It's unavoidably true: The business of practicing law is changing. And what it means to do a lawyer's work is changing right along with it. From time to time at Attorney at Work, we tip our hat to one of the new "enterprising lawyers" leading the charge. After interviewing so many, we find they have a few key things in common: Lots of energy, drive and creativity — and crazy imagination. Daniel Lewis is a young lawyer turned legal tech CEO whose startup, Ravel Law, is re-inventing legal research — and shaking up the world of legal information technology. Talk about imagination! ... READ THE REST

What's the secret to being a great interview? Typically, of course, you have to deliver a real, relevant story “of high consumer interest” to get the news media to pay any attention to you at all. But what if the media does come to you? Let's imagine you get a call from a reporter who wants your commentary on a major criminal trial that's been in the news. You’ve been selected because you are a respected criminal attorney — and now you're on. Rules for Getting the Interview Right. Here are a few rules — written and unwritten — for a productive conversation with a representative of the news media. ... READ THE REST

There are so many ways to collaborate now, with a plethora of helpful technology tools to choose from, based on your needs or wants.

Suffering through a disciplinary proceeding is bad enough, but when it’s done and the sanction has been issued, the experience isn't over. You must report the sanction anywhere else you are admitted to practice. Who Must You Tell? Mandatory Reporting. State bars, government agencies and federal courts that require you to be admitted to practice before them also require you to notify them if any other bar, agency or court has issued a sanction against you. The reporting obligation will be found in the rules governing the practice of lawyers before the particular entity. ... READ THE REST

As the holidays approach, a smart lawyer begins to ponder greeting cards for clients and contacts. This year, an electronic greeting may be your best bet to impress without spending a bundle.

Earlier this year, I listened to an episode of the podcast "Invisible Office Hours," where the hosts, entrepreneurs Paul Jarvis and Jason Zook, shared their morning routines. They don't begin their days by checking email and jumping on client work but by enjoying their coffee, reading Calvin and Hobbes, and watching the sunrise. According to them, their morning routines allow them to be less stressed and more creative, and more effective as business owners. My typical day starts with waking up to a blaring alarm clock and strong coffee, followed by checking email, social media and walking the dog. I’m the stereotypical stressed lawyer when it comes to how I start my day, but I know that others take a different approach. What is it that they do when they wake? It took some searching, but I found a few lawyers with nontraditional morning routines. ... READ THE REST

“Relax: re·lax (rəˈlaks/) v. make or become less tense or anxious.” Being tense and anxious can make you worried, uneasy, irritable, exhausted and even susceptible to illness, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, gastrointestinal ailments and depression. And, as we all know, being a lawyer is stressful and can make you unhappy. So, We Must Learn to Relax. Clearly, relaxation is good for you. The benefits of lessening tension and anxiety are enormous. It makes you think more clearly, work more efficiently, handle stress better, and live as a nicer, happier and healthier person. Of course, a two-week vacation with no responsibilities and no calls from the office would be great. But be serious, that in itself would be stressful. What would be happening back at the office?!? A better idea is finding ways to relax, to rejuvenate both mind and body, with small amounts of time. Here are five ways to take a “mini-vacation” with minimal time. ... READ THE REST

I am going to assume that you, dear reader, had no personal information leaked as a result of the Ashley Madison hack. You may have been curious — after all, who didn’t wonder whether they would recognize someone on the list? But let's set that aside, too. With worry and curiosity off the table, I suspect many of you think this story is yesterday’s news. I beg to differ. This hack caught my attention because of the emotional response so many seemed to have. Don’t minimize what happened here because, in my opinion, it impacts every lawyer in active practice. ... READ THE REST

I often begin leadership workshops by asking this question: What do you most look for and admire in a leader, someone whose direction you would willingly follow? What one word would you use to describe him or her? I’ve received hundreds of responses, including “Honest,” “Smart,” “Caring,” “Supportive,” “Fair” and “Inspiring.” “Humble” often hits the top 10. “Big ego” never makes the list. ... READ THE REST

"One of the only": the ambiguous phrase that keeps popping up. I don't know what this means — and neither do your readers. A recent newspaper story about Martha Stewart’s sale of her brand quoted a branding maven: “When [Stewart] started, she really was one of the only people in this category in terms of experts that were really relevant.” Let’s overlook the issue of whether Martha is a “who,” not a “that”