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.
Protecting your office from employee theftBy Dan BreenLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2010Possibly the best advice is to implement a written loss prevention policy for your office. Like any other plan or strategy you use when trying cases, developing your business, or monitoring your financial growth, this plan is most effective if you put it in writing.
Laptop printing at a hotelBy Todd H. FlamingLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, October 2010Away from your office and need to print? This Web site offers the solution.
Pensoft Payroll 2010 ProfessionalBy Bryan SimsLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, October 2010A great software addition for lawyers doing their own bookkeeping-- This software version includes the ability to export information for direct deposit, as well as the ability to generate W-2s.
“Hello, may I help you?” Yes, Callruby.comBy Robert C. ThurstonLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, September 2010One of the problems that solos and some small firms face is hiring a good receptionist that provides a professional voice to the outside world. Ruby makes potential clients feel as if they are hiring the best lawyers.
Workplace time bombsBy Peter LaSorsaCorporate Law Departments, August 2010The author addresses two common workplace "time bombs" that could potentially explode into lawsuits for the employer.
Why it pays to accept credit cardsBy Amy PorterLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, June 2010Why turn away a prospective client who wants to use your law firm’s services and has the means to pay promptly?
Digital dictation is here… Throw away your mini-tapesBy L. James HansonLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, March 2010Still using audio tapes for dictation and transcription? Here's how to make the transition to digital.
Severing the landlineBy Peter LaSorsaLegal Technology, Standing Committee on, March 2010The author presents his case for the elimination of traditional telephone service.
The wellness train: Time to come aboardBy Paul ShaheenLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, March 2010Want to put an end to double-digit insurance rate increases? Read on to learn how!
The changing face of the legal professionBy Sherwin A. BrookLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2009The U.S. economy has been slammed over the past 18 months. No sector has been spared. Among the professional services providers, attorneys have been the hardest hit. The dynamics of the carnage has left virtually every area of concentration reeling with the possible exceptions of bankruptcy injury and family law.
Pay your law firm employees properly or risk falling into a financial snakepitBy James B. ZourasLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2009As wage-and-hour practitioners who have represented thousands of employees in actions against employers of every size, from multi-billion-dollar corporations to small businesses, our firm is well-versed on the ways employers violate the labor laws.
Relocating a Law Practice (Or How to Survive the Move Without Losing Your Mind)By Mary A. CorriganLaw Office Management and Economics, Standing Committee on, December 2009Lawyers, like most people, are creatures of habit and avoid change at all costs. How then can an attorney or a law firm deal with a major change like a physical practice relocation and still retain their sanity?
