A lost summary judgment motion. A lowball offer to settle. The denial of an appeal. Lawyers frequently are the bearers of bad news.
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Practice management
An unprepared witness is a lost witness
When someone is called as a witness in any kind of legal matter, it’s usually a new and disturbing experience.
Read More »Firms look to nontraditional incentive offerings
Traditional employee offerings such as 401k, health insurance and vacation time might not be enough anymore.
Read More »Dangers lurk around ghost blogging
Blogging can be a cost-effective means of marketing, but when the writing is done by someone other than a lawyer, firms put themselves at risk of potential ethics violations.
Solos, small firms must plan ahead for succession
No one plans a heart attack or a car accident, and to some, retirement seems far away enough to put off planning.
Read More »LEGAL CENTS: Playing the name game
To answer your question, Mr. Shakespeare, there’s a lot in a name, especially when it’s associated with a law firm changing its name, even slightly.
Clerk competition fierce for positions with federal judges
Judge Pamela Pepper had to bite her tongue when she read in the cover letter for a clerkship position that the applicant was excited about working in “Seattle, one of my favorite cities.”
Read More »Leveraging motions in limine
Motions in limine can help deliver a jury win. Unfortunately, not all trial lawyers use motions in limine effectively.
Wisconsin firms tap in to manufacturing comeback
Two Wisconsin-based law firms are adopting new strategies to expand and better serve their manufacturing client bases to take advantage of the industry’s resurgence.
Read More »LEGAL CENTS: Finding and building niche practices
Sussex lawyer Dan Riegleman found his niche in the law in the late 1980s after talking to two brothers and a sister-in-law, all chiropractors, at a family gathering.
Fighting back: How to handle bullies in the courtroom, office
Bullies can be as prevalent in the courtroom as they are on the playground.
Read More »What to do when your business gets hacked
Lawyers have an ethical obligation to understand risks.
Read More »Out of office: Firms outsource support services to cut costs
Eager to cut costs, large firms nationwide are taking some of their employees out of the office.
Read More »What it takes to make partner
With the economy still recovering and a challenging job market for new law graduates, some have likened making partner at a medium or large law firm to winning the lottery.
LEGAL CENTS: Virtual law becoming a legal reality
Clients can deal with legal questions on their schedules, from their homes or businesses. Attorneys save a lot of money in bypassing the bricks-and-mortar office, and they can pass the savings on to clients.
Firms send employees back to school
Lawyering always has meant lifelong learning: keeping up with case law, regulations and statutes, as well as new developments in legal technology and continuing legal education.
Read More »Hold out for quality clients
If you, like many of your colleagues, have stocked your practice with clients that aren’t a good fit, you’ll spend much of your career feeling frustrated, unappreciated and resentful.
Ready for war: Lawyers need comfort, supplies, privacy when litigating out of town
Music group Van Halen was not being prima donnas when members requested all brown M&Ms be removed from bowls in their dressing rooms; they were just being cautious.
Things to consider before forming a small-firm partnership
It’s said that two is company, and three is a crowd.
Read More »Master the gentle art of persuasion
It goes without saying that unless your trial presentation is persuasive, you’re lecturing. And lecturing won’t win.
To email or not to email
Advances in technology have brought new modalities of communication — and a dizzying array of choices for interaction. But in the age of email, social media and texts, which options are best to use when consulting with clients over their cases?
Read More »Watching the clock: Tips for attorneys who want to boost billable hours
Wisconsin lawyers spend 37 percent of their time on work that goes unbilled, according to a national survey.
Read More »Keys to improving your tech planning
For many law firms, technology purchasing is based on reaction rather than planning.
Read More »LEGAL CENTS: Why your firm should consider Pinterest for marketing
When Pinterest comes up in conversation, typically it’s within the context of women talking about crafting or recipes.
Call of duty: Attorneys find benefits, pitfalls when offering full access
Passing the pager made life more predictable for Paul Bucher and his colleagues in the prosecutors’ office.
Read More »Avoiding the perils of the ‘accidental’ contract
Lightning-fast technologies now allow businesses to informally discuss and exchange key information about products, deliveries, quality and price — and conceivably enter into binding contracts with astounding alacrity.
Financial tips and tuneups: Healthy firms focus on details, embrace creativity
Succeeding as a solo or small-firm attorney requires being more than just a good lawyer.
Read More »A user’s guide to volunteering
Attorneys can profit in many ways from service on the boards of nonprofit organizations.
Read More »Rock-hard apps: Practice management tools for attorneys on the move
Practice management apps for smartphones and other portable devices are making it increasingly easier for lawyers to practice on the go.
Spreading the word: Testimonials can give attorneys a boost in business
The client sends an email or card saying thanks for a job well done.
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