With significant advancements in automation and artificial intelligence, it’s easier than ever for attorneys to gather and analyze legal data to gain powerful business development and intelligence insights. This article is the second in a three-part series discussing the what, how and why of open legal data. In the first part, we discussed what open data is and what it can do to improve access to justice and strengthen attorneys’ practices. We also discussed that, while advancements in automation and AI are beginning to turn legal data into open data to make it more useful, ultimately the Supr ..read more

Clients come to you or your website because they have a problem to solve. No matter how intellectually interesting that problem may be to you, it’s a human and emotional problem to your client (or potential client). Even a contract dispute over the interpretation of a cessation of business clause, excused performance under a force majeure clause, or responsibility for undelivered goods is wrapped up in how your client feels. This is the time to connect with your client as a human with real-life emotions. Be empathetic. Though your primary reason for writing may be for business or marketing pu ..read more

It wasn’t so long ago that someone shopping for a lawyer would have a conversation across a desk, share details about the legal issue, and not be protected by the lawyer’s confidentiality obligation if this “prospective client” did not ultimately engage the lawyer. However, in 2002, the American Bar Association added Rule 1.18 to its Model Rules of Professional Conduct to address this situation. Most states have now adopted a version of this rule. While the rule, which has exceptions that make it a bit complicated, merits a thorough read-through, the following raises some considerations in li ..read more

Assuming you’re not a corporate restructuring lawyer, you may have a bit of extra time on your hands in the weeks, or perhaps months, to come as the economy continues to hibernate. You’ve likely heard mixed messages about whether you should be engaging in business development activities during this global pandemic. My take is that, yes, you absolutely should. However, it’s critical to understand what types of activities are appropriate for the moment. Just as Justice Potter Stewart struggled to define “obscenity,” the term “business development” means different things to different lawyers. No ..read more

The breadth of legal advice we offer clients varies enormously among the many subfields of law. If we’re retained to represent a family in its purchase of a house, whatever we might see or intuit about the family’s dynamics is beside the point. We are present to advise on the real estate transaction, period. But what about when we serve as general counsel to a family, handling the entirety of its legal matters, often for decades, and sometimes over several generations? Here we serve more as counselors rather than attorneys. The same distinction is true for those of us who provide legal service ..read more

If you’re like me, you’re probably tired of getting email blasts about how to best work remotely. There is much more to this COVID-19 situation, from your law practice perspective, than remote work. If you practice in the solo and small firm world, here’s my take on a few other important things to consider in the pandemic age. Impact on Clients Individual Clients Many individuals have lost their jobs, will soon lose their jobs or are nervous as hell they will lose their job because of COVID-19. You may need to be more flexible about how you get paid. Consider implementing payment plans and sta ..read more

No matter how big (or not) your firm is, or how high (or not) you’ve climbed up the ladder, the key question is not “How can I reach a mass audience?” Instead, it is “How can I identify and cultivate the relatively small number of clients that can blossom into a thriving practice?” The allusions to gardening are intentional because most lawyers didn’t go to business school. What they do know about marketing has usually been picked up through osmosis and popular culture. What’s So Bad About That? The bad thing is that popular culture tends to focus on business to consumer marketing (B2C), wher ..read more

Creating an effective attorney bio for your website can have an immediate, positive impact on both your personal book of business and your firm’s bottom line. A personal bio helps interested parties get to know you and validate your legal prowess, long before they pick up the phone to call. But how can you make sure your bio captures your target clients’ attention? Here are tips for writing an effective, credible and personable attorney bio. Attorney Bio Must-Haves Data tells us the type of information law firm website visitors expect from an attorney bio. Every bio should include the attorney ..read more

What makes a great lawyer? Is it intelligence, good people skills, effective writing? Of course, we must have a certain level of intelligence and motivation, along with experience and opportunities. But the truth is, the traits that transform a good lawyer into a great lawyer may not be the ones you think. Here are five traits that make a lawyer — or any person — stand above the rest. Cultivating these traits provides the opportunity to really understand the issues and offer effective solutions. 1. Compassion Compassion is an emotional response whereby one perceives another’s problem and authe ..read more

You’ve spent the whole conference trying to get close to that potential business source, and you’re finally going to sit together at a banquet table. Or maybe a meal at a fancy restaurant is part of the interview process at the new firm you’re trying to join. Are you attending a formal-dress event thrown by your firm? Don’t blow it when you finally get to lunch or dinner. Proper table etiquette is part of good manners and can enhance or detract from your professional image. The Most Common Mistake Here’s the rule: solids on the left, liquids on the right. If you drink from the glass on your l ..read more