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Lawyer Wellness Initiatives…State by State!
By Megan Kelley • November 19, 2018 •Careers, Other Career Issues, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life
This year, the world seems to be becoming more fit and active. It is so nice seeing people getting outside and breathing in the fresh air. People all over our communities are really taking an interest in fitness, wellness programs, and self care. In a career where there is a high mortality rate due to suicide, as well as industry wide problems with stress and substance abuse, Bar Associations all over America are providing assistance for their members. Let’s check some out: Alabama-Has established a Quality of Life Task Force for attorneys as of August 2018. The Task Force…
Be Aware of Warning Signs of Instability in Young Lawyers
By Susan Smith Blakely • November 15, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
The facts shared this week in an open letter from the widow of a Sidley lawyer were shocking and heartbreaking. The suicide of a 42-year-old partner in the LA office raised many issues of our responsibilities as lawyers to our colleagues. It was discovered too late that this suicide victim suffered from a form of perfectionism that created so much pressure, anxiety and insecurity that the only way out seemed to be to take his own life. If those facts came as a complete shock to everyone around him, that would give those of us in the profession some relief. It…
The 5 Best Ways To Build Your Reputation As A Lawyer
By Dennis Hung • November 13, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
Lawyers live on their reputations. Have a good reputation as a lawyer and you can pretty well write your own check. Have a spotty or unclear reputation and people are not going to know what to make of you. Entire practices have had to shutter themselves in the past due to not having the kind of solid reputation that successful firms have been able to hang their hat on. Today we are going to explore some of the ways that everything from clever advertising to strategic HR can be used to build your reputation. Strong Advertising One thing that…
5 Things To Know About Real Estate Law
By Dennis Hung • November 12, 2018 •Careers, Politics and Government, Law School, Choosing a Career and Landing a Job
If you are a real estate investor, then you should know about the law that dictates the field where you are placing your money. After all, you want to protect and grow your nest egg, not put it at risk. If you don't understand the basics, then you could be put in a situation where your finances are risking catastrophe before you even know it. So here are 5 things you should understand: Residential Rights If you own rental property, then you should know that your tenants have certain rights that might not be obvious at first. Of course,…
The Right Way To Brand Personal Injury Work, Promoting Without Pushing
By Anna Johansson • November 09, 2018 •Careers
The television show Better Call Saul may play on all the most egregious stereotypes of the personal injury lawyers, but isn’t there always some truth behind the stereotype? The fact is, some personal injury lawyers can be aggressive in their marketing tactics, and it’s a red flag that something is amiss, and savvy potential clients know to steer clear. Still, if you’re going to stand out from other personal injury firms, you need to show that you’re different from other firms. You need a strong brand. Establishing Your USP Marketing’s basic premise is that, in order to attract clients, you…
Why Women Lawyers Should Consider Service on a Public Board or Commission
By Claire Parsons • November 09, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Politics and Government, Issues, Other Issues
This week, a historic number of women were elected to Congress and a record number of women ran in and won other races nationwide. If I had to pick a single word to describe this situation, it would be this: awesome. We need more women and diverse voices in government. But what you may not have heard about in the coverage of the recent elections is that the need to increase the representation of women extends to unelected government positions as well. In particular, women do not make up a fair proportion of the people serving on state and local…
Tips for New Lawyers to Understand Expectations of Their Law Firm
By Dennis Hung • November 08, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
If you are a new lawyer, first of all, congratulations are definitely in order. However, after being hired on to the legal firm, you hopefully are aware that now the real work begins. Ask any experienced attorney, and they will tell you that it can take years to develop a solid, well-respected reputation. It will all start with attention to detail. Now that you are the newest associate in a legal firm, you will need to know how to look like the newly-minted professional that you are. How do you go about doing this? Here are some things to consider:…
Starting A Law Firm In Your Hometown: What to expect
By Dennis Hung • November 02, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Other Career Issues
Law school typically prepares lawyers to join established firms. Many, however, want to strike out on their own. If you want to start your own firm, you might think that the best place to do is in your own hometown. Before you start looking at office space, though, you should make sure to that you know what to expect when you start practicing law. Learning the Business Unfortunately, law school rarely teaches you how to open your own firm. While there might be specialized classes taken by some students, the truth is that you'll have to figure out how…
Swimming Lessons for Baby Sharks: Practical Advice for New Lawyers
By Grover E. Cleveland • November 02, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
Q: I need to start paying more attention to business development. But it’s very hard to keep up with that when I am really busy. And it’s not my favorite thing to do anyway. Are there things I can do to “force” myself to be more consistent about business development? A: It’s always easiest – and often essential – to do urgent things first. But as you realize, there can be a cost to letting business development languish. Here are some tips that may help: Set modest goals. Particularly if you are busy, it may be easier for you to…