GPSolo eReport October 2023

Lawyer Wellness

The Legal Burnout Solution: The Calming Influence of Pets and Animals in the Legal Environment

Rebecca Howlett and Cynthia Sharp

Integrating animal companions into the workplace can help create a law firm culture that actively prioritizes wellness for employees and clients. (5 minutes to read ∙ 1200 words)

Practice Management

The Power of Surveys: Improve the Experiences of Your Clients and Staff

Christopher Earley

Take advantage of this free, simple tool that will consistently improve your law practice. (4 minutes to read ∙ 800 words)

Practice Management

If You Are Not Memorable, Don’t Expect to Be Remembered

Stephen E. Seckler

If you keep your message simple, make it unforgettable, and reinforce it through marketing and business development, you will greatly increase the chances that a potential client or referral source will think of you. (5 minutes to read ∙ 1200 words)

Client Protection

TAPAs: Improve Your Client Communications Skills

Jeffrey Allen and Ashley Hallene

Technological And Practice Advice to help you become more efficient and effective. This month: tips for managing your clients’ expectations and updating them about their cases. (3 minutes to read ∙ 700 words)

Lawyer Wellness

Mindfulness 101: Loving-Kindness Meditation for the People of the World

Melanie Bragg

This mindfulness practice can help you maintain a state of equanimity—even in the face of frightening events—by cultivating feelings of love and compassion toward yourself and others. (7 minutes to read ∙ 1500 words)

Practice Technology

Ask Techie: How Do I Know If the Sales Call I Get on the Phone Is Legitimate?

This month’s tech Q&A column answers your questions about how to tell if a phone call is really a scam and what is the best cybersecurity checklist for small firms. (4 minutes to read ∙ 1000 words)

Disability

Understanding Special Needs Planning

Frederick M. Misilo Jr. and Theresa M. Varnet

This article explains estate planning for individuals and family members with special needs. (35 minutes to read ∙ 8100 words)

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Ending the Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

Brandon D. Miller and Robert A. Lusk

The authors discuss the recent changes to the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), which make pre-dispute agreements void if they involve sexual harassment or assault. (11 minutes to read ∙ 2500 words)

Evidence

Waiving and “Un-Waiving” Privileges in Civil Litigation

Kenneth Duvall and Saron Musa

There are ways to mitigate the damage resulting from waivers of the attorney-client privilege, work-product protection, and Fifth Amendment privilege. (20 minutes to read ∙ 4500 words)

General Practice

GPSolo Magazine

Devoted to themes of critical importance to your practice. Each issue contains articles exploring a particular topic of interest to solos, small firms, and general practice.

SoloSez®

SoloSez® is a forum for solo and small firm lawyers. As the ABA's most active discussion list, SoloSez® features discussions on everything from tech tips and legal opinions to what to wear to court. Anyone can join, even non-ABA members.