4 strategies for building the habit of lasting resilience in the legal profession

The legal profession has historically avoided talking about the problems of mental health and substance abuse among attorneys—until now.

Jan 3, 2019 6:15 AM CST

From courtroom to concert stage, this criminal defense lawyer uses her voice to push for reform

Rochester, New York-based solo practitioner Danielle Ponder treats audiences to her signature soulful beat layered with lyrics inspired by the five years she spent as a public defender representing some of her city’s poorest citizens.

Oct 1, 2018 1:55 AM CDT

10 Questions: This comedian and Oregon lawyer stands up against sexual harassment

ABA Journal: In 2002, you decided to move from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. Did you have to change your practice to adapt to a smaller legal community?

Mitra Shahri: No, perverts are perverts everywhere you go.

Sep 1, 2018 2:45 AM CDT

Billie Tarascio: Her law firm is her lab

Billie Tarascio is experimenting on her law firm for the profession’s greater good.

Sep 1, 2018 2:25 AM CDT

Stephen Manning: Replicating immigrant assistance

In the summer of 2014, as unaccompanied minor immigrants arrived at the border en masse, Stephen Manning was focused on a lesser-noticed but equally pressing problem: representing mothers with young children in family detention.

Sep 1, 2018 2:25 AM CDT

Lawyers and cognitive decline: Diminished capacity may bring ethics problems for sufferers

The most common ethical problem of a lawyer with cognitive impairment is violating the first rule of ethics—the duty of competency. Lawyers in solo or small firms often feel the impact more because there aren’t others in the office to pick up the slack.

Sep 1, 2018 2:05 AM CDT

Showrunners: Couple’s friendly fundraising competition launches marathon event

Lawyers Crystal and Michael Freed organized marathons and other events to raise money for legal aid and awareness of human trafficking.

Sep 1, 2018 1:30 AM CDT

10 Questions: This legal team brings a wild approach to their practice

Kansas City litigator Tristen J. Woods and his law partner Lauren Sierra Kruskall founded the Jungle Law Group to advocate for animals in civil and criminal court.

Jul 1, 2018 2:00 AM CDT

Some choices for legal billing software that really pay off

Efficient and accurate legal billing is essential for law firms. After all, if you don’t invoice your clients, you won’t get paid. That’s why, according to the American Bar Association’s 2017 Legal Technology Survey Report, legal billing software is used by the majority of law firms: 81 percent of respondents reported that their firms made time and billing software available, and 70 percent made electronic billing software available for use.

Jun 22, 2018 7:10 AM CDT

Police identify divorce litigant believed to have killed 2 paralegals and 4 others

Police in Arizona have identified divorce litigant Dwight Lamon Jones as the suspect who killed six people in the Phoenix area before he fatally shot himself Monday morning at an extended-stay hotel in Scottsdale.

Jun 5, 2018 10:34 AM CDT

How pro bono representations lead to paid work for lawyers

Pro bono matters can lead to paid work for lawyers. Attorneys have a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay.

Jun 1, 2018 1:00 AM CDT

Building a niche law practice rewards extra work, special training

In a challenging job market for young lawyers, a specialized legal niche provides a marketing edge for solo practitioners and better advice to clients.

Jun 1, 2018 12:05 AM CDT

‘I am not a racist,’ lawyer says after viral rant about Spanish-speakers

A New York lawyer who ranted about Spanish-speaking employees on a viral video says in a Twitter apology he is “deeply sorry” for his behavior. Aaron Schlossberg said seeing himself online made him realize that “the manner in which I expressed myself is unacceptable and is not the person I…

May 23, 2018 11:59 AM CDT

Average earnings for solo and small-firm lawyers was nearly $200K last year, report says

Sixty-eight percent of solo and small-firm lawyers believe they are fairly compensated for their work, according to an online survey by the Martindale Legal Marketing Network.

May 22, 2018 3:17 PM CDT

Which lawyers spend the most time on pro bono? ABA surveyed 47,000 for the answer

Eighty-one percent of lawyers surveyed said they provided pro bono services at some point in their careers, while just over half said they provided such services in 2016, according to a survey by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono & Public Service.

Apr 26, 2018 3:59 PM CDT