The legal industry often lags behind other industry sectors in adapting to technological change, resulting in losing out to competitors, and ones that are not necessarily other law firms. Savvy law firms recognize the interaction of law and technology and leverage legal tech to be more effective in their practices, according to a blog by SMI Aware, a social media evidence … [Read more...] about Artificial intelligence frees lawyers and admin of tedious tasks
Working with lawyers
Stop a bully senior manager without losing your job
By Lynne Curry Question: I face a situation that has no easy answer and no good solution. As the newly hired human resources director, I supposedly enforce our organization's code of conduct and oversee the human resource issues. I report to the report to the chief operating officer, a bully who runs roughshod over any employee unlucky enough to cross his path. If I keep my … [Read more...] about Stop a bully senior manager without losing your job
Hot lateral hiring market of 2021 notches record increase from 2020
Following a 30% decline in 2020 due in large part to hiring pauses in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, lateral hiring rebounded at an unprecedented rate in 2021, according to analyses of NALP’s Survey on 2021 Lateral Hiring. Overall, lateral hiring was up by 111% compared to 2020, the largest year-over-year increase since NALP (National Association for Law Placement) … [Read more...] about Hot lateral hiring market of 2021 notches record increase from 2020
Bar exam proposed for 2026 emphasizes lawyering skills
A new bar exam, slated to debut in 2026, will test more skills and fewer subjects than its current incarnation. The legal community is now invited to comment on preliminary outlines of exam content that, once finalized, will guide future test takers, law schools, and exam drafters as the new exam approaches. The bar exam is the test of legal skills and knowledge that most US … [Read more...] about Bar exam proposed for 2026 emphasizes lawyering skills
Law firm training: Treat the injury, not the pain
By Doug Striker I have a broken foot. I’m 100% positive that it’s broken but initial X-rays showed nothing. So, I am booting for a couple of weeks until I can get another X-ray, which will surely show a stress fracture that was indiscernible in the early days of the injury. So, now I’m taking pain meds to get me through to the real diagnosis. Why am I telling you this? … [Read more...] about Law firm training: Treat the injury, not the pain
4 components of effective succession planning
By Brenda Barnes Woody Allen’s famous quip, “I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying,” perfectly expresses the kind of wishful thinking that often gets in the way of preparing for the future. A huge wave of baby boomers has been pushing through the workforce and is now at retirement age or within sight of retirement. … [Read more...] about 4 components of effective succession planning
Survey: Law students need more skills to be ready for practice
A recent survey by Bloomberg Law offers insights on law students’ preparedness for practice. Bloomberg asked over 1,000 practicing attorneys, law school students, faculty, and librarians about the skills needed for practice and how well law schools prepared individuals to enter the legal profession. Responses indicate that new attorneys would benefit from having more skills … [Read more...] about Survey: Law students need more skills to be ready for practice
Fair compensation for lawyers in a competitive environment
By Brenda Barnes How to slice up the compensation pie has long been a problem for many law firms. The first question you may ask yourself is whether you have a well-developed compensation plan for your firm. After the announcement by Big Law that entry-level associates would start at over $200,000 per year, competition for talent has become even more fierce. So, what do small … [Read more...] about Fair compensation for lawyers in a competitive environment
What law firms have learned about working remotely
When the pandemic first hit, the professional world shifted to remote working in an instant, but many people viewed the transition as temporary. Two years later, it’s clear that working from home is here to stay. The more time we’ve spent working remotely, the more we’ve learned—and like everything else in life, our process continues to evolve. According to Cosmolex, a company … [Read more...] about What law firms have learned about working remotely
Worker well-being a priority for US employers, but program usage falters
Over the last year, workers around the world have been struggling with mental health issues—particularly burnout and isolation. As employers prepare for a post-COVID-19 world, a more holistic view of worker well-being is key to helping employees at all levels manage stress and remain engaged. A new report from The Conference Board, Holistic Well-Being @Work, examines what … [Read more...] about Worker well-being a priority for US employers, but program usage falters