Can Art Increase Productivity in Law Firms?
By Anna Johansson • April 16, 2018 •Careers
Some people naturally assume that art in the workplace is merely decorative. But what if art is more than something we look at? What if it actually plays a role in how we think, process, and work? Well, research suggests that it does. In fact, the relationship between art and productivity is so strong that many law firms are incorporating art in an effort to boost output. The Relationship Between Art and Productivity Outside of trendy startups and tech companies in Silicon Valley, most office workspaces are pretty muted and conservative. Words like sterile, clean, and sanitized come to mind.…
How Stories Can Help You Build Your Practice
By Anna Johansson • March 27, 2018 •Careers
Reputation is a massive challenge to overcome for new law firm founders. When people seek legal counsel, they often gravitate toward the firms with the most successful track records, the most significant experience, and the most impressive name power; if you’re just starting out, you won’t have had the time or case experience necessary for any of these factors. Fortunately, there’s an unlikely strategy that can help you establish and grow your reputation from scratch: storytelling. Why Stories Are So Powerful Storytelling may seem overly basic, but it’s a communication method that works well for multiple mediums; you can use…
Social Proof: A Lawyer’s Answer to Stiff Online Competition
By Anna Johansson • March 27, 2018 •Careers
The internet has done marvelous things for small law firms and local attorneys who previously found it difficult to gain exposure on a very limited marketing budget. But it’s also had the effect of increasing competition. If you want to stand out in today’s highly competitive marketplace, you have to do two things: (1) enhance visibility, and (2) build trust. There’s plenty of advice circulating around online about how to increase visibility and generate traffic. In this article, we’re going to address the second component. More specifically, we’re going to discuss how you can use social proof to build trust.…
Looking The Part: How Important Are Lawyer Stereotypes?
By Anna Johansson • March 19, 2018 •Careers
What does a lawyer look like? In a world full of stereotypes, the word ‘lawyer’ typically conjures up images of older men in suits, holding forth in front of a courtroom or handling a tough negotiation. For young women just breaking into the legal field, then, these stereotypes pose particular challenges. How do you break old-fashioned and sexist models while still earning clients’ trust? In order to strike a balance between oppressive tradition and authenticity, your best bet is to focus on professionalism in its broadest sense. These 3 strategies can help you project that polished image, even if you…
Your Name First And Other Ways To Stand Out From The Pack
By Anna Johansson • March 09, 2018 •Careers
Look at the names of law firms. What do you notice? Generally a short list of names, they’re almost all men’s surnames – and a man’s name is always first. So for young women breaking away from Big Law and striking out on their own, branding your law firm is an exciting opportunity. It’s a chance to stand out and to put your name first. Partner Position In general, the name of a law firm is generally those of the current or original partners involved, or just your name if you’re practicing solo. And while this seems straightforward on the…
How Women Are Improving Legal Practices For Everyone
By Anna Johansson • March 03, 2018 •Careers
One of the hardest parts of being a lawyer is that you’re expected to work long hours, and while this stress has historically weighed heavier on women who are still viewed as primary caregivers, the tide is starting to turn. By fighting for greater flexibility and sustained work-life balance, female lawyers have made the law a more sustainable career path for everyone. Overworked By The Billable Hour Lawyers are chronically overworked as they try to maximize their billable hours, but that doesn’t mean every lawyer wants to work until they drop. Rather, in order to avoid functioning on overdrive, many…
5 Tips for Your First Day in Court
By Anna Johansson • March 02, 2018 •Careers
A court appearance is a rite of passage for law students, even if you expect to spend little time in court after graduation. Some attorneys will take many cases to court, while others will handle business behind closed doors. But experience in court is worthwhile for all law students. During your first case, your hands might be shaking, your heart racing, and your blood pounding in your ears. Despite the nerves, you know you have to perform well. Time is the best mentor, but a few pointers can make your first court experience a success. 1. Be Thoroughly Prepared Your…
Make Your Presence Known: Tips For Building Your Law Website
By Anna Johansson • March 01, 2018 •Careers
In the competition that is big law, women are more likely than men to opt out and enter independent practice – and there are plenty of reasons for that. First, sexism is still a serious barrier to women’s inclusion in major firms, and second, for those invested in maintaining work-life balance, independent practice is the place to be. If you’re going to break off from an established practice, though, you’re going to need to build your own online presence. Building your professional online presence isn’t easy, but luckily, plenty of lawyers have been there before. Take a few cues from…
The Elephant in the Room: Paying Off Law School Loans
By Anna Johansson • February 06, 2018 •Careers
As someone who has been through four years of undergraduate and another three years of law school, you know better than almost anyone just how expensive student loans can be. The question is, will you pay them off or let them control your life for decades to come? Short-Term Sacrifices Lead to Long-Term Gains When you’re young and starting out in your career, it’s often hard to see the big picture. The palpability of the moment leads you to believe that your present experiences will be indicative of your future reality, when the truth is that you sometimes have to…