Law Practice Tips

Anger can cause problems with health, relationships, and work.  Below are Healthline's tips for getting immediate relief from anger. For more ideas, see articles about causes and management  of anger ,  stress and burnout . Also see Dr. Nerison’s article for more tips and her ABA book about Dealing with the Stresses of the Legal Profession . Calming Strategiews Eat - eat chocolate and/or drink tea to relieve stress Chew - chew gum to boost mood Listen - listen to music for its calming effect Toy - interact with a rubics cube, stress ball, or worry beads Social - vent to a co-worker, family member, or friend Pet - take your pet for a walk to boost your mood Walk - walk outside to relax Watch - watch a funny video for laughter therapy Write - write negative thoughts in a journal to get them out of your head

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...

Below are tips for supervising lawyers and keeping them happy. Also included are links to articles, books, and checklists for implementing the tips.  TIPS Apps - use apps to facilitate communications and productivity Availability - be available to employees by chat, email, and text Collaboration - use social events, business meetings and newsletters to promote productivity Communications - Emphasize communication between team members and focus on listening Managing - resist the urge to micro manage Planning - use policy statements to set expectations about working hours, reimbursement for supplies, and tech support. Meetings - shorten meetings and reduce the number of them  Praise - compliment employees and celebrate their milestones  Tracking - use apps to track  productivity and progress APPS Asana ClickUp Google Tasks Monday Teamwork ARTICLES Hybrid Teams Law Firm Management Managing Associates Managing Remote Teams Remote Law Firms Tips for Managing Empl...

Working after retirement age can boost savings, improve well-being, and increase Social Security benefits. Consult your financial advisor and family members to assess the benefits and disadvantages of continuing to work. Below are alternatives for working after retirement and resources for pursuing them.  Alternatives Continuity - continue working at your firm; consider a reduced schedule or change in responsibility. Mentoring - mentor younger lawyers at your firm or participate in bar sponsored programs. Part-timer - pursue part-time or contract work for existing clients, former firms, or new prospects. Pro Bono - serve the community by participating in volunteer activities or pro bono programs. Teaching - stay connected to the profession by teaching law or leading a seminar. Articles Career Paths for Retired Lawyers Jobs for Retired Lawyers Leverage your JD in Retirement Redefining Retirement Teaching Law in a Business School Things You Should Know About Working...

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...

Make new clients welcome by providing them with a welcome kit. The kit can be posted on firm websites, physically delivered at in-person  consultations or emailed for virtual consultations. Below are tips for creating welcome kits and links to resources to help you welcome new clients.  Tips Benefits - welcome kits create favorable impressions, set expectations, and streamline the onboarding process.    Contents - include a contact page, client questionnaire, firm brochure, retention agreement, and welcome letter. Cover - put the contents in a presentation folder imprinted with the firm's name to make it memorable. Digital - create a PDF or video for the benefit of clients that consult virtually or prefer being paperless. Education - use the ki t to introduce members of the firm, billing procedures, client responsibilities, possible outcomes, and timelines.   Tools - keep clients happy by using additional tools like practice management apps and client ...

Chatbot apps enable firms to effortlessly answer client questions. Chatbots respond to questions with text and voice. The apps are affordable and easily added to law firm websites. Firms can select the data provided by chatbots, including information about the firm and legal problems it can solve. The apps can attract new clients and improve service to existing ones. Use the resources below to help add a chatbot to your firm's website. Articles Applications for Legal Chatbots Attracting Clients with a Chabot Benefits of Chatbots and Live Chat Chatbots for Law Firms Chooisng a Live Chat Provider Ethical Implications Improving Chatbots Guide to Chatbots Using Chabots on Websites Why and How to Create a Chatbot Books Designing Bots Guide to Making Chatbots Using Bots to Grow Firms Providers Codal Reviews Law Next Directory Samples Ashmore Law Firm  (Dallas, TX - General Practice) Burbank Law Firm (Fullerton, CA - Estate Planning) Phillips & Associates  (New York City - Discr...

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 ...

Abraham Lincoln battled depression during his legal career and Presidency.  Lawyers are especially susceptible to depression due to the rigors of the legal profession. Symptoms include inability to sleep, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, diminished ability to think, and thoughts of death. Avoid depression by  setting reasonable goals, prioritizing tasks, and using bar association resources. Consider seeking  medical help if you experience symptoms of depression. For additional tips, see the articles, books and websites listed below. Articles Battling Depression Causes of Lawyer Depression Curing Mild Depression Without Drugs Depression After Medical Procedures Diagnosing Depression Foods to Fight Depression Handling Depression and Stress Seeking Professional Help Signs of Depression Spiritual Will-Being Treating Depression   Books Guide to a Satisfying Practice Lawyer Well-Being Lincoln’s Battle with Depression Models for Happy Lawyers Yoga for La...

Stress is an occupational hazard for lawyers and their support staff. Causes include adversarial work, heavy workloads, and demanding clients. Below are tips for managing stress and resources for implementing them. Tips Acceptance - recognize your limitations and adjust career and lifestyle Attitude - maintain a positive attitude  Communications - improve your communication skills  Counseling - seek help from a therapist or your state bar's Lawyer Assistance Program Health - improve you eating, exercising, and sleeping habits Management - improve time management and technical skills Articles Coping with Age Related Stress Dealing with Stress Exercising to Reduce Stress Foods to Fight Stress Handling Depression and Stress Leading Healthy Lifestyles How to Calm Down Journaling to Reduce Stress Maintaining Mental Health Overcoming Stress Preventing Burnout Protecting Your Attention Relieving Stress with Music Seeking Professional Help Using Meditation to Manage Stress Books Guid...