If you find yourself intimidated by something you want to do in your practice, I suggest tackling something that intimidates you that isn't work related. Prove to yourself that thing isn't nearly as scary as it seems, and take that lesson back to the office with you. Then set out to crush the intimidation factor at work.

With more attorneys and law firms making the leap to cloud computing services in order to improve the way they operate as a business, companies like Abacus Next are stepping up to provide more comprehensive packages that address every single need in the legal industry

Well-meaning lawyers who struggle to balance their personal checking account may think the safest way to protect their client trust account is to find a knowledgeable bookkeeper or CPA to take charge of it. In practice, though, this can add up to an ethics violation for shirking responsibility to properly manage the trust account. The problem arises when the lawyer doesn’t merely delegate responsibility but actually abdicates responsibility for the trust account. What is the difference? Let’s look at two lawyers in action and inaction.

Every leader needs feedback. (Some need a little too much!) But, truly, how can you do your job without an understanding of what is going on in the lives of those impacted by your work? In the case of a lawyer, I’m thinking, of course, of your clients, past and current. But the lives, moods and opinions of your staff and colleagues count just as much.

Maybe this is the year you’ve committed to writing a blog. Perhaps you want to improve your client alerts or have just been given a monthly column. Talk about producing content under pressure! You’ve mastered the art of writing when you can write without being inspired. It can be done. After 30 years as a professional writer, here’s what I’ve learned.

Departing a law firm partnership can be surprisingly challenging — and potentially perilous — if you are not prepared.

Lawyers are judged by the written words we put on websites and promotional materials and in our primary work products, be they briefs, contracts, leases, warrants or wills. In an analog world, work products were buried in client or court files where few, outside of the parties to an action or transaction, would see them. In the digital world, work products may find their way to the web just like our other materials, there for all to see (perhaps forever). The upshot: When you publish any material, assume the world will see it. Strive to be clear and concise. Software like WordRake can help you.

With so many options for scheduling and tracking your meetings, deadlines and to-dos, how do you make it all work together? Today practice management technology experts Heidi Alexander, Tom Lambotte, Catherine Sanders Reach, Nora Regis and Lee Rosen tell how they keep their calendars under control.

No "space law practice" existed when Joanne Wheeler started out, but that did not stop her from building a thriving practice around her passion for the final frontier. Wheeler, an expert in satellite regulation, has held posts at both the European Space Agency and Ofcom (the U.K.'s communications regulator) and currently leads Bird & Bird LLP's satellites specialist industry initiative.

Congratulations. Your speech to the International Biometrics Association was a hit. A line of people are waiting to congratulate you and pay compliments. Many are simply being kind and expressing appreciation. However, at least some have a more serious purpose in approaching you: They want to tell you how the industry-specific problem you spoke about affects them. This is the Holy Grail of public speaking — but now what?