Law Practice Magazine - November/December 2010
Table of Contents VOL 36 NO 6 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
FEATURES
Positioned to Profit: How Three Law Firms Are Riding High in Changing Tides
Here’s a look at three firms that serve as guideposts in how to stay financially and organizationally strong, come what may in the economy: Baker Hostetler; Shook, Hardy & Bacon; and Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer. What’s striking is not that these firms felt the heavy strain of the recession and revolutionized themselves—it’s that they positioned themselves to seize opportunities during the downturn.
By Steven T. Taylor
Balancing the Risks and Rewards of Alternative Fees
Professional Development: Building Talent for a More Successful Firm
Law firms large and small are trying to grasp how they can properly implement alternative fees. The key is learning how to fairly allocate the risks and rewards between the parties.
By Raymond E. Bayley
- Are You Ready for AFAs? A Self-Assessment Checklist By James A. Calloway and Mark A. Robertson
A Step-by-Step Plan for Encouraging Partner Compliance with Administrative Tasks
Law firm managers and administrators know the daily challenges of getting partners to comply with administrative requests to enter time, review billings and the like. Here’s how firms can successfully encourage compliance.
By Frederick J. Esposito, Jr.
Common Complaints: A Paralegal’s Perspective on Three Top Management Pains
Poor delegation and time management skills, an inability to deal with incompetent staff, and new lawyers who need a lesson in getting along. Here are some of the top management challenges law firms face—and practical solutions—introduced through the eyes of a razor-sharp paralegal.
By Jessika M. Ferm and Petersen Thomas
Finance Tips: 25 Quick Tips for a Healthier Bottom Line
Drawn from their popular ABA LPM Section program on “Financial Success in the New Era,” use these pointers from Janis Alexander, Ed Poll and Mark Robertson to help ramp up the profits in your law practice.
TECHNOLOGY
Product Watch
Quick and Easy Hard Drive Cloning
A dual-purpose plug-and-play solution for storage and backups.
By Nerino J. Petro, Jr.
Legal Web 2.0
Here, There and Everywhere: Web-Based Tools for Managing Nonbillable Projects
Web-based project management software can organize projects that keep getting buried in your haystack of to-dos.
By Erik Mazzone
Hot Buttons
Creating Secure Passwords: The Rules Have Changed (Again)
Cybercriminals are getting smarter—and faster. Use these tips and tools to achieve an effective balance between convenience and security.
By Sharon Nelson and John Simek
BUSINESS
Rainmaking
How to Work a Room to Expand Your Network
Attending any large events in the coming year? Follow these steps to connect with the people who can send you business.
By Susan Saltonstall Duncan
Networking Tips
Leveraging LinkedIn and More
Quick tips for successful social networking from Women Rainmakers’ Best Marketing Tips, Third Edition.
Managing
Strategic Talent Management: Top Issues and To-Dos for Firms
Terri Mottershead explains critical talent management issues facing firms in 2011.
By Marcia Pennington Shannon
Career Steps
Renegotiating to Improve Your Job Satisfaction
A few weeks into your dream job, it’s clear things aren’t working out like you’d planned. You may feel stuck right now—but here’s advice on making it better.
By Wendy Werner
Taking the Lead
Tips to Help Demystify the Numbers
Sifting through financial reports is a key part of the planning process for law firm leaders. Here’s advice on understanding the data that’s in front of you.
By Karen MacKay
