Break Up the “Conspiracy” by Resolving to Simplify This Year
“All professions are a conspiracy against the laity,” said George Bernard Shaw. In the legal profession, the best evidence of a conspiracy is the often impenetrable density and complexity of the law....
View ArticleFive Ways to Take Control of Your Invoicing Effectiveness
Lawyers in small firms don’t have large-scale technology systems or billing departments to help get invoices out the door. When the time comes to give a client an invoice, it is pretty much up to the...
View ArticleFive Business Development Basics for Associates
OK, for starters, don’t panic. I know the idea of bringing in clients can be daunting. Secretly, most associates seem to feel that success in this area is either unlikely or impossible. Most associates...
View ArticleWriting Lean in 2017
Many of us make resolutions to lose weight, exercise more frequently or improve our eating habits. This year, I challenge you to improve your writing habits and learn to write lean. Mark Twain famously...
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ABCs of Marketing and Business Development
Most lawyers make marketing and business development more complicated than needed. Developing new business — and keeping clients — isn’t rocket science. In fact, it’s as simple as ABC. Ask good...
View ArticleAbout Your Love Affair with the Hyphen
Some writers feel compelled to insert extra hyphens. Often they do it when they think they spot an adverb. Sometimes the offending word isn’t even functioning as an adverb; it’s part of a compound...
View ArticleDifferentiating Yourself from Less Ethical Competitors
More than once recently, I have consulted with a client and heard stories of their contact with other lawyers working in my field. Sometimes their stories confirm that I am giving similar advice, but...
View ArticleFive Tech Tools Every Lawyer Should Be Using
Whether you’ve been practicing for one year or 25 years, you’ve likely come across an array of emerging tech tools and services designed to help you improve your law practice. As the industry moves...
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Check Your Business Development Vital Signs
You know by now (did you ever not?) that it takes more than your business card and an open door to draw clients into your law office. And while you may have devised your marketing plan and work it to...
View ArticleHow to Kickstart Your Year So It’s Super Productive
The start of a new year always brings a renewed desire for change, a sense of wanting to improve. It’s a really good feeling. Wanting to be better, do better and serve others better is an excellent...
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Even Lawyers Need to Play
Captain Kirk, in a TV episode of “Star Trek,” says, “The more complex the mind, the greater the need for the simplicity of play.” Playing is not something I do easily or often. Even in my youth, it was...
View ArticleWhat You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You
I’m often reminded of a situation that happened several years ago. I was sitting in a building lobby killing time before an appointment. In the lobby was a small coffee shop. The line was long — out...
View ArticleClient Satisfaction Surveys: Five Quick Questions to Ask
Lawyers often resist the idea of conducting client satisfaction surveys: They don’t believe people will be honest unless they have complete anonymity, and they don’t believe clients will take the time...
View ArticleShake Your Moneymaker: Get Paid in 2017
Lawyers and money do not go together like peas and carrots. Actually, let me rephrase that: Lawyers and talking about money do not go together like peas and carrots. Lawyers and managing money do not...
View ArticleDesk-icide: Seven Ways Your Workplace Is Making You Sick
Sitting for long hours, indoors, staring at a computer and shoveling in bad food at work isn’t just a bad idea, it can be devastating to your health. I know, it seems almost counter-intuitive: Worker...
View ArticleConvert Post-Speech Inquiries into Real Demand
Congratulations. Your speech to the International Biometrics Association was a hit. A line of people are waiting to congratulate you and pay compliments. Many are simply being kind and expressing...
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Meet Joanne Wheeler, Space Lawyer
What is an “enterprising lawyer”? Actually, they are easy to spot. Look for the more engaged and happy lawyers in the crowd — deeply invested in the power of the unique work they do. You probably know...
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Tech Tips: Keeping Your Calendar Under Control
Does it seem like you spend more time figuring out your calendar (or calendars) than getting things done? Today practice management technology experts Heidi Alexander, Tom Lambotte, Catherine Sanders...
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On Writing Better With WordRake Software
Lawyers are judged by the written words we put on websites and promotional materials and in our primary work products, be they briefs, contracts, leases, warrants or wills. In an analog world, work...
View ArticleDeparting Your Law Firm Partnership: First Steps
So the time has come for you to depart your law firm. Maybe your book of business has outgrown the firm. Maybe the firm has charted a course that doesn’t include you. Maybe you just need a change....
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