Law Practice Today

April 2007

Forgotten Colleagues

by Michael S. Greco
In recent decades, law firms have hired more women and people of color, but are they leaving out those with disabilities? Opening the doors to the entire pool of available talent takes more than honest intentions. Here, Michael Greco provides the steps to improve your firm's hiring process and promote equality in the profession.

When Resolving Your Clients' Legal Issues, Don't Forget the Court of Public Opinion

by Janet Ellen Raasch
Partnering with an outside consultant can be beneficial for both your firm and your clients. Specialized in issue-oriented research and communications, they can do a great deal to influence the court of public opinion.

Sponsored Column

Technology Tips

Acrobat 8: New Examine Document Feature

sponsored by Adobe Systems, Inc.
Avoid the hazards of accidental disclosure when e-mailing documents. Learn how the new Examine Document feature in Acrobat 8 makes it possible.

Columns

Monthly Marketing Brief

A Model Business Development Expense Reimbursement Policy for Your Firm

by Bob Weiss
Business development is obviously a necessary expense, but often, firms are lacking the standards for reimbursement of these expenses. Consider these suggestions to get a policy set in place.

Management Tips and Tricks

Making Law Firm Leadership More Effective

by Edward Poll
Large law firms are starting to resemble corporate entities, however, there is some variation in management styles. Take a few pointers from the business world by clearly defining the roles of your leaders, facilitating effective communication and sorting out management issues.

Management by Agreement

The Law of Agreement

by Stewart Levine
The omnipresent Law and Principles of Agreement may be simple to understand, but hard to apply. As we delve deeper into the meaning and value of these laws, effective collaboration and synergy can at last become a shared vision.

Departments

Marketing

Marketing Strategy: The Foundation to Building a Successful Law Practice

by Greg Ehrlich
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a business is neglecting to define a clear strategy. This guide sets forth goals and communicates to stakeholders where you are headed and how you plan to achieve results. From selecting a strategy to developing a unique marketing plan, the future success of your firm starts here.

Management

Asking the Right Questions

by Wendy L. Werner
A typical interview process commonly lacks accurate presentation of both the interviewee and interviewer. To find a suitable match, look to these basic questions that may yield a more accurate portrayal of both parties.

Finanace

Managing People, Process & Strategy for Increased Profitability: How Human Resource Departments Can Leverage Technology to Become a Strategic Profit Center

by Shafiq Lokhandwala
Studies have shown that companies using software to efficiently manage their human capital components are seeing a greater profit and competitive stance. By automating routine HR tasks, you can focus on developing your workforce and building your strategic direction. What is the key component of your firm's ongoing success? Your HR department.

Upcoming CLE

ManagementConflicts and Conflict Waivers

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Program Summary

In the modern practice of law, failure to recognize and appropriately deal with conflicts of interest can expose lawyers in law firms to disqualification, malpractice allegations, and grievances. In this live teleconference and audio webcast, our knowledgeable panelists will examine the ethics rules relating to conflicts of interest.

After listening to this program you will understand how to:

  • Recognize conflicts that may arise from current and former representations as well as from other sources
  • Identify when a client's consent should and should not be sought to continue a representation despite a conflict
  • Create sound methods for confirming a consultation with a client regarding a waiveable conflict and a client's consent to a representation despite such a conflict
  • Determine when to use ethical screens, with or without consent
  • Request advance waivers of future conflicts from clients

Learn More

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Contacts

Editor in Chief:
service@americanbar.org
Werner Associates, LLC

Associate Editor:
service@americanbar.org
North Carolina Bar Association

Advertising:
Anne.Bitting@americanbar.org

Sponsorship Information:
service@americanbar.org
**************************************
Board of Editors:

service@americanbar.org, Brady & Associates Career Planners, LLC
service@americanbar.org, Oklahoma Bar Association
service@americanbar.org, Mass.LOMAP
service@americanbar.org, Lawyers' Insurance Association of Nova Scotia
service@americanbar.org, Briggs and Morgan, P.A.
service@americanbar.org, Kay, Griffin, Enkema & Brothers, PLLC
service@americanbar.org, Stevens MacPhail, P.A.

Advisory Board:

service@americanbar.org, Burney Consultants
service@americanbar.org, Ledjit Consulting
service@americanbar.org, WealthCounsel, LLC
service@americanbar.org, FIOS, Senior Manager and Consultant
service@americanbar.org, State Bar of Wisconsin
Catherine.Reach@americanbar.org, ABA Legal Technology Resource Center
service@americanbar.org, Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP
service@americanbar.org, Sensei Enterprises, Inc.
service@americanbar.org, Catalyst Repository Systems, Inc.

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