Why you need this policy: The law governing your right to discipline employees for the things they say on blogs and social networks is still in its infancy stages. But even from the early cases, it has become clear that online conversations are not simply private matters. There's a big difference between bad mouthing a company, supervisor or colleague to a friend in a bar over … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Employee computer use and social networking
Technology
50 quick training tips
By Michelle Spencer, Senior Trainer, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP bio@txmischief As a trainer for a large international law firm, I'm always looking to the future, and part of that includes staying abreast of what is going on within ILTA (International Legal Technology Association). I've been fortunate to attend the annual conference for the past several years as … [Read more...] about 50 quick training tips
Can you use Facebook to screen job applicants?
"We don't think employers should be asking prospective employees to provide their Facebook passwords [for pre-hiring background checking] because we don't think it's the right thing to do." -- Facebook (statement on company's website) Facebook's statement has set off a firestorm of controversy and misinformation. The popular consensus seems to be that the employer's practice of … [Read more...] about Can you use Facebook to screen job applicants?
Model Policy: Client privacy
Why you need this policy: As with any other corporate website, law office websites collect and use personal information of site visitors, including "personally identifiable" information, i.e., names and other information that can be traced back to a specific individual. Such use and collection of personal information is subject to requirements under privacy laws. How this … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Client privacy
Model Policy: Reduced schedule and flexible work arrangements
Why you need this policy: Once upon a time, the belief was that an individual could be an attorney or a primary caregiving parent but not both. Attitudes—and laws—have changed this thinking and opened the door to all kinds of flexible work arrangements allowing attorneys to balance their professional and parental obligations. How this policy helps you: Every law office needs a … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Reduced schedule and flexible work arrangements
How long should you keep client and practice records?
A lot of questions come up about the most basic elements of maintaining and destroying client records. And that's because to many of those questions "there's no hard and fast answer," says Washington, DC, attorney and record management consultant Teresa Schoch is also a past member of the Michigan Bar Association's ethics committee. Here are seven such issues. The 10-year … [Read more...] about How long should you keep client and practice records?
How to use social media marketing to pull in more clients
Social media marketing is hot hot hot. But how do you use it like the cool kids in order to market your practice? Start at the top. The top three networking sites, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, offer opportunities for spreading the word about the practice’s offerings and expertise. Network for business LinkedIn, the leading business network, is nonetheless social. What’s … [Read more...] about How to use social media marketing to pull in more clients
An ever changing policy on using social media
“The reality is that people are going to use social media.” So more than two years ago, the 65-attorney firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein took the position “that we were going to be tuned in to social media to promote business development,” says Frederick J. Esposito, Jr.,CLM, CFO and director of administration at the firm’s New York … [Read more...] about An ever changing policy on using social media