This time last year, many of us were anxious for 2016 to end. But instead of smooth sailing ahead, I feel like the universe started 2017 by saying, “Hold my beer” and it has spun chaos ever since. During the past month, I’ve been looking back on the year's achievements and setbacks and looking ahead to 2018.

Brooke Lively | Many lawyers who own their own firms are frustrated by a lack of growth compared to other firms.

Seven years ago this month, Attorney at Work was born — unfurling the prospect of hundreds and hundreds of daily posts on law practice management issues of every variety. It was early days and the list of contributors was small. As the editors, Joan Feldman and I often stepped in to write posts. As the holidays neared, we decided to write together about something important to both of us: being kind. Looking back from here, the concept takes on even greater import.

With fewer people in the office over the holidays, it can be hard to keep work moving efficiently. Today, there’s a whole host of mobility tools to alleviate the pressure when you need to get the same amount of work done with half the staff. Workflow apps for billing, expense tracking and dictation let busy lawyers remain productive while on the move — and they give firms the power to optimize all available support to meet tight deadlines, no matter where people are working.

Most lawyers have to attend events. Clients have parties, law firms host functions, organizations hold galas and associations offer networking meetings. If you’re someone who detests going to these, particularly when you don’t know anyone, I am here to tell you they will be a lot less painful if you are prepared. Even if you never come to enjoy networking functions, you can make them both tolerable and productive if you go about things the right way.

Sometimes lawyers and law firms need to clean up online reputations sullied by lawsuits, bad press, negative reviews or poor social media choices. While there’s no magic bullet, reputation management is possible. There are two approaches you can take: Either hire a company to help you, or do it yourself. Here are the pros, cons and considerations related to both options.

Inserting symbols like paragraph (∂), section (ß) or degree (∞) doesn't have to involve digging through the Insert Symbols dialog box every time. Instead, make a shortcut key so you can insert the symbol without ever taking your hands off the keyboard.

Tips for Capturing Social Media Evidence. It turns out that sometimes you can believe what you see on the internet. Criminal defendants and civil litigants overshare on social media just like the rest of us. But heading into court, that tendency is less an annoying habit and more a potential self-incrimination. In their search for credible […]

They say, “work hard, play hard.” Unfortunately, this adage may normalize workplace behavior that can be very dangerous. In fact, a 2015 study found that workaholics are more likely to drink in excess than their peers. At many major firms, lawyers routinely work up to 60-hour weeks, so it’s no surprise they are especially susceptible to workaholism and addiction. Until recently, the potential consequences of a workaholic culture — addiction, anxiety and depression — were rarely spoken about.

Are you challenged to meet the expectations of clients who want more value without paying for it? You’re in good company. According to the Thomson Reuters 2017 State of U.S. Small Law Firms Study, 59 percent of respondents say clients who demand more for less are a moderate or significant challenge. But only 20 percent […]