Law Practice Today

   January 2009 - Planning

Leadership After the Layoffs

By Jeffrey C. Connor
If you have been forced to lay off employees due to the economic downturn, do not think that the hard work is ove r once the employees have been informed. The future success of the firm may be determined by how you demonstrate leadership after these decisions have been made. Here is some sage advice for dealing effectively with the staff and attorneys who remain.

Resolve to Manage Your Job Search

By Kathleen Brady
When making resolutions, few people imagine starting out the New Year looking for a job; but in this challenging economy many lawyers are in the job search. In this article you will learn step-by-step how to effectively manage all aspects of your job search from economic to emotional - and wind up on the other side in a better place.

Columns

Management Tips and Tricks

Don't Be a Legal Hamster

By Edward Poll
When it comes to handling new matters, clients do not want their attorney reinventing the wheel. A greater understanding and implementation of knowledge management can help you create greater efficiencies.

Monthly Marketing Brief

By Bob Weiss
Here are 11 questions to ask when evaluating the business development value of membership in a trade, community or professional group.

NEW COLUMN! The Legal Mac

Outlining Options for Macs

By Stephen D. Chakwin, Jr.
PCs no longer hold the lion's share of outlining and information-organizing tools. In this article by Stephen Chakwin, learn about the large variety of tools available for Mac users.

NEW COLUMN! Your Practice Managment Advisor

When You Go to Heaven, Will Your Practice Go to Hell?

By Courtney Kennaday and Reid Trautz
No one anticipates their sudden death or disability. Although these are difficult issues to think about, planning for the ultimate crisis is not only critical to your family members, your clients and your colleagues, it is also an essential business practice.

Flying Solo
NEW FEATURE! Flying Solo
Edited by Mark A. Robertson

Why Specialize?

By Gary A. Munneke
Planning and time management are important tools that every lawyer needs to hone. Part of that planning process for a solo practitioner needs to be whether he or she wants to be a main street lawyer who has a general practice or to try to specialize. Gary Munneke, former chair of the ABA Law Practice Management Section and a member of the ABA's Board of Governors, offers insights on specialization in this excerpt from Flying Solo: A Survival Guide for the Solo and Small Firm Lawyer, 4th Edition.

Marketing

Letting Go of the Resolutions of New Years Past: Planning and Managing Time in 2009

By Elise Martin
Everyone starts the New Year with good intentions, but we often fail to follow through. Here are some straightforward recommendations about how to plan your time effectively and use it wisely to accomplish your goals .

Finanace

FREE TELECONFERENCE, Finance Core Group, Law Practice Management

Join us on Tues, Jan 20 at 10:30am PST for a free informational teleconference presented by Finance Core Group member and law firm consultant Ed Poll. Ed's topic, reexamining the business model, is certainly timely given today's economic climate. Ed's presentation will last approximately 20 minutes and will be followed by time for questions and discussion. We are confident that you will find this session to be extremely valuable.

Management

Starting the New Year with Optimism

By Wendy L. Werner

Although the current economic situation is daunting, there are still reasons to be optimistic as you look forward in 2009, not the least of which is that your attitude may impact outcomes for you and your firm.


Technology

Planning Now for File Management

By Deborah E. Gillis
In planning for the future it is important that you devote sufficient time and money now to developing a file management process. In doing so you will save both time and money in the future in dealing with your files.

Everything You Need to Know About Buying Digital Cameras

By Joseph Kashi
Digital photography technology changes all of the time, and quality isn't determined strictly by megapixils. Learn what you need to know to choose the camera that you need (for your practice and your vacation) from the myriad available options.

Document Management in the Digital Law Office

By Steve Best and Debbie Foster
This "Best of ABA TECHSHOW®" article was originally presented at ABA TECHSHOW 2008, the World's Premier Legal Technology Conference and Expo. It's just one example of the terrific content offered at ABA TECHSHOW by more than 50 legal technology experts. ABA TECHSHOW 2009 will be held April 2-4, 2009 at the Hilton Chicago.

Tech Tool Reviews

New technologies are great if they provide the services you need and want. Our authors review two of the hippest new mobile devices and finds them wanting in different ways.

iPhone vs. Blackberry Storm: Blackberry Storm

By Lee Rosen

iPhone vs. Blackberry: iPhone

By Jeff Richardson

ABA TECHSHOW Road Show

ABA TECHSHOW® Hits the Road

First ABA TECHSHOW Road Show Set for Feb. 11 in Boston

The ABA Law Practice Management Section has partnered with the Massachusetts Bar Association to present ABA TECHSHOW Road Show, an intensive one-day program based on the wildly popular ABA TECHSHOW held annually in Chicago. The Road Show will take place Wednesday, February 11, at the MBA's Boston offices.

THE DIGITAL EDGE: LAWYERS AND TECHNOLOGY PODCAST SERIES

The Digital Edge: Lawyers and Technology

15th Edition: ABA TECHSHOW

by Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway

Learn more about the ABA TECHSHOW with the Chair, Laura Calloway

LPM Resources

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