Law Practice Today

   November 2008

Restoring Optimism

By David Maister
In a letter to a client, David Maister outlines what firm managers can do to maintain a positive environment in a difficult economic climate.

What Should You Do Now? A Roundtable Discussion on Law Practice in a Time of Great Economic Turmoil

Moderated and Edited by Dennis Kennedy, Participants: M. Tom Collins, Jordan Furlong, Patrick Lamb, Bruce MacEwen, Patrick McKenna, Edward Poll, Allison C. Shields, Merrilyn Astin Tarlton
The economic turmoil rumbling through the land has lawyers facing layoffs, uncertainty and flat-out fear. In this roundtable discussion, our panel of law practice management experts share their expertise, wisdom and practical tips about what you need to do right now.

In a Tough Economy, the Importance of Effective Client Screening

By Deborah E. Gillis
Making appropriate screening decisions prior to taking on a client's matter is always important; but even more so in a tough economy. Here are some recommendations that will help you make the critical judgments necessary to determine if potential work is right for you, your potential client, and your bottom line.

Columns

Management Tips & 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

First, Second or Last

By Bob Weiss
In an interview situation to win business, what is your strategy for order? Who wants to go first? Bob Weiss recently asked 125 attorneys who were making presentations. Here are the results.

NEW COLUMN! - The Legal Mac

Why Macs and Why Now?

By Ben Stevens
The Legal Mac is a new column in Law Practice Today focused on the use of Apple computers in the legal workplace. This monthly column will offer information about Macs and their use, and champion their suitability for the legal profession.

NEW COLUMN! - Your Practice Managment Advisor

FAQs from the Practice Management Advisors

By Jim Calloway
This month marks the debut of this new column, Your Practice Management Advisor, in Law Practice Today. It will feature content from the Practice Management Advisors. PMAs are consultants who work for state bar associations, law societies or some other law-related entity whose primary job is to help lawyers with practice management advice. This column will vary between group authorship and individual authorship For more information about PMA programs, including the contact information for the program in your area or information on how to get such a program started, visit www.abanet.org/practicemanagementadvisors.

Flying Solo
NEW COLUMN! - Flying Solo

Are You Cut Out for Solo Practice?

By K. William Gibson
Law Practice Today is starting this column for solo practitioners and those considering becoming solo. Over the next year, we will bring you excerpts from the Law Practice Management Section's best-selling book Flying Solo: A Survival Guide for the Solo and Small Firm Lawyer, 4th Edition . Let's get started by asking - Are you cut out for solo practice? Editor Bill Gibson answers the question in the first chapter of the book.

Marketing

Surviving and Thriving in a Tough Economy

By Carly Sproul
In a difficult economy firms are torn about what to do with their marketing efforts.  A marketing manager offers tips about how to maintain client relationships in tough times.

Management - Career Roundtable

Managing Your Career in Turbulent Times

By Kathleen Brady, Rachelle J. Canter, Ph.D., Marcia Pennington Shannon
In light of attorney layoffs and concerns about the job market, three career experts offer their professional advice regarding how attorneys should manage their careers in this economic downturn.

Technology


Bytes in Brief

November 2008 - Bytes in Brief

By Sharon D. Nelson & John W. Simek
Keep up to date on the latest trials involving internet fraud, antitrust law, electronic discovery and more. Over twenty brief stories cover various topics of technology in the legal field.

Best of ABA TECHSHOW

Drafting Bills Clients Love to Pay

By David J. Bilinsky and Steven J. Best, Esq.
Part of the key to collecting fees is your billing process. This article will help you create bills that clients will be happy to pay - and in a timely way.

This "Best of ABA TECHSHOW" article was originally presented at ABA TECHSHOW 2008, the World's Premier Legal Technology Conference. 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.

To learn more about ABA TECHSHOW and register for the 2009 conference, just lick the banner below.

ABA TECHSHOW 2009


THE DIGITAL EDGE: LAWYERS AND TECHNOLOGY PODCAST SERIES

The Digital Edge: Lawyers and Technology

13th Edition: Ball in Your Court - Craig Ball on EDD

by Sharon D. Nelson and Jim Calloway

A wealth of free electronic discovery resources may be found at Craig Ball's website at www.craigball.com.

LPM Resources

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