Professional Development

What can law firm leaders learn from a pandemic?

It may seem like an odd proposition, but we must recognize that most challenges present opportunities to positively shape the future. The coronavirus challenge is no different, writes lawyer Susan Smith Blakely.

May 14, 2020 8:30 AM CDT

Law practice vs. legal academia: Can we build a bicultural world?

The widest gap between the courthouse and the university is a cultural one, says lawyer and law professor Dan Canon. One can speak fluent legalese without knowing how to navigate the world of legal academia. So how do we achieve a better blend of the two?

Apr 29, 2020 8:30 AM CDT

Is my law firm preparing me for success in the next decade?

Every lawyer, from the solo practitioner to lawyers in large international firms, should ask themselves this question, says lawyer Thomas Aertgeerts. For young lawyers and law students, this is even more important.

Apr 16, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Law practice anxiety: How to dance with the demons

Given these trying times, let’s focus on typical practice irritants that bothered us just a month ago. They may seem trivial now, writes lawyer Marcel Strigberger.

Apr 9, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Some law firms delay start of summer associate programs because of novel coronavirus

Some law firms have announced that they are delaying the start date of their summer associate programs and shortening their length because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apr 3, 2020 9:54 AM CDT

How to practice law remotely and efficiently during the COVID-19 crisis

As people across the country are coping with countless changes in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the ABA Journal’s Asked and Answered podcast is taking a break from its regularly scheduled programing to share information with lawyers about how they can adjust to the world’s current situation—such as having to work from home, whether they want to or not.

Mar 30, 2020 9:27 AM CDT

Ethics and civil procedure are most important knowledge areas for new lawyers, survey says

A survey of nearly 15,000 lawyers sought to determine what knowledge, skills and abilities are needed by newly licensed attorneys.

Mar 12, 2020 12:04 PM CDT

How to achieve vocal power in and out of the courtroom

Public speaking is a crucial part of working as a lawyer. It is especially important for female lawyers who are claiming their vocal authority in speaking roles in courts.

Mar 11, 2020 9:32 AM CDT

Internal candidate is selected to lead the ABA’s legal ed section

William Adams, the deputy managing director of the ABA's Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, will replace Barry Currier as the organization's managing director of accreditation and legal education, starting April 6. Currier announced in summer 2019 that he would be stepping down from the position.

Mar 3, 2020 10:45 AM CST

ABA and SoFi offer student loan debt relief through new contest

Three ABA members could see a portion of their student loan debt paid off through a new partnership between the ABA and SoFi.

Feb 10, 2020 10:18 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Utah allows bar admission for DACA immigrants; first openly gay federal judge dies

Utah allows bar admission for DACA immigrants The Utah Supreme Court has approved a new rule that allows immigrants brought to the country illegally as children to gain admission to the state bar. The U.S. Department of Justice had opposed the move, citing the Trump administration’s decision to rescind the…

Feb 4, 2020 3:14 PM CST

Why you should insist on diversity in your law practice

How women are perceived matters. As partners like to remind associates, when it comes to making it, perception is reality, writes author and lawyer Suzie Scanlon Rabinowitz.

Jan 23, 2020 11:08 AM CST

Confidence in the economy is dropping among law firm leaders, new survey finds

Law firm leaders’ confidence in the economy is waning, according to a new survey by Citi Private Bank’s Law Firm Group.

Jan 16, 2020 12:45 PM CST

9 tips on how to dress for the courtroom

We’ve all heard the cliches: You only get one chance to make a first impression, dress for success, and you are what you wear. While these maxims are familiar, they are also true. You are judged in less than seven seconds, so dressing appropriately can help you win or lose your case.

Jan 16, 2020 6:30 AM CST

New survey finds No. 1 reason why partners leave their firms—and it’s not the most-obvious one

Contrary to popular belief, dissatisfaction with compensation is not the No. 1 reason why partners leave their law firms, according to a new survey of more than 1,300 lateral partners.

Jan 15, 2020 12:36 PM CST