Computer security is a cat-and-mouse game, and we’re the mouse. Even with virus prevention and detection, says Don Wright, it’s only a matter of time before unauthorized programs and predators get past the gates. Still, there are steps to take to keep your client and law firm data reasonably safe. For this Friday Five, we asked Don, who’s head of information systems at the Association of Legal Administrators, for some advice. … READ MORE

If you use WordPress for your website or law blog (and you probably should), there are some basic optimizations you should consider making if you care about people finding your content in search engines. If you follow these optimization tips, you can avoid some of the most common WordPress SEO problems, and your website will perform better across the Internet.

Of course, every lawyer’s website is different, so spend some time learning about how search engines work and the consequences of various WordPress configuration settings before applying them. Also, while you may not be comfortable making administrator-level changes, these are basic tweaks any Wordpress programmer should be able to do easily and quickly. … READ MORE

Is anybody actually steering the ship at your law firm? Many smaller firms I visit across the country seem to have this in common: a passive practice management style, defined by reactive decision-making. Typically in these firms, managing partners serve part-time, without compensation, and their primary responsibility is to address staff-related issues and administrative functions—but only when absolutely necessary. The reality is that under a passive management style, no true firm leadership exists, and no one is steering the ship.

This is particularly true in smaller firms for a number of reasons. … READ MORE

Meet this month’s Enterprising Lawyer, solo appellate specialist Walter Sargent. In 1996, Walter left the Colorado Springs office of a large Denver-based law firm to start his own solo practice focused entirely on appeals. The move was unprecedented. A senior lawyer at the big firm told him he’d starve within the first six months. Walter founded his new firm on the simple premise that—freed from the encumbrances and constraints of a larger firm—a first-rate appellate practice can offer cost-effective services to a wide range of clients. Walter, a former chess champion and top distance runner, has been among the Colorado Super Lawyers since 2006. … READ MORE

Thought leadership. It’s a new term for an old concept—writing and speaking to enhance your visibility and build a public perception of your expertise. Lawyers have used thought leadership as a marketing strategy since the very early days of law firm marketing, although the forums have evolved from articles [...]

Ever open up Google Hangouts or Skype to hear someone (okay, you) say, “Cripes! Where did that come from?” when the camera captures a side of your office you rarely notice? It’s not your bobblehead collection. It’s that sloppy stack of papers threatening to topple and crush innocent passersby. Sure, you could adjust the camera angle and forget it … but maybe you should pull your head out of the computer and take a good look around your entire office space.

Like what you see? What does it tell clients about you? First impressions color the entire lawyer-client relationship. So for this week’s Friday Five, let’s talk law practice curb appeal. …READ MORE