Legal shield to the rescue?By Paul A. Meints & Darrell DiesTrusts and Estates, March 2013An overview of Legal Shield, which is essentially a form of prepaid legal plan or legal insurance.
A line loan or not?By Dan BreenLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2012Generally, a line of credit is preferable for people who will be borrowing irregular or uncertain amounts. A loan, on the other hand is a fixed borrowed amount. You have, and pay regular interest on a set amount of money, whether you actually use it or not. A loan might be a better option for someone looking to make one significant financial outlay rather than address occasional cash flow irregularities. You are likely to get better interest terms on a loan than with a line of credit.
Protecting your office from theftBy John W. OlmsteadLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2012Only through effective internal accounting and financial controls can law firms protect their offices from theft. The goal is not to catch offenders, but to have a system in place that discourages and prevents the theft from occurring in the first place.
Should you merge with another law firm?By John W. OlmsteadLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2012Successful mergers are based upon a sound integrated business strategy that creates synergy and a combined firm that produces greater client value than either firm can produced alone.
Top five new year (IT) resolutionsBy Kim BrandLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2012Make this the year you get out of the poor-productivity ditch!
Conducting effective associate reviewsBy Donald E. WeihlLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2012Increasingly, law firms recognize the importance of conducting regular associate performance reviews. While different firms have different concerns, these tips are broadly applicable. And, while the guidelines in this article address associate evaluation, they can be adapted to other law-office personnel.
An update on Google AnalyticsBy Peter LaSorsaLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, September 2012A look at two important features of Google Analytics and why you should pay particular attention to them.
Lawyers need emotional intelligenceBy Steven C. LindbergLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2012One leading researcher in the field of psychology has argued that emotional intelligence is twice as important as compared to technical skills and IQ as ingredients of excellent performance. But do we, as lawyers, have what it takes?
Law firm partner compensation: Two-attorney firmBy John W. OlmsteadLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, May 2012The author addresses a question he recently received concerning partner compensation in a newly minted two- attorney firm.
Leveraging lease renewal for maximum effectBy Daniel G. JayLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, May 2012There are hidden opportunities in the lease renewal process that should not be missed.
Leveraging lease renewal for maximum effectBy Daniel G. JayLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, May 2012There are hidden opportunities in the lease renewal process that should not be missed.
Starting—Building—Managing—a law firmBy John W. OlmsteadLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, May 2012A few survival tips for each phase of firm development.
Changes: How an alternative rock song can provide insight to the evolution of the cost for legal servicesBy Joseph B. VanFleetLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, February 2012Without question, the unique predicament facing us today is our economic environment. In light of this adversity, law firms today face the need to modify their price structure to address the changing demands of corporate clients.
Cloud computing and virtual law practice issuesBy Kim BrandLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, February 2012Before committing your firm to a cloud-centric application environment you should make sure you know your ‘backup’ options for alternate Internet access.
Get paid… Faster than a speeding bulletBy Amy PorterLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, February 2012By using technology as a payment tool, you give clients flexible payment options while allowing yourself to get paid quickly and securely.
Welcome to the party, non-lawyersBy Dan BreenLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, February 2012While any change that might allow nonlawyers an ownership interest will be slow and methodical, if it happens at all, perhaps the addition of nonlawyers will enable the legal profession to add significant value on multiple levels in an ever more complex and competitive world.
Addition by deductionBy Paul ShaheenLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2011If employee benefits are becoming unaffordable, how does a firm maintain them? Or at least remain in the position to offer them?
The Checkpoint Flyer… The only way to travel!By Alan PearlmanLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2011The Checkpoint Flyer laptop bag provides a variety of benefits for frequent travelers.
Does your voicemail irritate clients?By Donald E. WeihlLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2011Some tips for creating the most effective voice mail messages.
Emerging issues for Illinois employers in wage and hour lawBy Richard L. Samson & Michael D. RayLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2011A list of issues that Illinois employers commonly face regarding wage and hour laws, and practical advice for minimizing liability and exposure in light of the burgeoning wave of related lawsuits.
How to laugh in the face of a data disasterBy Alan PearlmanLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2011A true story from the case chronicles of ETS Investigative Services of Wilmette, Illinois, a firm specializing in data security, recovery, forensics and investigation.
Wherever you go…Never forget to take your Pulse!By Alan PearlmanLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, September 2011A review of the Livescribe Pulse Digital Smartpen, which creates digital copies of everything you write by hand while recording audio at the same time.
Law firm succession/Exit strategies: Practice continuation arrangementsBy John W. OlmsteadLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2011Lawyers must invest time and effort to find suitable successors for their firms and to create useful, equitable, practice continuation agreements.
Managing ourselvesBy Dan BreenLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2011Because more and more attorneys will begin their legal career without a traditional business structure, it is important that we, as a profession, pay more attention to the business side of law.
Professional liability claim exposuresBy Stephen G. WilderLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2011Every firm has a particular claim exposure profile based on the nature of its practice and its firm management practices and procedures. By understanding this profile, a firm can better identify and address the risks that may lead to claims against the firm.
Professional services and law practice growth patternsBy William A. PriceLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2011The U.S. government collects a wide variety of statistics on employment, earnings, and employment dynamics in law practices and on other business advisory professions. These can give you a reasonably good idea of what the growth in numbers and in income has been in recent years.
Business development in the 21st Century: Building your personal brand onlineBy Erin E. WrightYoung Lawyers Division, April 2011Potential clients and the public at large are online and are likely searching for you. Put your best foot forward by introducing yourself in a variety of online forums that are free, relatively easy to use, and exceptionally effective at increasing the value of your personal brand.
Keeping current in your practiceBy David ClarkLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, April 2011Applying sage advice using modern technology.
How to grandfather, or not: A health care reform updateBy Paul ShaheenLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2010By carefully asking the right kinds of questions, and working with a qualified insurance professional in this regard, the analysis that you, and your firm, need to undertake in determining what type of plan is best for its needs will be made a great deal easier.
