Managers still spend a great deal of time communicating face to face, despite the proliferation of technology. However, because of technology, verbal communication skills sometimes take a backseat to written communication skills. Nevertheless, how you say something can be as important as what you say. With this in mind, here are communication DOs and DON'Ts. DO Make sure … [Read more...] about Communication DOs and DON’Ts
Client relations
Is this essential ingredient missing from your firm’s customer service?
If you believe that your law firm offers exceptional customer service, you might want to think again, says Kelli Proia, a Rhode Island-based intellectual property attorney and founder of Lawducate, a business education firm for lawyers. Proia says the customer service component is sadly lacking in the legal business as a whole, adding that too many lawyers focus on the work … [Read more...] about Is this essential ingredient missing from your firm’s customer service?
To-Dos: Your January checklist
Make a fresh start this year with a focused team, a financial plan, organized files, and a decluttered computer. Here are some tasks you can accomplish this month to help keep your office running smoothly and profitably throughout the year. 1. Help staff set and achieve goals. Addressing staff issues in January gets people charged up for the year and gives you a roadmap for … [Read more...] about To-Dos: Your January checklist
TO-DOs: Your December office checklist
Congratulations on making it through 2022! We hope it was a successful and satisfying year for you and your firm and that you take some time this month to celebrate your accomplishments. Of course, the work never stops, so here are some reminders for this month. Start thinking about the firm's taxes. Are there any bills you can pay this year to offset any unexpected income … [Read more...] about TO-DOs: Your December office checklist
How to avoid taking on second-hand stress
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio I've been working with the legal profession for nearly 40 years and I can assure you it is one of the most stressful work environments ever. The legal profession as a career choice is stressful because of stringent deadlines, including statutes of limitations, which if you miss one of those you have just sunk your own battleship. Other stressful … [Read more...] about How to avoid taking on second-hand stress
Yes, you can fire a client and still get paid
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio The frequency with which a client fires a lawyer is far greater than the frequency with which a lawyer fires a client. This is because lawyers will have their firm do almost anything to keep a client. But there comes a time in every lawyer's practice where you just cannot please that one client. It does not matter what concessions you make, how … [Read more...] about Yes, you can fire a client and still get paid
Public image counts just as much as legal quality: 7 good rules
It takes more than good lawyering to make a practice a success. Just as important is a good public image. Here Trey Ryder, a legal marketing consultant in Payson, AZ, gives seven ways to make the firm look good. Rule #1: Pay up! Few people know much at all about the law firms in their community, Ryder says. They don't know the good from the bad. But what does get around … [Read more...] about Public image counts just as much as legal quality: 7 good rules
Dear newly hired law firm: Here’s what I really want
By Robert Denney bio What would it be like to be on the receiving end of an engagement letter after accepting a new client? While they may not actually put any of this to you in writing, it is very likely your new client has a few of the expectations set out in this letter. LETTER FROM A CLIENT TO ITS NEW LAW FIRM Today's Date Responsible Partner Our New … [Read more...] about Dear newly hired law firm: Here’s what I really want
Law firm focuses on elder client needs
An elder law practice deals with non-legal issues other firms rarely encounter, says the founder of a seven attorney elder law firm in North Carolina. Often a client is accompanied by an adult child and confidentiality becomes a concern. Often both spouses are clients and one is incapacitated, opening the door to the question of whether the spouse has the mental capacity to … [Read more...] about Law firm focuses on elder client needs
Unique client communication approach gives small firm a huge marketing advantage
Like many small firms, one Michigan office operates in a precarious environment. With only two attorneys and four staff, it faces heavy competition from larger firms as well as from firms opening satellite offices. And because the city itself is small, the client prospect pool is limited, says the administrator of the office. So the firm devised a … [Read more...] about Unique client communication approach gives small firm a huge marketing advantage