Law Practice Tips

The ABA has several resources to help lawyers secure their computers, communications, and data.  Start by reading the ABA’s  Roadmap for Cybersecurity  and then learn how to be cybersecure with t he ABA’s guide to Cybersecurity for the Home and Office . For additional resources, visit the ABA’s Legal Technology Resource Center  for free access to practical articles and free consultation with a technology specialist.

Be proactive to avoid hackers that steal contacts, data, email, photos, and texts. Do not click on links or download documents when using a smartphone. Be safe by installing updates, limiting the number of apps, and using an authenticator on your phone. Enable filtering so that texts from unknown senders are segregated from other senders. Use your phone's hotspot (instead of public Wi-Fi networks) to connect laptops and tablets to the Internet. Click here to learn more about protecting yourself and your phone. And click here for a slideshow about smartphone security.

Despite the proliferation of electronic communications, business cards remain an effective tool for networking and marketing. Use them for m arketing, networking and to reach out to people who prefer an analog experience. See below for links to samples and articles about using and and designing business cards Articles Benefits Designing Distinctive Cards QR Codes Rainmaking Using Samples 99 Designs.com Examples.com Vistaprint.com

In-house training can improve skills and productivity for both lawyers and staff. Training can skills needed to compete for clients like marketing and law office technology. Training can be accomplished with self-study using articles, books, and online seminars available for free from bar organizations and legal vendors. Click here for a list of bar associations that provide training assistance and  read articles to learn more about alternative approaches ,  personal coaches , paralegal training ,  staff training , technology training ,  and  training trends . Consider giving new attorneys Hermann's  Guide to Practicing Law  or giving them a career coach . 

The ABA recently published  9 articles summarizing the results of its 2022 Annual Survey of Law Firm Technology.  One of the articles is devoted to trends for solos and small. Firms. The other articles cover trends in Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Firm Culture, Management, Marketing, Training, Websites and Well-Being. Click here  for a page with links to the articles.

Happy clients pay bills timely, bring new cases, and refer prospects. Improve your client relations with welcome emails, client surveys, providing live chat at websites, going visiting clients at their offices.  . Display the  10 Commandments of Client Relations  in your Reception Area to let clients and staff know that relations are important at your firm .  Read articles about client relationship software ,  keeping clients happy ,  improving the client experience , and what clients want . For in depth study, read ABA books about Business Etiquette ,  Relationship-Driven Lawyering  and Using the Power of Relationships to Transform Your Firm and Yourself .

Technology is increasingly used by lawyers to automate legal tasks, improve client relations, and manage law practices. Recent Innovations have made devices and systems more affordable and easier to adopt.  Click here for an article about affordable technologies for lawyers and resources for implementing them at your firm.  And click her e for an article about technology trends. Also read about the ethical obligation of technological competence .