Question of the Week

Did you or your spouse work during labor and delivery of your child?

“How many of you worked while you (or spouse) were at hospital during labor/delivery of your child?” That question was posed by Keith Lee the other day on Twitter and brought to mind the birth of my first child. I went into labor while at the office and decided it…

Nov 29, 2017 1:00 PM CST

Does your workplace allow pets? Do you ever take your pet to work with you?

People love their pets. So much so that they’re nowadays considered to be part of the family. We’ve previously reported that it’s not uncommon for dogs, cats and other animal companions to hang out in law offices—even when clients are present. Bringing Fido or Whiskers to work may create a…

Nov 15, 2017 11:45 AM CST

What do you love most about being a lawyer?

Last Friday was “Love Your Lawyer Day,” an annual day of appreciation promoted the by American Lawyers Public Image Association to honor those in the industry. The campaign outlined different ways to show your appreciation, from taking lawyers to lunch to making donations in their name to a favorite charity…

Nov 8, 2017 10:51 AM CST

What is your law school’s best quality?

The Princeton Review just released its annual rankings of law schools. These rankings are largely based on surveys of law students, and cover a variety of aspects of the law school experience: the best professors, the best career prospects, the most competitive students, et cetera. So this week, we’d like…

Nov 1, 2017 1:23 PM CDT

Have you worked on any pro bono cases this year?

This week is the ABA’s National Pro Bono Celebration, and lawyers and law firms across the nation are participating in volunteer events. Many efforts this year are in response to ABA President Hilarie Bass’ Legal Needs of Homeless Youth Initiative. Pro Bono Net is marking the week by posting profiles…

Oct 25, 2017 12:53 PM CDT

Who are your lawyer gurus?

In a post at Georgia Criminal Appellate Law Blog, lawyer Scott Key cautions those who would take cross-examination inspiration from what’s seen on television dramas. “All the cross-examination gurus would tell you to forget that you ever saw a TV lawyer doing a cross-examination,” Key wrote. “Don’t go for drama.…

Oct 18, 2017 11:21 AM CDT

Is your primary work computer a desktop or a laptop?

As lawyers are increasingly expected to be able to handle work outside of normal business hours and from anywhere, the desktop computer’s usefulness seems to be on the decline. Still, according to the 2017 Legaltech News Law Firm Tech Survey, 45 percent of firms plan to provide desktop computers to…

Oct 11, 2017 12:02 PM CDT

What advice do you have for a winning legal career?

Last week at the Clio Cloud Conference in New Orleans, Preet Bharara, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, gave a keynote speech sharing five pieces of advice for success in law. “A good lawyer makes a living,” was the conclusion of Bharara’s speech, according to Above…

Oct 4, 2017 10:00 AM CDT

How long did it take for you to feel like you were a good lawyer?

At the Law21 Blog this month, legal market analyst Jordan Furlong asked LinkedIn followers who started their careers as law firm associates how many years of practice it took them to feel like “a reasonably competent and confident lawyer.” The median answer? Five years. “What those results also affirmed for…

Sep 27, 2017 10:00 AM CDT

What phrases do you hate hearing when talking to colleagues?

It is important to “begin a conversation in a way that doesn’t make it difficult for the person to respond, disagree, or add their perspective,” communications specialist John Stoker says in a post at his DialogueWORKS blog. He then lists some poor ways for leaders to start a conversation or…

Sep 20, 2017 12:25 PM CDT

Do you volunteer on a regular basis?

Many people chose to make Monday—the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks—a national day of service by spending the day volunteering. And the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in recent weeks has inspired many people to help with cleanup efforts—lawyers have mobilized, and even one…

Sep 13, 2017 12:17 PM CDT

Do you have clients or know anyone affected by the wind-down of DACA? What will they do now?

On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump administration would be phasing out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. According to a statement from President Donald Trump, no new applications will be processed, but existing work permits will be honored until they expire, and applications in…

Sep 6, 2017 1:15 PM CDT

Have you ever had to cope with a natural disaster?

Updated: Hurricane Harvey has devastated coastal Texas, causing at least 38 deaths and damaging tens of thousands of homes. Lawyers, paralegals and law students who want to lend their skills to help those affected should check here for information on how to do so. But this week we’d also like…

Aug 30, 2017 2:19 PM CDT

Tell us about a client who truly helped with his or her case

Taylor Swift’s “blunt, powerful testimony” in her recent trial grabbed headlines and ultimately contributed to a favorable jury verdict. A Denver DJ had alleged that Swift fabricated an allegation that the DJ groped her and that cost him his job. He sought $3 million in damages. Swift’s lawyer, Venable partner…

Aug 23, 2017 12:30 PM CDT

How have you dealt with job-related stress?

How job-related stress affects lawyers’ mental health has recently come to the fore. (Even the last season of Better Call Saul took a hard look at stress and mental health in the profession.) But “getting help is risky,” lawyer coach J. Kim Wright recently wrote. “We fear being seen as…

Aug 16, 2017 11:37 AM CDT