Law Practice Tips

Law offices are subject to several security risks - burglary, sabotage, theft, unauthorized access, and workplace violence. Learn how to protect your firm by reading articles about office security  and best practices . Use a security checklist to assess your firm's security and then adopt a security policy . Follow-up with a safety meeting to insure that lawyers and staff are made aware of safe practices and firm policy. 

Client portals can be added to firm websites to secure communications and improve client relations for small and large law firms. Client portals are commonly used by accounting, financial, healthcare organizations, but less frequently used by law firms The cost of adding a portal is nominal. See below for resources including, articles, examples, and review of providers.   Articles Benefits of Client Portals Comparing Email and Portals Guide to Using Client Portals Setting Up a Client Portal Using Portals to Collaborate Virtual Firms Require Client Portals Why Your Firm Needs a Portal Books Guide for Onboarding Clients Paperless in One Hour Virtual Law Practice Reviews Standalone software Package Software Portals for Small Firms Samples Book Law Firm (Solo, Frisco, TX) M.C. Thomas & Associates (Small Firm, Mid-Atlantic) Osorio Cachaya (Small Firm, White Plains, NY) Platt Law Firm (Small Firm, Atlanta, GA) Larry Weiss (Small Firm, Ambler, PA) Webinars Client Portals (ABA) S

Lawyers are vulnerable to hackers who seek access to emails that contain information about cases and clients.  Protect yourself and your clients by encrypting your emails, creating passwords for attacments, and connecting to virtual private networks. When away from your office, use your cellular provider to connect to the Internet (instead of public WiFi). See the articles for more information. Articles   Anti-phishing Tools and Services Encryption and Client Portals Click Protecting Email Privacy and Security Safely Using Email Books Cybersecurity for Dummies Lawyers Handbook on Cybersecurity  

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 .