Book Review | “The Lawyer's Guide to Succession Planning: A Project Management Approach for Successful Law Firm Transitions and Exits.”

A while back, the Wall Street Journal ran an article that posed a critical question worth considering. A CEO of a highly successful company was challenged by a friend to sit still for 15 minutes in complete silence. And he bet him $15,000 that he couldn’t do it. And he couldn’t. “I never expected it to be so hard,” he said. “I found myself reaching for my smartphone every minute. I couldn’t shut down.” Could you? And why does it matter, anyway? ... READ THE REST

Video has become one of the most effective — and flexible — online marketing tools available to lawyers today. Whether you’re looking to stand out from the pack, build client confidence, connect emotionally, or simply attract and convert new viewers into clients, video can help give you a marketing edge. Video can be used for your website, YouTube, social media, television, newsletters — and even as part of your email signature. Here are a five video marketing tips to help beginners and veterans alike. ... READ THE REST

Last week ABA TECHSHOW celebrated its 30th anniversary in Chicago. With a whopping 18 program tracks, 80-plus sessions and 100-plus companies in the expo hall, it was quite a party. Couldn't make it? No problem. For this week's Friday Five+, Heidi Alexander, Natalie Kelly, Tom Lambotte, Sharon Nelson, Catherine Reach, Nora Regis and Reid Trautz fill you in on their favorite tips and takeaways ... READ THE REST

If you’re a nerdy lawyer, ABA TECHSHOW is where you go to geek out. (Wait, did I say that out loud?

In a feedback interview, a client told a story to explain why a particular law firm did not get the work after meeting with him. He said the firm brought a team of lawyers to the meeting and the partners were doing a good job of asking questions and discussing their capabilities.

My neighbor Charlie stopped me in the driveway the other night and asked, “Can you help me here? I got this stupid letter from some jerk lawyer, and I'm mad as hell!” He was red-faced, waving the offending letter violently. “Well, sure,” I replied, uncertain what kind of commitment I was making. I read the two-page letter, a response to a claim against the city.

Discussions about cross-selling in law firms remind me of the well-publicized discussions some years ago in the scientific world about cold fusion. Both represent their respective professions’ Holy Grail, but no one in either profession has made meaningful progress toward this elusive chimera, in part because of some very real and persistent barriers.

Does it feel like you can’t keep up with all the new kids on the block? (Nevermind keeping up with the digital marketing things you actually understand.) Worried that your office millennial will move on and you’ll have to figure out how to tackle online marketing all by yourself? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with this Friday Five roundup of marketing tips (and links) from around the legal web. ... READ THE REST

Arizona was hit hard by illness this winter. Several people at my firm came down with cold and flu-type illnesses. Even I got sick; but thankfully, for my colleagues' sake, I am not contagious. I have depression. This doesn’t make me unique. A 2016 study by the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation found that 28 percent of lawyers have mild to severe depression. That’s 336,000 lawyers! ... READ THE REST