Law Practice Tips

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...

QR codes look like an ink splotch and have data that point to a website or app. QR codes link to a unique webpage that can be bookmarked, emailed, or left in the form of an open page on a phone’s web browser. Join other professionals who use QR codes to attract prospects and improve client relations. Following are tips for using QR codes and links to resources with more information. Creating  – generate QR codes with an app or ask your stationery provider to create them.  Colorizing  – use colors to help your QR code stand out from others. Linking   – link QR codes to useful information like announcements, articles, and bios.  Logo  – insert a logo or photo in your   QR code to make it eye-catching.   Placing  – insert QR codes onto brochures, business cards, flyers, and pamphlets. Sizing  – QR Codes should be at least 1 inch in size or larger to make them readable. Tracking  – use data analytics to track cl...

Every day provides an opportunity to improve careers, finances, and lifestyles. Start by doing a y self-assessment and then create goals to achieve during the year. Use the following tips to inspire your tactics for a better life. Consult the resources below the list to help implement your strategy.  Tips Get Automated  —Use practice management software to automate accounting, billing, communications, dockets, and intake.  Keep a Calendar  —Keep track of appointments with a calendaring app, day planner, or desk calendar. Consider cloud-based apps that can be shared with others and viewed on your personal computer, smartphone, and other devices. Create group calendars for work and home. Reduce Distractions —Switch off the notification feature on devices to stay focused and reduce anxiety. Use the do-not-disturb feature on cell phones to avoid interruptions from calls and texts. Curate news on social media to limit time spent viewing them.  Set Goals  —Set me...

Improve lawyer performance with periodic reviews.  Use reviews to clarify expectations, identify areas for improvement, and monitor progress. Below are tips for conducting performance reviews and resources for further study.  Tips for Performance Reviews Avoid being confrontational Conduct reviews at least annually Don’t compare other lawyers or staff Establish firm-wide criteria Invite feedback and listen carefully Meet in a private location Schedule a time convenient date and time Set goals and dates for follow-up Take notes on performance  Articles Assessing Partner Performance Conducting Performance Reviews Do’s and Don’ts for Effective Evaluations Improving Lawyer Performance Managing Performance Maring Reviews Better Market Impact on Performance Reviews Performance Improvement Plans Preparing for Performance Reviews Responding to a Negative Review Reviewing Lawyer Performance Books  Attorney Evaluations Coaching Manager's Guide Handbook Performance Management T...