bar at the top of the FAQ Page and periodically update the answers. Enhance visibility by including a link to the FAQ Page in drop-down menus, footers, and sitemaps. For more FAQ tips, read articles about benefits , content , and design of FAQ Pages. For further study about websites, read the ABA's book about Marketing on the Internet , Clio's Guide to Website Design , and Lawyerist’s Web Site Reviews . Also see below for links to effective FAQ pages. SAMPLE FAQ PAGES Questions About the Firm Dixit Law Firm , Tampa (business and technology) Fry Law Firm , Atlanta (personal injury) Thurman Law Firm , Hillsboro (gener

Apps enable  access to data and documents 24/7 at home, on the road, or in the office.   They can  be installed   quickly  on  computers, smartphones , and tablets .  Some apps are free while others require  purchase or  a subscription fee. Below is a list of popular apps along with articles, books, and websites to help use them in law practices.  Apps Archiving - DropBox, Google Docs, and OneDrive Billing - Quickbooks, Square, and Zoho Calendering -  Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar Dictating - Apple Dictation, Dragon Anywhere, and Microsoft Dictate Journaling - Apple Journal, Microsoft Journal, Penzu Litigating - Depose and TrialPad Managing - Clio, Lexacata, MyCase , Rocketmatter, and Zoho Note Taking - Evernote, Notepad, and One Note Researching - dLaw and Fastcase Scanning - Abby, Adobe Scan, and Evernote Scannable Writing - Grammarly, Microsoft Editor, and Copyscape Articles Robert Ambroggi,  40 Essential Apps for Trial Lawyers ,  LawSites  Blog , Feb. 12, 2015 Robe

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 disclaimers , design , enhancement , importance , responding to inquiries , and using QR codes . Consider adding a  client relationship app  to your Contact Page with software like Capterra, Clio, MyCase, and Zola. Read  books about Getting Prospects,   Marketing Online ,  and Virtual Offices . Click here  to view examples or see below for links to sample Contact pages at law firm websites and their client relationship app. Samples of Contact Pages Frankl & Kominsky , B

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 Law) - Calendly Fatemi Law Firm  (Immigration/Injury Law) - Squareup Mayor Law Firm  (Bankruptcy Law) -  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 implementing them. 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 Tr

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.