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5 Things Busy Lawyers Can Do to Find the Time to Exercise
By Claire Parsons • August 22, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life
Late last year, I started exercising regularly again after a long period of doing hardly anything at all. It wasn’t until this happened that I realized how much I missed physical activity. Law practice, after all, is not something that lends itself well to movement or even sensory stimulation. Instead, lawyers often spend long hours cooped up in an office and huddled over a computer or stacks of documents. We also tend to keep long hours, have little control over our schedules, and may feel at the end of the day like we have little else to give.…
Dress the Part: How to Present Yourself as a Professional Lawyer
By Dennis Hung • August 21, 2018 •Careers
We have all prepared for an important job interview or meeting and one thing that we all go over is how to look good to make a great first impression. Studies have found that part of someone's first impression of you is not only based on how you hold yourself but also how you dress and the kind of shoes you're wearing. Can you imagine how much is based on the more noticeable articles of clothing and accessories you wear? Some hate to admit it, but how you present yourself in and around the courtroom matters. People want to…
Mobile Apps Are a Resource Law Firms Can No Longer Afford to Ignore
By Dennis Hung • August 20, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector
Enterprise mobile apps provide a range of features and benefits that attorneys and law firms can no longer afford to overlook. From increased visibility to brand management and promotional strategies, firms may be able to utilize apps in much the same way as commercial businesses. While the ever-growing number of reasons why businesses need a mobile applications are commonly known, there are plenty of benefits to be had by law firms and those who provide legal services that may warrant consideration. Brand Management Reputation, image and prestige can all be key assets for a firm, especially those who may…
Five Small Ways You Can Combat the Motherhood Penalty
By Amanda Norris Ames • August 20, 2018 •Careers, Firms and the Private Sector, Other Career Issues, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life, Mentoring and Networking, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination
The ABA recently released research from its inquiry into why women leave the law. The study revealed issues all too familiar to many practicing female attorneys--discrimination, salary dissatisfaction, caregiving responsibilities that are incompatible with the pace of practice. And while the ABA’s efforts are ongoing, I was surprised to see a lack of focus on what numerous other studies have dubbed the “motherhood penalty”--or the earnings (and corresponding promotion) gap between mothers and non-parents in the workplace. Research shows a significant decline in a woman's earnings after the birth of her first child, with that disparity continuing throughout her career.…
#MeToo Meets Big Law: How Gender Imbalance Shapes The Workplace
By Anna Johansson • August 18, 2018 •Careers
Women have long struggled to find equal footing in the legal profession, but despite growing numbers of female lawyers, gender imbalance in the workplace continues to put us at a disadvantage. In light of the recent #MeToo movement addressing sexual assault and harassment, however, female lawyers are beginning to address the ongoing harassment that is often part and parcel for women in law practices, courtrooms, and other legal settings. But will these efforts create change? Imbalances In Big Law Law firms are unique relative to many other professional settings because the hours are long, individuals in the same practice may…
5 Things to Consider About Potential Clients
By Anna Johansson • August 18, 2018 •Careers
Client acquisition is one of the keys to being successful as a lawyer, but be wary of moving too fast. Before bringing on a new client, there are some important things you need to consider. 5 Things to Think About Consultations are part of being a lawyer. If your practice or firm is like most, you offer free or low-cost initial meetings to get to know prospective clients and discuss their options. In these consultations, you’ll want to spend time feeling out the individual across the table. Here are a few specific things to consider: 1. Common Client Questions Once…
5 Ways To Bond With Your Law Firm Coworkers
By Dennis Hung • August 15, 2018 •Careers, Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life
Whether finding a new job or being moved through an acquisition, the process of starting anew is always met with some anxiety and anticipation. There are new people to meet, different workflows to learn, and a new work environment to get accustomed to. To help ease this transition, here are five ways to bond with your coworkers. 1. Talk New employees often make the mistake of laying low and keeping quiet for the first few months. The desire to go unnoticed and blend-in is strong when starting a new job. Whether it’s a fear of confrontation or making a…
Women in the Legal Field & the #MeToo Conversation
By Jennifer Hemmer • August 14, 2018 •Ms. JD, Careers, Other Career Issues, Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination, Other Issues, Features, Myths & Truths
Regardless of a woman’s age, race, location, career or economic status, most have either experienced sexual harassment first-hand or know of someone who has. With the numerous allegations made in the past year against Harvey Weinstein and dozens of other powerful figures in Hollywood, the media and politics, and the explosion of the #MeToo movement, the prevalence of sexual harassment in American society has never been more exposed than it is right now. There has not been a formal study conducted on sexual harassment specifically in the legal field, until now. Lauren Stiller Rikleen, founder and President of the Rikleen Institute for…
Interview with Recent Grad Alexa Galloway - On the Field: Women in Sports Law
By Tatum Wheeler • August 09, 2018 •Writers in Residence, Careers, Law School, Internships and Clerkships, Issues, Sexism, Sexual Harassment, and Other Forms of Discrimination, Women and Law in the Media
I’m delighted to introduce Alexa Galloway, a recent graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law and former Law School Toolbox author. A former Cape Cod Baseball League field reporter, Alexa most recently worked as a Legal Intern for Santa Clara University Athletics. Hey, Alexa! Thanks for joining us. First and foremost, congratulations on finishing law school! What are your short-term and long-term goals? Alexa: Well, my short, short-term goal is to pass the bar. Following that, I hope to work in civil litigation and get as much trial experience as possible. By attending conferences and speaking with attorneys in the…