Law Practice Tips

Many Americans are choosing not to answer their phones because of a deluge of robo and spam calls. Legislation has been adopted to stop the unwanted calls, but the problem is likely to continue. Below are strategies to block unwanted calls and articles with additional tips.  Strategies Apps - use an app like Hiya or NoMoRobo to block robocalls Complaining - submit a complaint to the FCC or FTC  Do Not Disturb - send calls to voicemail  Notifications - turn off notifications on smartphones to stop alerts from texts and calls Privacy  - keep your phone number confidential and/or use a second number Registering - register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry Screening - use settings to silence unknown callers and send them to voicemail, or hire an answering service to screen incoming calls Setting  - use smartphone settings to silence unknown callers, block unwanted calls and stop spam texts  Voicemail  - use Live Voicemail to Scr...

Below are tips for writing law firm press releases and links to samples from solo and small firm websites. An occasional press release can raise your firm's visibility and improve its online reputation. They are an inexpensive and effective marketing tactic for solos and small firms. Publish press releases at your firm website and submit them them to bar associations and editors of local newspapers and magazines. Also consider contacting editors to offer articles on topics in your practice areas. For more tips, see articles about the  art of press releases , building a press page ,  distribution services , emailing clients ,  getting into papers ,  importance of press releases,   managing public relations ,   publishing online , and  writing style ,  Also see books for lawyers about  Public Relations  and  Working with Reporters .  Tips Start with a sentence that has lists the city, state, month, day and year  Follow the f...

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 - c...

Firms use slogans (sometimes called taglines) to make themselves more memorable. Slogans are usually limited to a few words and describe unique features of the firm. They can be prominently displayed on websites, business cards, and stationery. When choosing or changing a slogan, use words that are timeless and easy to remember. Consider using a logo with the slogan to stand out like the Black Knight on the business card used by  Palladin , the lead character of the 1950’s TV Western. For more tips, read articles about building a brand ,  designing a logo ,  selecting a slogan ,  ethical considerations , taglines vs slogans , and using them in email . For inspiration, see taglines adopted by famous corporations  and  large law firms . Also see the following examples from websites of solos and small firms.    Sample Taglines Bridge From Big Firm Experience  (Silverberg Zalantis, Tarrytown, NY) Cardoso Cares  (Cardoso Law, Pensac...

Small firms and solos can enjoy many benefits from management software, including client satisfaction, cost reduction, data protection, and information sharing. Monthly subscription fees range from about $40 to $100 per user. The software can manage billing, payments, calendars, cases, communications, conflicts, and documents. Select software that is easy to use and flexible to fit your needs. Look for features like cloud storage, paperless processing, online payment, and smartphone accessibility.  Read reviews to assess quality, scalability, support, and training.  Check your bar association for member discounts and preferred providers.  Use the resources listed below to select a vendor, implement software, and train staff.  Articles Accounting Software Benefits of Business Software Best Apps and Websites for AI Choosing and Using Law Firm Software Client Relationship Software  Digitally Transforming Yourself Questions to Ask Selection Criteria Solo and Small F...

Electronic delivery speeds the delivery of documents whether filing, collaborating, sharing,  or seeking signatures.  Assure timely and secure delivery by checking addresses and using encryption. Consider alternatives that work best for you, your clients, and co-counsel. Consider the electronic delivery alternatives listed below. Read the see resources listed below for additional tips and a list of providers for client portals.  Alternatives Client Portal - secure, but requires practice management software Cloud - convenient for collaborating and getting signatures E-mail - instantaneous, but security risks Fax - quick and secure, but requires hardware Articles Alternatives to Attachments Client Portals Digitally Signing Documents Email Security Ethical Guidelines Keeping Communications Confidential Protecting Documents with Encryption ,  Passwords, and Portals   Using Email to Communicate with Clients Securing Your Communications Sending Paper Documents Staying...

A majority of solo and small firms have integrated AI into their practice. Artificial intelligence and data analytics are powerful tools for automating repetitive tasks, crunching data, competing for clients, drafting documents, and generating ideas.  They can assist with analyzing, litigating, marketing, researching, summarizing, and writing.  Consult the practice management service of your state bar association for help implementing these tools. Contact legal technology vendors to learn the benefits cost of their products. For self-study, see the articles, books, and software listed below. Articles AI Tools for Lawyers , Emerj Blog, 2/1/2022. Automating and Creating with AI , Wall Street Journal, Feb. 20, 2023. Benefits of Artificial Intelligence , ABA News, July 2017. Best AI Apps and Websites , Wall Street Journal, 6/19/2024. Building AI into Law School Curriculums , Guardian, 7/13/2017. Changing the Legal Profession with AI , Business Law Today, 2/21/2022. Chatbots for La...

Get paid faster by screening new clients for ability to pay, requiring them to make deposits, and keeping them happy. Make it easy with timekeeping systems, billing software, monthly invoicing, and follow-up.  Facilitate quick payment by accepting credit cards and using online payment apps. Avoid fee disputes by communicating fee expectations and drafting client-friendly bills. For more tips, see the articles, books, software, and reviews lsted below.   Articles Accounting Software Accepting Electronic Payments Approaches to Collections Automating Timekeeping Avoiding Write-Offs Best Practices Billing Procedures Billing Software Billing Tips for New Lawyers Engagement Letters Ethics Getting Paid How to Invoice Clients Improving Billing and Collections Keeping Clients Happy Payment Apps Payment Systems Sample Billing Language Tips for Billing Software Trends   Using Retainers to Speed Collections Books Attorney-Client Agreements Drafting Bills Clients Rush to Pay Guid...

Volunteering helps lawyers to stay connected and make new contacts. Volunteers improve their sense of well-being, enhance their reputation, and attract clients to their firms. Start volunteering by visiting the ABA Directory of Volunteer Activities  and the ABA Pro Bono Website . See the articles listed below for volunteering tips and visit law Firm websites for examples of lawyers serving their communities.  Articles Benefiting from Community Service Branding Yourself with Community Service Building Your Community Presence Improve Well- Being by Donating Your Time and Money Giving Back to Your Community Helping Associates Do Pro Bono Marketing Power of Community Service Senior Lawyers Serving Pro Bono Supporting Your Community Young Lawyer Involvement Working on Political Campaigns Law Firm Websites Kean Miller (Baton Rouge) William Berenson (Ft. Worth) Kang Haggerty (Philadelphia) Chris Early  (Boston) Breakstone White & Gluck (Boston) John Day (Nashville) Chepe...

Social activities show appreciation and promote loyalty. They can also boost your firm's reputation when recruiting and marketing. Examples include virtual meet-ups, online staff meetings, team building activities, virtual challenges, webinars, etc.  Consider inviting family members to improve work-life balance.  See below for articles, books, checklists, and examples of firms websites and Facebook pages that mention  employee events. Articles Benefits   Event Ideas Planning Remote Activities Books Guide to Event Planning Meeting and Event Planning The Happy Lawyer Checklists Contracts Planning Law Firm Examples Mid-Size  (Flaster Greenberg, New Jersey) Spencer West  (Spencer West, England) Big Law  (Exemplary Facebook Pages)