Articles

2017

How Are Solo and Small Firms Important Partners in Disaster-Relief Programs?
By Jackie Condella – October 31, 2017
An interview with Chauntis Jenkins Floyd on the ABA program “Surviving a Disaster: Practicing in the Aftermath and Preparing Your Law Firm for the Next Disaster.”

Tips for Hiring Expert Witnesses Without Wasting Your Time or Your Client’s Money
By Adam Matheson – October 31, 2017
Four ways to find a qualified expert on your own without exceeding the client’s budget.

Respect Your Adversaries: How to Overcome the Adversarial Nature of Litigation
By Jade P. Gary – October 31, 2017
How to stand up to opposing counsel while still protecting your client’s interests and your professional reputation.

The Art of Storytelling: How to Use War Stories to Teach Enduring Trial Lessons
By Carmen D. Caruso – August 20, 2017
Learning the craft of trial practice depends on how you tell the story.

Billing Is a Critical Management Issue
By Elizabeth M. Miller – February 28, 2017
Nothing strikes a nerve with clients more than having to pay legal fees.

The Decision to Turn Away a Client
By Elizabeth M. Miller – February 28, 2017
Tips for navigating the two-way street of the attorney-client relationship.

Litigation Funding: What Are the Benefits for Solo Practitioners and Small Firms?
By David Gallagher – January 25, 2017
Practical and ethical issues that deserve careful consideration.

How to Approach That Difficult Client as a Newer Attorney
By Conor Desmond – January 25, 2017
Steps for avoiding unnecessary headaches and even malpractice claims.

The Ups and Downs of Being “Of Counsel”
By Elizabeth Homsy – January 25, 2017
Some of the perils and benefits for an attorney looking to take on one of these roles.

Eight Networking Tips for Young Lawyers
By Kristine A. Bergman – January 25, 2017
For those who find networking to be daunting, pointless, and generally unpleasant.

2016

Class Actions 101: How I Began My Practice
By Emily J. Kirk – July 19, 2016
Our area of litigation is a rewarding practice for attorneys on both sides of the "v."

David v. Goliath: Representing the Underdog Against Big Corporations
By Robert Zarco and Kaari Gagnon – August 1, 2016
Representing small business against the industry's "giants" can be daunting for a young lawyer.

Four Principles to Help Guide Your Legal Writing
By Jillian Singer – August 1, 2016
The best trial lawyers need to learn to become excellent writers.

Franchise Law: Representing a Franchisor at Trial
By Kevin M. Shelley and David J. Kaufmann – August 1, 2016
Ways to educate the judge and jury about the parties' franchise relationship and demonstrate your client's compliance.

"Preponderance of Evidence" Standard Deems Lost Profits Recoverable
By Carmen D. Caruso – August 1, 2016
How much evidence is required to establish "reasonable certainty"?

Ten Reasons Why Going Solo Can Make You a Happier Lawyer
By Diane A. Seltzer Torre – February 9, 2016
An experienced practitioner shares her reasons for going, and staying, solo.

Top 5 Expectations for Young Lawyers
By Carmen D. Caruso – February 9, 2016
Take ownership of your career, be a part of the team, maintain candor, and commit to professional development.

How to Train Young Lawyers to Become Excellent Trial Lawyers
By Caesar A. Tabet and John M. Fitzgerald – February 9, 2016
The long-term success of any litigation firm depends on its ability to train its young attorneys in trial practice.

Always Be an Advocate
By John Balestriere – February 9, 2016
Young lawyers have a lot to learn once they graduate-being an advocate is one of the harder, and more important, early lessons.

The Challenges and Opportunities of Small Firm Mentorship
By Ronald K. Gardner – February 9, 2016
Young attorneys hired by small firms shouldn't expect to be handed a mentorship like a participation trophy.

2015

Endorse Me, Endorse Me Not: LinkedIn Etiquette for Small Law
By Sam Alba – September 23, 2015
Five big dos and don'ts that every attorney should know about online networking.

Mentor, Make Me a Better Lawyer
By Lisa O'Connor – August 28, 2015
Mentorship empowers young associates to the benefit of the entire firm.

ABA Clarifies Inconsistent Interpretation of Sale of Law Practice Rules to the Benefit of Sole Practitioners
By William Knight – April 14, 2015
Guidance on selling a solo firm upon retirement.

Remember to Breathe
By Christy Cassisa – February 17, 2015
Practicing law can sometimes feel like confronting a wild tiger.

How Lawyers Can Stand Out (for Now) Without Using Social Media
By Mitch Jackson – February 17, 2015
Make up for your lack of an online presence by creating an exceptional offline client experience.

Mentoring: Helping Young Lawyers "Start Well"
By Kimberly Stamatelos – February 17, 2015
Veteran lawyers hoping to "finish well" should consider serving as mentors to help young lawyers "start well."

Why You Should Sleep under Your Desk
By Kate Mayer Mangan – February 17, 2015
Practicing law requires that your brain function at its best, and taking quality breaks can improve your cognition.

2013

The Ethics of Space Sharing
By Emily L. Bloedel – December 12, 2013
Attorneys sharing an office space should put in place the following safeguards to avoid being perceived as one firm.

The Modern-Day Mobile Lawyer's Manifesto, Part Two
By Michael J.P. Schewe – December 12, 2013
Your law office is all around you.

Legal Business Development for a Changing Profession
By Paula Black – December 12, 2013
Don't get left behind.

Hackers Are Targeting Law Firms: Are You Ready?
By Stacy Berliner – August 27, 2013
Recent cyber attacks on law firms, as well as revisions to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, require attorneys to understand the security risks and protect their clients' information.

Chief Judge Imposes Severe Sanctions
By Lauren M. Koloseike – April 17, 2013
The Haeger opinion could expand the scope and severity of sanctions imposed against a party and its counsel for engaging in bad faith conduct during the discovery process.

Five Law Firm Web Strategies for 2013
By Michael Eck – February 7, 2013
Consider these crucial factors when building or redesigning a law firm website for today's market.

A Beginner's Guide to Creating a Wired Law Office
By Aaron M. Kelly – February 7, 2013
Time to move your firm into the cloud.

Breaking Down Cloud Computing
By Nicole Black and Matt Spiegel– February 7, 2013
Let's explore the technology, risks, and ethical issues posed by the use of cloud computing in your law practice.

Tackling Document-Preservation Letters
By Gabriel R. Aragon – February 7, 2013
Complying with the heightened duty to preserve all relevant records can be daunting for your small-firm clients.

The Modern-Day Mobile Lawyer's Manifesto
By Michael J.P. Schewe – February 7, 2013
How I learned to stop worrying and love being paperless.

2012

Five Tips for Young Lawyers Hanging a Shingle
By Cindy Albracht-Crogan – November 12, 2012
Establishing a solo practice right out of law school comes with many perks—and potential pitfalls. Follow these tips to ensure your fledgling firm beats the odds.

A Recent Graduate's Toolbox for Building a Law Practice
By Sofia S. Lingos – May 9, 2012
Starting a law practice is like building a house—you need the right tools and a good plan to set it up right.

How I Decided to Open My Practice
By Sandra Johnston – May 9, 2012
The path to private practice can be a very crooked road—here's one story.

Book Review: The E-Myth Attorney
By Jason Kohlmeyer – May 9, 2012
While some people think they have what it takes to run a small business because they are good at what they do, many lack the entrepreneurial spirit to actually succeed.

2011

Tips for Using Technology While Keeping Client Information Confidential
By Lisa O'Connor – October 25, 2011
With the use of new technology comes unchartered ethical territory for lawyers to navigate.

Non-Lawyer Ownership of Law Firms: A Historical Debate
By Norayr Zurabyan – September 8, 2011
The question of whether non-lawyers should be permitted to own law firms has been debated for many years.

How to Build and Maintain Client Relationships
By Kathryn Harris – February 1, 2011
A recent podcast &qu