Law Practice Tips

Warning signs of anxiety include excessive worry, chronic fatigue, constant irritability, gastrointestinal distress, nagging fear, and inadequate sleep. To avoid anxiety, keep connected with family and friends, schedule weekly exercise sessions, make time for social activities and structure your days. Seek the help of a coach or psychologist if you are unable to overcome your anxiety. For additional tips, see the articles, books and websites listed below. Articles Avoiding Burnout Battling Depression Being Mindful Clearing Hazards   Clinical Depression Crying to Relieve Anxiety Decision Fatigue Defusing Time Pressure Diagnosing Anxiety   Foods to Fight Depression Maintaining Mental Health Managing Stress Fighting Forgetfulness Overcoming Anger and Anxiety Preventing Burnout Seeking Professional Help Recognizing and Treating Depression Stopping Social Media Overload   Staying Calm Thriving with Anxiety   Books Guide to a Satisfying Practice   Models for Happy Lawyers   Techniques for Fe

Burnout can lead to career changes, low morale, and reduced productivity. Individuals can avoid burnout by getting support, reducing workloads, seeking affection, staying socially connected, and taking sabbaticals. Firms can prevent burnout by offering part-time tracks, providing socialization, and reducing stress.  For more tips, consult the articles, books, and websites listed below.   Articles Adopting Bar Initiatives   Assessing Social Media Use Avoiding information Overload Being Mindful Coping with Job Pressure Crying to Relieve Stress Hiring a Burnout Advisor Organizing Social Activities Preventing Lawyer Burnout Promoting Well-Being Recognizing Problems Preventing Burn-Out Protecting Attention Smiling for Well-Being Walking to Reduce Stress Well Being With Water Therapy Books   Addicted to Busy Preventing Burnout The Happy Lawyer Websites Lawyer Well-Being   Very Well Mind   Work-Life Balance

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

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

An impressive logo establishes your firm’s professional presence and helps it stand out from the competition. Logos can be used on printed materials like brochures, business cards, and stationery. They can also be used on electronic media like e-mail, firm websites, and social networking.  Make your logo distinctive with colors, design, and imagery.  For more tips, read articles about building a brand ,  choosing a firm name ,  creating a firm logo ,  illustrative examples , and types to consider . Also see below for links to creative logos used by small law firms with injury, family, and criminal law practices. Samples of Logos Used by Small Firms Bicycle  (Law office of Jeffrey Glassman, Boston MA) Monogram Incorporating Initials of Firm Name (Abdo Law Firm, Clinton, MI) Animal  (David Wolf, Jacksonville, FL)  Abstract  (Sandy Fox, Miami, FL)

Landing pages are web pages that visitors find by following links in an ad, email, or social media post. They can be used a s a destination for blogs, bios, client events, and marketing campaigns. Landing pages help convert prospects into paying clients and track the results of advertising.  They can be made accessible by inserting links in online advertisements. They can also be publicized by using QR codes on print materials like brochures and business cards. For additional tips, read the articles and books listed below. Also see the samples of landing pages used by law firms with their pay per click advertising.  Articles Benefits of Landing Pages Creating a Lawyer Landing Page Designing Websites Improving Websites Marketing with QR Codes Sample of Law Firm Landing Pages Using Landing Pages for Marketing Books Getting More Clients Law Firm Marketing Tactics Marketing Firms on the Internet Standing out from the Competition Samples Edwards Law Firm  (Family Law, Atlanta) Glassman Law

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 Unretirement Trends Things You Should Know About Working Past 65 Working A

The ABA's 2021 Tech Survey reported that a majority of firms use non-lawyers to administrative and marketing activities.  Preserve billable time by using  an assistant. Delegate activities like client intake, maintaining websites, publishing articles, posting to social media, and updating directory listings.  Use the resources listed below to affordable find help for administrative tasks and law firm marketing. Alternatives Associations - seek help from the ABA or local bar associations  Consulting - use a website developer or public relations firm Delegating - assign marketing responsibilities to an assistant or associate Hosting - subscribe to a service that host law firm websites  Staffing - hire a marketing assistant; consider using an intern or student worker Vendors - seek advice from vendors of software for client relations and practice management Websites - visit websites with marketing resources  Articles Benefitting From a Marketing Assistant Daily Marketing Activities Em

You can make your office a safer workplace by upgrading HVAC systems to improve air quality, moving work stations father apart to facilitate social distancing, and installing touchless technology to enhance hygiene. Learn how to make offices safer by reading articles about  office design  and healthy workspaces ,  watching  WSJ's video  on office trends, and visiting C&W's website  on design insights. Improve your office efficiency reading CAP's book  about organizing law offices.

Below are strategies for getting workers back to the office and resources for implementing them.  Strategies   Amenities - offer amenities like snacks, meals, social events, and upgraded workspaces. Apps  - alert employees to apps for for ordering meals, scheduling meetings, and communicating Fitness  - provide time and space for exercise during the workday Flexibility - accommodate  those with medical or personal needs by allowing them to continue working remotely. Makeover - upgrade offices by adding a lounge area, exercise equipment, and outdoor space Health - protect health by improving air quality and providing anti-microbial office supplies Policies - adopt  policies to allow remote working a few days a week. Articles Air Quality at Work (NY Times, Sep. 13, 2021) Bosses Want Workers Back (Washington Post, Aug. 31, 2022) Dispensing With Masks (Fortune, Aug. 31, 2022). Encouraging Workers to Return (ABA Journal, Oct. 26, 2021) Enticing Workers Back to the Office (Wall Stre

Continually review your law firm website to keep it current and comply with evolving ethical requirements. Avoid ethical complaints by using  a short disclaimer at the bottom of each page with a link to a detailed Disclaimer Page.  Add a Policy Page to comply with laws governing privacy. For more information, see the resources listed below and  consult your state bar association.  Articles ABA Modernizes Marketing Rules Best Practices for Privacy Policies Disclaimers for Firm Blogs and Websites Ethical Guide to Lawyer Marketing Ethical Guidelines for Websites Guide to Website Design Overview of Online Ethics for Lawyers   Books Ethics and Technology Legal Ethics and Social Media Marketing on the Internet   Forms Jennifer Ellis Blog Louisiana Legal Ethics Blog Samples Disclaimers Cardone Firm (New Orleans) - personal Injury Lubiner, Schmidt & Palumbo (Newark) - criminal immigration and traffic Mehr, Fairbanks & Peterseon (Lexington) - disability, insurance, and personal inj

Working remotely can isolate, harm mental health, and reduce productivity. You can help remote workers by keeping them in the loop with weekly team meetings and monthly firm events.  Encourage remote workers to come into the office for several days each week and make them feel welcome with lockers and systems for reserving workspace. For more remote working tips, see the Mobile Worker Toolkit and  Checklist for Helping Remote Employees . Read articles about adjusting to the new normal ,  avoiding loneliness , building a remote culture ,  engaging remote workers , making hybrid work better ,  managing remote staff , preventing burnout , social isolation , soothing burnout , summer remotes , and  tips remoting tips . For further study, read FM's guide to  permanently switching to a remote workforce  and the ABA's book about Lawyer Well-Being . Also visit well-being websites created by the ABA  and the Institute for Lawyer Well-Being . 

Free listings are available from Yelp, Google, and lawyer directories like Martindale-Hubbell, Justia.com, FindLaw,com, LawInfo.com, and SuperLawyers.com. Below are tips for creating listings and resources for improving them.   Tips Assignment - Start by assigning responsibility to a staff member for creating and updating directory listings. Budgeting - Consider paying for premium features  to improve your firm’s visibility.  Content - Include affiliations, names, bio's, publications, specializations, and links to social media accounts.   Directories   -  Listing in multiple directories will make your firm findable and improve your rankings on search engines like Bing and Google. Ethics - Carefully examine your options and comply with ethical requirements. Tracking - Consider using an app to track results and optimize benefits from directory listings. Articles Creating Directory Listings Digital Marketing for Lawyers Google Listings Google Reviews Managing Directory Listings U

Returning to the office can improve collaboration, productivity, and work/life balance.  However, many lawyers have delayed returning  due to f amily  situations,  health issues, or personal preferences.  Law firms can accelerating the return by allowing flexibility and promoting  health and well-being . Following are additional tips and resources for lure lawyers back to offices. Communication . K eep  lawyers connected  and inform ed  about office planning using conferencing, emails, and memos.      Environment . Improve  working conditions by  reconfiguring workspaces, add ing   touchless options ,  and modernizing  décor .  Create a welcoming e nvironment that makes people feel comfortable and relaxed.      Flexibility .  Allow  lawyers and staff to work remotely  for  a few days  per  week.  Give lawyers and staff the ability to  select  days in the office  and reserve  workspace .      Fun .  Encourage  camaraderie with weekly lunches, monthly social events,  firm newsletters,  a

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 undergraduate college or law school. Timing  - attend CLE pr