Law Practice Tips

Prospective clients use articles to research legal problems and find legal representation Stand out from the competition by writing articles that demonstrate your expertise and show how you solve legal problems. Article writing is a low-cost way to attract and retain clients. Read on for tips about article writing and resources for marketing your legal services. Tips Articles – write articles for blogs, social media and firm websites. Audience – stay in touch with clients and attract prospects. Calendar - create an editorial calendar to publish articles on a regular basis. Frequency – set a goal of publishing articles monthly or quarterly. Handouts – distribute your articles at meetings and seminars. Newsletters – use newsletters to inform readers about legal developments and planning opportunities. Notes – send short handwritten notes to clients and referral sources for holidays and special occasions. Press Releases – announce new hires and bring attention to significant fi...

Start your retirement planning by mid-career. Begin by discussing retirement plans with a bar association advisor, CPA, financial consultant, or life coach. Then prepare a written plan with timeline, strategies, and tactics. Planning can bring positive results for you, your clients, and your firm. Consult the resources listed below for strategies to help you close or sell your practice. Following are tips for closing or selling a smal firm and links to resources for additional help. Tips Advisors - hire an advisor to assist with marketing, negotiation, and valuation. Agreement - use a “Buy Sell Agreement” to plan for the departure of a partner. Alternatives   – options include closing firm, designating a successor, reducing caseload, or selling. Ethics   – review ethical obligations to avoid infractions and pitfalls. Hiring – groom a young lawyer to replace an exiting lawyer. Insuring   - keep malpractice insurance for risks arising after closing or sale. License ...

Unless you use private browsing for your Windows computer, starting in February 2025 you will stay signed into your Microsoft account until you sign out (pr eviously, users were prompted to select whether to stay logged in). Below are tips for protecting your Apple and Windows accounts, browsing, email, and passwords. Tips Authentication - use Two Factor Authentication or an Authenticator to stop hackers. Manage Passwords  - use a password manager to create and store passwords. Physical Lock  - use a physical lock to protect your personal computer from theft. Screen Lock - set your computer to lock when inactive. Sign-Out - remember to sign out when using public or shared computers.  Private Browsing - unless on your personal computer, use private browsing (a/k/a incognito mode) with Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc.  Articles Avoiding Computer Theft Best Practices for a Mac Enabling Private Browsing Ensuring Data Security Locking Computers When Away Securing Your a Win...

Law firms are increasingly using chat tools to improve client communication. The tools answer questions, collect payments, make appointments, etc. They supplement communication by email, phone, and office visits.  The tools include chatbots, live chat, and text messaging apps. Below are strategies for implementing chat at your firm. Links are provided to articles, books, reviews, and samples for further study.   Strategies Alternatives – consider using chatbots, live chats, and text messaging. Audience – limit use to clients and prospects by requiring log-in with contact information. Monitor – seek feedback and test performance to protect reputation.   Notice  – mention the availability of chat on business cards, directory listings, etc. Script – keep answers short and simple; refer complex questions to consultations. Staffing – do-it-yourself or outsource to a virtual receptionist or website host Articles Benefits and Challenges Chatbots Client Intake Ethi...

About 5% of American adults experience mild cognitive impairment at some point in their lives. The incidence rate rises for older adults to about 20% by 70 and around 30% by 90. The onset of impairment is difficult to detect since it can come gradually and at any age. A common scenario is a decline in productivity, missed deadlines, and quality control issues. Lifestyle changes, medications, and therapies can help reverse, slow, or stop mental decline. Consider the following strategies to help co-workers, family, or friends who display symptoms of cognitive impairment. To implement the strategies, consult the articles, books, videos, and websites listed at the end of this post. Strategies Approach – use an indirect approach to avoid alarming the person suspected of cognitive impairment. Causes – become familiar with causes of impairment like Alzheimer's, medications, Parkingson's and substance abuse. Denial – stay calm and compassionate since denial is a coping mechanism. Di...

Camaraderie and healthy workstyles can improve happiness and productivity. The following are tips for staying healthy and social whether working in an office or at home. Tips Boundaries – set boundaries with clients and colleagues to reduce stress. Breaks – take breaks by standing up, stretching, and walking for bone/muscle health. Diet – snack on fruit and vegetables to boost your immune system. Ergonomics – upgrade chairs, desks, monitors, and keyboards to eliminate discomfort. Fitness  - exercise during the workday to maintain muscles and stay fit. Friendship – stay social with daily breaks for small talk and lunch with associates, clients, and friends. Hydration – drink 8 cups of water every day to keep joints lubricated and organs functioning. Pollution - use ultraviolet lights and a personal air purifier to improve air quality. Routine – establish a daily time for logging on/off from work to avoid burnout. Sleep - get 7 to 8 hours/night of uninterrupted sleep to resto...

More than 200,000 lawyers will be retiring in the next 10 years. To be prepared for this age wave, younger lawyers should seek mentoring and older lawyers should start planning. Below are planning tips and links to resources with more information.    Tips Advisors - consult insurance and financial advisors; contact state bar assistance programs. Career - consider working part-time or starting a new career.  Emergencies - be prepared in case you or an immediately family member are disabled. Health - exercise, eat nutritiously, and get health checkups to avoid issues. Housing - consider alternative housing for post-retirement years.  Insurance - plan for Medicare and supplemental insurance. Savings - determine whether you need to increase savings (or work longer). Articles Choosing Where to Retire Deciding When to Retire Exit Strategies Insuring Healthcare Mentoring Lawyers Planning Retirement Pre-Close Planning Thinking About Retirement Technology Considerations Work...

Generational differences motivate clients and lawyers. Marketing, recruiting, and supervising can be more effective when adjusted for these differences. See below for a list of generational differences and resources for accommodating them. Silent Generation (ages 79 to 99; born 1925 to 1945) Grew up during the depression and lived through World War II. Prefer paper and low tech. Hardworking, loyal, and respectful. May need legal assistance with legal aspects of elder care and elder abuse. Baby Boomers (ages 60 to 78; born 1946 to 1964) Born during the golden age of television. Veterans of Korean and Vietnam wars. Known for strong work ethic, loyalty to employers, and professionalism. May need estate planning for themselves and for family members with special needs Constitutes about 25% of the workforce. Generation X (ages 43 to 59; born 1965 to 1980) Declining birthrates and advent of personal computers. Lived during Watergate, Arab Oil Embargo, and Aids Crisis. Increasing exposure to ...

Below are tips for responding to emails from clients, lawyers, and prospects, Prompt replies improve goodwill, relationships, and reputations.  For more guidance, see the articles and books listed below. And for examples, see below for sample responses to website inquiries. Tips Attachments - summarize attachments and include a list at the end of  message. Automating  - automate replies to acknowledge receipt and provide timeline. Courtesy - be empathetic, polite, and positive.  Length - keep messages short (use attachments for long messages). Promptness  - respond within 24 hours. Subject - limit to a few words to improve visibility. Articles Accelerating Replies Automating Responses Chat Tools Client Portals Designing a Contact Page Do's and Don'ts Emailing Professionally Ethics of Email Handling Unsolicited Inquiries Responding to Lawyers Sign-Offs and Signature Blocks Using Forms Books Mastering Email Writing Professional Email Samples Family Law Advocates ...

Below are planning tips and resources to help implement them.  Planning can achieve goals and reduce stress. Start planning with an annual assessment and then create goals like improving relationships, managing caseloads, and work/life balancing. Put your goals into action with planning tools like apps, audits, budgets, checklists, and diaries. Work on one goal at a time to avoid overwhelming yourself.  Tips Budgets   – prepare annual budgets and monitor them monthly. Calendars  – try calendaring apps to record appointments, notes, and deadlines. Checkups  – use checklists and to-do lists to create action plans for cases and clients. Plans  –  create plans and periodically review them to identify areas for improvement. Technologies  – use apps and software to perform routine tasks.  Analog Tools Audits –  Firm  and  Individual . Budgets -  Operating ,  Cash Flow , and  Capital Expenditures . Calendars and Diaries...