Lawyers in small firms don’t have large-scale technology systems or billing departments to help get invoices out the door. When the time comes to give a client an invoice, it is pretty much up to the individual attorney to make it happen. Done right, the invoice is a powerful tool for maximizing your success — not just in terms of securing payment, but for building client loyalty and even marketing your services. On the other hand, invoices that are poorly prepared and don't meet client expectations can have a powerfully negative impact on the client relationship.

“All professions are a conspiracy against the laity,” said George Bernard Shaw. In the legal profession, the best evidence of a conspiracy is the often impenetrable density and complexity of the law. It’s almost impossible for laypersons to understand the law and its processes. Lawyers perpetuate the conspiracy through their use of jargon and legalese. There’s been a great deal of discussion, writing and study related to the costs of using legalese. But it does not seem there’s been much progress in convincing lawyers to communicate in a simpler, more accessible way.

The legal profession, marketing technology, and clients’ buying habits are changing dramatically. Lawyers need to think differently about marketing, lead generation, big data, project delivery and leadership. Here are 10 things that should be on your radar heading into 2017.

Finally, 2016 has drawn to a close — and what a long, strange trip! Whether politics, entertainment or legal technology, it was an eventful year, to say the least. Fortunately, legal technology was a bit less tumultuous than the political scene. In fact, many of the themes that emerged throughout the year were downright predictable — if you knew what to look for.

How will you make 2017 the best year yet? All week, Attorney at Work advisors and contributors have been sharing recommendations to help you out. Today, it's global strategy and marketing expert Gerry Riskin, practice advisor Jim Calloway, ethics counsel Megan Zavieh, legal marketing consultant Susan Kostal, and New York lawyer and wellness writer Jamie Spannhake.

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other."  — Abraham Lincoln. Abe Lincoln knew that success begins and ends with your own resolve. Today's inspiration for your New Year's resolution comes from law firm branding guru Burkey Belser, HR expert Susan Manch, marketing and strategy consultant Mark Greene, law firm web guy and Slaw.ca publisher Steve Matthews, and Attorney at Work's Merrilyn Astin Tarlton. Resolve now that 2017 will be your most successful year yet.

Just a few more days until 2016 takes a walk, leaving a blank slate for you to make your very own. Pressure's on! But we've brought you some help. All this week, more than a dozen legal industry experts are sharing their best suggestions for your resolutions. There's good stuff here! Today, it's mediator Teddy Snyder, Georgia practice management advisor Natalie Kelly, marketing guru Sally Schmidt, and "One of a Kind" author Jay Harrington. Notepads open.

Now that the gift-giving is over, we set to work planning for 2017. For a little perspective to start your new year, we asked a cadre of law practice management experts, “What's the single resolution you recommend for practicing lawyers in 2017?” And all this week, we're sharing their answers. Today, rainmaking trainer Mike O'Horo, practice management advisor Sheila Blackford, attorney Vedia Jones-Richardson, and Shawn Healy, counseling psychologist to lawyers, focus on ideas to fuel your growth and success.

The end of another year looms, with all of the appropriate reflection and slate-wiping. But now it's time to set your compass for the coming year. Want a little help drafting those 2017 New Year’s resolutions? We asked 20 experts, lawyers and professionals who work with lawyers, “What’s the single resolution you recommend for practicing lawyers in 2017?” All week long, we'll be bringing you their answers. Today, we start with Heidi Alexander, Ari Kaplan, Jared Correia and Catherine Sanders Reach.

For our annual "Merry Marketing Marathon," we Look back over the past year and select a handful of your favorite digital marketing posts. Light up your thinking for the coming year's marketing strategy with a thoughtful read of these five.