March 2007

Capturing More Time... And Keeping Your Clients Happy While Doing It

by Margaret Spencer Dixon and Debbie Foster

Accurate time tracking is important not just for billable time, but for all working time. It seems like a daunting task, but once you set realistic goals and make the process a habit, it could provide significant benefits for you, your firm and your clients. Use a pen and paper, a Blackberry or supporting software, but whatever your method, start by reading these useful tips for tracking your time.

Columns

Monthly Marketing Brief

Spending Your Marketing Dollars Wisely

by Bob Weiss

Make certain your firm is spending its limited marketing dollars wisely. Follow these recommendations for the membership renewal procedure and standards to be established.

Management by Agreement

Communication Essentials

by Stewart Levine

We all know the value of effective communication, but that is often easier said than done. This insightful article first looks at how society has facilitated ineffective communicators and then provides a scholarly solution.

The Strongest Links

Staying on Track with Track Changes

by Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell

Track Changes is one of the most common and popular collaborative document preparation tools used in the legal profession. Yet it isn't perfect. Some features could lead to potentially embarrassing, revealing or compromising situations. This column may not eliminate all of your frustrations and difficulties but it should make your life easier next time you use this feature.

Practice Management Q & A

Taking a Practice-Centric Approach to Marketing

by Susan Longo

Aligning law offices' marketing departments along practice group lines can improve your level of service, quality, expertise, and efficiency. As this approach evolves, an increasing number of firms adopt some variation of it and see significant benefits. See how your firm can partner its marketing with practice groups successfully.

Meet the Rainmaker

Debbie Thoren-Peden

by Rachelle J. Canter

Departments

Marketing

Building Your Relationship with the Press

by Anne Parys

Publicity is a powerful tool for promoting your firm and maintaining a desirable reputation. Good press (and bad press) could have a lasting affect on how the public views you and your firm. Be sure you know the best ways to work with the press by using these tips and suggestions.

Management

Leaders and the Four Fatal Fears

by Cheryl Leitschuh

Leaders' fears and anxieties have a direct impact on their organization. The fear of failure, being wrong, rejection, and being emotionally uncomfortable all impede effective interaction with others. Become aware of your fears and follow these exercises to change this behavior.

Technology

CRM as a Competitive Edge for Client Development

by David Stevenson

Are you too busy to devote time to business development? Streamline your business development strategy with Client Relationship Management (CRM) software. Matching technology with your firm's needs could even out the playing field and establish a competitive advantage.

Download the FREE EXPO HALL Pass!

Keynote Speaker - The Honorable Shira A. Scheindlin
60 CLE sessions over three days!
Two day Expo featuring over 100 legal technology vendors!
NEW! Solo/Small Firm Day , co-sponsored by ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division.

Upcoming CLE

Structuring a Retirement Program for Senior Lawyers

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Program Summary

Retirement today needs to be seen as more a journey than a destination, one which can benefit clients, the firm and the transitioning attorney. Law firms throughout the country can help their senior attorneys learn new skills and competencies as they reduce their practice commitments, enabling them to contribute extended value to clients and the firm in new ways, while minimizing the costs to clients and the firm, and ensuring a smooth transition for the clients.

Learn More

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.

LPM Resources

Law Practice is the ABA Law Practice Management Section's award-winning magazine. Published six times a year, Law Practice is the leading magazine on the business of practicing law, providing insightful articles and practical tips on marketing, management, technology, finance and more.

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