Starting salaries for legal professionals in the United States are expected to increase 3.1 percent overall in 2016, according to the just-released Robert Half Legal 2016 Salary Guide. Law firm attorneys with four-plus years of professional experience should see greater-than-average salary gains. Among legal specialists, compliance directors are expected to see the largest … [Read more...] about Average starting salaries for legal jobs projected to rise 3.1 percent in 2016
Your career
4 ways to keep your cool in the midst of chaos
By Cheryl Toth, MBA bio How well do you think you handle stress at work? I used to think I was pretty good at it, until a few years ago, when I realized I wasn't. I was working for a healthcare technology company that was young and rapidly growing. Every day, my task and responsibility list seemed to grow exponentially. At first it was exciting, but after a while I was … [Read more...] about 4 ways to keep your cool in the midst of chaos
12 common errors in English you’ll want to avoid
Errors in your writing reflect poorly on you—and on the legal practice. Even if English wasn't your best subject, it's not too late to brush up on the basics. Here are 12 common errors you'll want to avoid. 1. You're/your You're is a contraction, short for "you are." Your is a possessive pronoun, as in "It's your birthday." Quick check: Can you substitute "you are"? … [Read more...] about 12 common errors in English you’ll want to avoid
You know dressing for success is important. But do you know how to do it?
Whether you're speaking to a group, to the lawyers, or to a new client, your looks count, says image consultant Sandy Dumont of The Image Architect in Norfolk, VA. And Dumont backs up her assertion with research—limited research, but research nonetheless. She recently sat in a courtroom "for hours predicting which attorneys would win based on how they looked." And each time, … [Read more...] about You know dressing for success is important. But do you know how to do it?
How your personal posts on social media can hurt your career
A Vermont State Police trooper was recently forced to resign as a result of comments he posted to his personal Facebook page. Could this happen to you or a member of your staff? The story in Vermont An unidentified concerned citizen notified the Vermont State Police about the trooper's Facebook posts, according to the Rutland Herald, and the agency proceeded to … [Read more...] about How your personal posts on social media can hurt your career
LOM Webinars and your CLM Educational Requirements
Law Office Manager webinars are designed to provide you with educational instruction to help you be a better administrator and run an efficient and profitable firm. They also fulfill some of the educational requirements you need to obtain your Certified Legal Manager (CLM) credential offered by the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). If you attended any of our webinars … [Read more...] about LOM Webinars and your CLM Educational Requirements
Have you taken your vacation yet? If not, it could be affecting your relationships at home
American workers value quality time with their loved ones above all else, but employees' behavior doesn't align with those priorities, says a new Project: Time Off study, "The Work Martyr's Affair: How America's Lost Week Quietly Threatens Our Relationships." The study, conducted by GfK Public Affairs, examines how employees balance their professional and personal lives, a … [Read more...] about Have you taken your vacation yet? If not, it could be affecting your relationships at home
Don’t kill your professional prose with these 10 errors
Those who work in the legal industry generally communicate professionally, clearly, and correctly. But no one's perfect. How many of these errors have made their way into your written communications? 1. Lie v. lay. These get misused so much that when someone finally does get them right, it's noticeable. Lie = lie down to sleep. Lay = lay something down. People lie down and lie … [Read more...] about Don’t kill your professional prose with these 10 errors
What are your chances of finding a new job?
If you're not on social media, you could be missing out on a new employment opportunity. Indeed, avoiding a professional online presence may be hurting your chances of finding a new job. More than one-third of employers (35 percent) say they are less likely to interview job candidates if they are unable to find information about that person online, according to an annual … [Read more...] about What are your chances of finding a new job?
Asking for a raise
One of the most frequently asked career questions is, "What is the best way to ask for a raise?" Not surprising, a frequently asked management question is, "What are best practices when it comes to employees asking for a raise?" Answers to these two questions actually have a lot of overlap. Think about the times staff members approached you for a raise. When did they make a … [Read more...] about Asking for a raise