Asked and Answered

How can Americans get the civic literacy they need for a functioning democracy?

ABA President Bob Carlson addresses gaps in public knowledge of history and government uncovered by the first ABA Survey of Civic Literacy 2019 in this special episode of Asked and Answered.

May 20, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

What will be the hot careers for the Class of 2019?

Practice areas like cannabis law, M&A and real estate law are currently hot, but the good times never last forever, says legal recruiting consultant Valerie Fontaine of SeltzerFontaine.

Apr 29, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

Your client’s gone viral—now what?

Drawing attention to a client's plight can be a great outcome for an attorney wanting justice in a case. But what do you do when your client is trending on Twitter for all the wrong reasons?

Mar 25, 2019 7:45 AM CDT

Bullying from the bench: How to cope in court

When attorney Roula Allouch got involved with Bullyproof, an anti-bullying initiative with the ABA Young Lawyers Division, she quickly saw that many members’ complaints were about judges.

Feb 25, 2019 6:00 AM CST

Finding the right fit: Creating a career you love

Getting the jobs you think you want may not actually be what’s best for you, and being honest about what sort of work fulfills you can help in choosing the right spot.

Jan 28, 2019 7:15 AM CST

Creating Order: Lifestyle tips for disorganized lawyers

Do you have a New Year's resolution to finally get your home and office in order?

Jan 2, 2019 5:15 PM CST

Good Conduct: Confronting confusion in the wake of #MeToo

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, many have said that they no longer know how to behave in a work environment–but employment law expert Gerald Pauling doesn’t buy that.

Nov 26, 2018 6:00 AM CST

How to convince clients you’re worth the cost

If a client can’t or won’t pay your retainer, they are not worth a discount, Janice Brown tells the ABA Journal’s Stephanie Francis Ward in this episode of Asked and Answered. But there are ways to explain your true value to a potential client who balks at the cost.

Oct 29, 2018 6:00 AM CDT

Election Protection: How lawyers can help uphold voters’ rights this November

Want to protect democracy and ensure voters’ rights? If you are looking to ways to volunteer during the 2018 midterm elections, there are opportunities available, especially for attorneys.

Sep 24, 2018 6:20 AM CDT

How difficult conversations can save working relationships (podcast)

Are you dreading talking with a colleague about an issue you're having with them? When approaching a difficult conversation at work, reframe it in your mind as a discussion that can help improve your relationship with someone, says Michele Coleman Mayes in this episode of our special podcast series.

Sep 5, 2018 6:05 AM CDT

Halting the hover: Dealing with helicopter parents in law school (podcast)

As an associate dean of the University of Houston Law Center, Sondra Tennessee has witnessed her share of helicopter parents. She’s seen parents ask law schools to switch their child’s professor, because they didn’t think he or she was a good fit.

Aug 27, 2018 6:05 AM CDT

Ask for help when you have an ethics quandary, says Lucian Pera (podcast)

If you’re working on a client matter and get even the slightest sense that something you’re doing may cause problems down the road, ask another lawyer about it, says Lucian Pera, the chair of the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility's coordinating council.

Aug 14, 2018 6:10 AM CDT

Why laughter belongs in your work life (podcast)

When her career was getting started in the 1970s, a partner interviewing Roberta "Bobbi" Liebenberg for an associate position asked if she would cry when things went south in court. "Why, do you want me to?" Liebenberg quipped.

Aug 8, 2018 6:10 AM CDT

Mounting a defense: Security expert shares tips on avoiding violence (podcast)

One of many lawyers’ worst fears is that a client, opposing party or even a random stranger may try to physically hurt them, often for nothing more than the attorney doing his or her job. In this episode of the ABA Journal's Asked and Answered, Stephanie Francis Ward speaks with Ty Smith, a retired Navy SEAL who founded Vigilance Risk Solutions, a security consulting business that focuses on workplace violence prevention.

Jul 30, 2018 6:00 AM CDT

Ask those in power to fulfill their obligations, civil rights lawyer says (podcast)

“Realize that sometimes those in authority haven’t done the right thing simply because the issue has not been brought to them,” Cruz Reynoso says, “When brought to them properly, very often public officials will respond affirmatively.”

Jul 17, 2018 7:05 AM CDT