Professional Development

Nonprofit that offers mentoring to law school applicants seeks more volunteers

A new group formed by Harvard Law School students, which pairs mentors with people applying for competitive scholarships and graduate programs, helped almost 500 candidates during the most recent application cycle, and they are looking for more volunteers.

Feb 2, 2021 10:53 AM CST

Proposal for mandatory implicit bias training is rejected by Texas bar committee

A State Bar of Texas committee has unanimously voted against a proposal to make implicit bias training mandatory for the state’s lawyers.

Jan 28, 2021 11:36 AM CST

How your firm can use technology to build business and keep clients

As a longtime technology consultant to law firms, Heinan Landa knows that lawyers are cautious customers who can be resistant to change. But the old expectations around client service no longer exist, he says, and meeting the new standards requires a shift in the way law firms do business.

Jan 27, 2021 9:14 AM CST

Program aims to create new generation of civil rights lawyers with scholarships and training

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund aims to create a new generation of civil rights lawyers in the South through a program offering law school scholarships and civil rights internships and fellowships.

Jan 22, 2021 12:54 PM CST

Recruiting firm CEO discusses creating career opportunities in 2021

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Michael Potters, the co-founder and CEO of the Glenmont Group, a recruiting firm in the legal industry.

Jan 22, 2021 9:33 AM CST

Law firms should not rush lateral hiring, due diligence expert says

With the shift to virtual recruitment amid the COVID-19 crisis, the speed at which law firms vet and hire lateral partners has increased, according to Michael Ellenhorn, the founder and CEO of Decipher. But Ellenhorn, whose company helps legal industry clients evaluate potential hires, says law firms would be wise not to quicken the hiring process too much.

Jan 13, 2021 9:00 AM CST

Law firms may be at ‘tipping point’ for change because of COVID-19 pandemic, new report says

Law firms learned lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic that could translate to permanent changes in the way that they manage their operations, deliver legal services and treat their employees, according to a report released Tuesday.

Jan 12, 2021 3:06 PM CST

What it’s like to argue before the Supreme Court during COVID-19

Jeffrey L. Fisher has argued more than 40 U.S. Supreme Court cases, and he relies heavily on the justices’ body language during arguments. But that wasn’t possible for his last three, which were conducted by phone because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dec 28, 2020 9:00 AM CST

Need some advice? Here’s a roundup of our tips and tricks to help launch your 2021

At the ABA Journal, part of our mission is to provide useful, relevant advice for members of the legal profession. The past year presented challenges that left all of us scrambling for guidance, and we did our best to serve readers' interests in five major areas: their practice, their well-being, their skill sets, their ethical duties and their career transitions.

Dec 23, 2020 9:42 AM CST

Top 5 Your Voice columns of 2020

From what law students can learn from the musical Hamilton to tips on marketing your practice during the pandemic, the ABA Journal’s Your Voice section hosted a number of fascinating columns in 2020.

Dec 22, 2020 12:24 PM CST

5 ways to do more pro bono in 2021

For attorneys who want to do more pro bono in 2021, here are five ways to get involved.

Dec 21, 2020 1:52 PM CST

CEO roundtable with Ari Kaplan: Lessons learned, silver linings and the road ahead

One of the initiatives that Ari Kaplan Advisors launched in 2020 was a periodic Zoom-based CEO roundtable to discuss trends, challenges and objectives with market leaders.

Dec 21, 2020 10:30 AM CST

How late-career litigators can reinvent themselves as law firm mentors

“Do you have a minute?” In my job, the answer to that question has to be “yes”—almost always. No one arrives in your office with a pained look on their face, unless it involves something that needs to get done now. Maybe it doesn’t rise to the level of a practice crisis or emotional emergency, but the lawyer across from you wants to complete this task right away.

Dec 14, 2020 10:04 AM CST

Black woman is appointed to lead BigLaw firm as other firms ramp up diversity goals

The new global CEO and U.S. chair of Norton Rose Fulbright is the first woman of color to be in those positions at the law firm and the only woman of color to lead a top 200 grossing law firm in the United States, according to the firm.

Dec 11, 2020 3:04 PM CST

TV-star-turned-lawyer offers 10 acting tips for trial lawyers

“Son, if you want to be a trial lawyer, you never give up acting.” Those were the words of advice given to me by legendary Alabama trial lawyer Frank Burge when I successfully interviewed for my first job right out of law school.

Dec 10, 2020 3:23 PM CST