Time management techniques can be the difference between a productive day and one that feels wasted. See how in this blog ..read more

DEI for law firms is about expanding the culture of a practice to include those whose voices have traditionally not been heard in the legal industry. There are a number of ways legal practices implement DEI and several potential benefits of doing so.  What is DEI? Diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) is a general term for initiatives and programs that intend to make an organization’s demographics more closely match that of society. In some cases, it can also mean actively trying to increase representation of groups of people who have traditionally been excluded from the organization’s indus ..read more

From the early days of this country’s existence, portions of the population have been unable to afford legal services. Today, that portion of individuals is so substantial that we accurately call this lack of representation a “crisis.” It is well documented that over 70% of civil and family law cases have at least one party that is self-represented, and over 90% of eviction and debt-collection cases in some jurisdictions involve an unrepresented defendant. The complexity of the system has only compounded the negative consequences of this crisis, but by understanding where people struggle, we c ..read more

According to Upsolve, a nonprofit company whose technology helps low-income individuals file for bankruptcy for free, Americans owe $1.77 trillion in student loan debt — 93% of it to the federal government. Since 2017, Upsolve’s debt relief tools have helped more than 13,000 individuals erase more than $750 million in debt. But, due to the ..read more

AI tools like ChatGPT are creating a buzz in the legal field. According to the Legal Industry Report 2024, nearly one-quarter (24%) of law firms have adopted legal-specific generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools. Survey respondents confirmed they use GAI to streamline firm processes, from drafting marketing content to finding specific statutes.  Lawyers who have opted not to use GAI cited three primary concerns: They need to learn more about the technology, they have ethical concerns, or they don’t trust AI outputs.  Those concerns are well-founded. Any software investment re ..read more

Editor’s Note: The convergence of CYE’s and Surfshark’s analyses reveals a critical juncture in the fight against cyber threats. With the U.S. leading global data breaches and businesses facing significant insurance coverage gaps, the necessity for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more apparent. This joint examination serves as a pivotal resource for organizations aiming to revamp their cybersecurity and insurance strategies, guiding them toward a more secure digital future. By addressing these gaps, businesses can better safeguard themselves against financial a ..read more

This week I discuss with my colleague, Heather Blankinship, Senior Scientist/Regulatory Consultant for B&C and The Acta Group, and Senior Manager for B&C® Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM) to discuss the value of coalition advocacy, and its essentiality in the chemical space, especially now. Heather manages many chemical coalitions and does a masterful job of managing issues and people. When you think about it, engaging commercial competitors to align on advocacy involving critically important regulatory, testing, and science The post Utility of Consortia Advocacy — A Conve ..read more

Time is of the essence at any personal injury law firm. But keeping up with your finances is vital to maintaining profitability, and you need legal accounting software like QuickBooks. It can streamline your financial processes, including billing and expense tracking, giving you more time to focus on your clients and cases. Personal injury law firms face quite a few financial complexities, from tracking the expenses involved in each case to creating accurate and easy-to-follow client invoices. Legal accounting software is an important tool, but you don’t need anything unfamiliar or ..read more

As an attorney, you went to school and trained to “practice law,” but have you considered the importance of running your law firm like a business? Failing to recognize that your firm is a business and should run like one could get you in trouble. After all, your firm is required to oversee its operations, personnel, and finances.  Should your law firm hire an accountant? One great solution is to hire someone on staff or outsource the role so you can focus on serving clients, not crunching numbers.  Running Your Law Firm Like a Business For law firms to survive and prosper in today’s ..read more

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing on April 30, 2024, on the fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget request for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan will testify, and he will be accompanied by EPA Chief Financial Officer Faisal Amin. As reported in our March 15, 2024, Monthly Federal Developments Memorandum, according to EPA’s March 11, 2024, statement on President Biden’s FY 2025 The post House Subcommittee Will Hold Hearing on FY 2025 Budget Request for EPA appeared first on Bergeson &am ..read more