Columns

A new parent’s 7-step guide to seamless networking

Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma against parental leave in the legal industry. Women face stigma because the burden of their work falls on their colleagues, and some people even see maternity leave as a “vacation.”

Dec 7, 2021 8:55 AM CST

Self-love for lawyers around the holidays

The holidays are upon us, and one of the first questions any stressed out, anxious or close to burnt-out lawyers should be asking themselves is “How do I feel about myself?” Unfortunately, that is not a question most people ask themselves first thing in the morning. We are all familiar…

Dec 1, 2021 9:12 AM CST

4 surprising benefits of using legal analytics tools

Legal analytics continue to be a necessary and growing part of how modern attorneys approach case strategy and research. Analytics tools enable attorneys to bring data-driven decision-making to their practice and business, improving both the quality and the efficiency of work they perform for their clients.

Dec 1, 2021 1:20 AM CST

How to effectively use legal dictionaries

Many dictionary users don’t realize the extent of the improvements that take place from edition to edition of a dictionary. Perhaps that’s especially true with Black’s Law Dictionary, which has been substantially remade over the past quarter-century.

Dec 1, 2021 1:00 AM CST

‘The Practice’ vs. ‘Boston Legal’: How the original stacks up to the spinoff, part 2

In October, I reviewed The Practice. It’s now time to take a look at Boston Legal, compare the two related series and crown the better “legal TV” option. As was the case with The Practice, I am going into this viewing session blind; I'd never before watched an episode of Boston Legal. Let’s dig in.

Nov 30, 2021 9:09 AM CST

Chemerinsky: Ruling in abortion cases will greatly affect women’s lives but won’t end controversy

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which involves a Mississippi law prohibiting abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.

Nov 30, 2021 9:06 AM CST

Once upon a time, it was big news when a lawyer switched firms

It’s an understatement to say that law firms have changed in the 50 years since I was first admitted to the bar. One of those changes was the demise, somewhere along the way, of what lawyers in my firm once called the Lemcke test.

Nov 23, 2021 1:28 PM CST

Year-end review: Legal software for business resiliency

2022 is right around the corner, and there’s no better time than now to conduct a technology audit to prepare your firm for success in the year ahead.

Nov 19, 2021 2:50 PM CST

How law firms can gain a competitive advantage with financial intelligence

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Rob Stote of BigHand, Michael Grupp of Bryter and Tom Obermaier of SurePoint Technologies about the recent report that the three companies commissioned to identify key trends among law firm financial leaders.

Nov 19, 2021 9:30 AM CST

A working mother’s 32-step guide to preparing for oral arguments

Appellate oral arguments are exciting, exhilarating and challenging. I’ve been presenting oral arguments since I was sworn into the bar; after 20 years in practice (first as a public defender and then as a law school clinic director), my arguments tally has almost reached the triple digits. It’s possible that my clinic, the Habeas Project at the Mercer University School of Law, holds the record in the Supreme Court of Georgia for the most cases heard in one day—three in a row on Cinco de Mayo in 2009.

Nov 18, 2021 9:02 AM CST

Can your law firm afford not to redesign its website?

Modernizing your website isn’t superfluous to your business plan—it’s a key part of its success, according to this legal sector-focused brand strategist and multidisciplinary designer.

Nov 15, 2021 8:53 AM CST

Is it foolish to litigate pro se?

"A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client." A phrase often attributed to Abraham Lincoln. Given that we see so many self-reps in our courts these days, this is as good a time as any to discuss this phenomenon, also known as pro se representation.

Nov 11, 2021 2:06 PM CST

5 tips for working with clients who stand in their own way

Recently, I had an immigration case, where my client was tardy on every deadline and patently refused to do anything beyond the bare minimum to aid their cause. I was emotionally drained by the case but buoyed by the positive result at the end. I must admit I couldn’t fight the impulse to remind the client that they had stood in the way of their own success.

Nov 2, 2021 10:18 AM CDT

A great criminal defense attorney is a zealot, despite its negative connotations

The defense attorney-client relationship is like no other. It’s a tie that binds two very different people caught up in a high stakes battle—over money, custody, liability, freedom—even life. A client tells defense counsel sacred secrets carried to the grave.

Oct 27, 2021 3:30 PM CDT

Chemerinsky: SCOTUS continues to hold the line on qualified immunity

Two unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decisions on Oct. 18 show the justices are continuing to broadly interpret qualified immunity to limit suits against government officials, especially police officers. Perhaps this will help fuel pressure on Congress to enact a law to revise qualified immunity, but so far such efforts have passed the House of Representatives and stalled in the Senate.

Oct 27, 2021 10:18 AM CDT