6 Things Nobody Tells You About Building a Law Practice
By Anna Johansson • March 10, 2019 •Careers
When you first venture out on your own and decide to open up your own law practice, there’s unmistakable excitement and anticipation. There are also nerves and fears. But even the most experienced attorneys can’t possibly be prepared for everything that comes with building out a practice. 6 Untold Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities Going from attorney at someone else’s firm to an attorney with your own practice is a much more significant transition than most people realize. Practically, it comes with more responsibility and scheduling demands. Psychologically, it comes with greater pressure. But all of the pep talks and reading…
Vicarious Trauma: Do You Have To Carry Client Struggles Home?
By Anna Johansson • February 06, 2019 •Issues, Balancing Private and Professional Life
Being a lawyer is a stressful job; the hours are long, clients are in difficult situations, and every situation is an adversarial one. In certain legal specialties, though, client trauma can be particularly extreme, and this can lead to a state known as vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma occurs when someone is repeatedly exposed to another’s traumatic experiences. Overcome by hearing about other’s experiences, you may experience PTSD symptoms similar to that of your clients. It’s an unfortunate consequence of caring about people who have been harmed. Living with vicarious trauma is overwhelming and can even make it difficult for you…
The Confidence Equation: How To Stand Out As A New Face In Big Law
By Anna Johansson • January 31, 2019 •Careers
If applying for work at a prestigious law firm is anxiety-provoking, actually getting the gig can be even more frightening. Now you’re the new face in the office, surrounded by established lawyers, and that’s enough to trigger a serious case of imposter syndrome, especially as a woman. Do you really belong here? Will you succeed? The fact is, though finding your footing can be a challenge, doubting yourself won’t help. No, now is the time to fake it til you make it and even take some risks. As a new member of the team, you have little to lose and…
Medical Mistrust: Can Personal Experience Make You A Better Malpractice Attorney?
By Anna Johansson • January 24, 2019 •Careers
Editor's Note: All opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. When choosing a legal specialization, young lawyers face a number of pressures and influences. Excelling at a particular topic in school, demand for a particular specialization or associated income, and personal interest in a legal area, all come into play, and there’s no right way to choose. One factor that many lawyers consider, though, is their personal experience seeking legal help, especially if the system has failed them. This may be why so many women choose malpractice law as their area of specialization. Law Meets Medicine There are…
How to Improve Your Interactions With Clients With Disabilities
By Anna Johansson • January 24, 2019 •Careers, Other Career Issues
Eventually, you’ll likely find yourself engaging with clients who have mental or physical disabilities that prevent them from being able to converse normally, or otherwise force them to interact with their environment in nontraditional ways. If you’re not used to engaging with people who have disabilities, this can pose a challenge; how can you meet their needs while simultaneously remaining professional and getting all the information you need to do your job? Physical Accessibility One of the easiest steps you can take is ensuring that your office is physically accessible for people who have physical disabilities. For example, if you…
How to Develop Stronger Client Relationships
By Anna Johansson • January 10, 2019 •Careers
As an attorney, you’re only as good as your relationships. If you have the right relationships with the right people, you’ll always have business coming your way. And with that being said, one of the best things you can do for your business is develop a strategy for maintaining healthy client relationships. 4 Tips and Tricks for Better Client Relationships It’s been said that the client is often the most neglected party in civil or criminal litigation. As attorneys, we spend so much time focusing on strategy, communicating with other lawyers, reviewing paperwork, and interacting with the court that we…
Career Alternatives: Diversion Programs And Advocacy
By Anna Johansson • November 19, 2018 •Careers
Not every law degree leads to big law. No, for some of us, that training helps us make a difference in other ways, including through advocacy work. By working with diversion programs, for example, a growing group of legal professionals are finding ways to minimize inequitable consequences across the legal system and help marginalized individuals get back on the right track. How Diversion Works Diversion programs are increasing in popularity across the United States, addressing issues like alcohol and drug use, driving offenses, and even shoplifting and they typically target first time, low-level offenses. Additionally, among juvenile offenders, diversion programs…
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…
Breaking The Mold As A Woman In Male-Led Legal Specialties
By Anna Johansson • October 29, 2018 •Careers
Despite the growing number of women attending and completing law school, most women in the profession are familiar with the experience of being the only woman in a room full of men. In some specialties, however, this is the case more often than not, a result of self-segregation and because male clients hold male lawyers in higher regard. As such, when the client base is overwhelmingly male, such as in corporate law, sports law, and construction and industrial law, women lawyers are firmly in the minority. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your mark. If you want to succeed…