Recently, a lawyer who said he'd "been given the chance to meet with my dream client" asked for help preparing for that meeting. He allowed that, "they're not adding any new panel counsel yet, but I was still given the opportunity to meet with the decision-maker!" Many of you may have experienced this kind of elation at gaining an audience with a coveted prospect. You may also have experienced disappointment when nothing came of it. ... READ THE REST

What’s the “bare minimum” technology a lawyer needs to start up a solo law practice today? For this month's Friday 5+ Tech Tips, we asked practice management tech experts Jim Calloway, Heidi Alexander, Catherine Sanders Reach and Carole Levitt for their best advice for startups. READ THE REST

Recently, I was talking with a lawyer who had been referred a very nice piece of business right in her practice sweet spot. She said to me, “I don’t even know how they heard of me.” Putting aside the suggestion that she ask to find out, it got me thinking about how important credentials are in attracting legal work. Sure, we all talk about the importance of relationships in business development, including building our networks and cultivating contacts. But the fact is that the world is changing and, with it, the ways that clients select counsel. Clients have new ways of finding information and like to do their own research. Why Your Credentials Matter ... READ THE REST

Website hosting basics are important to anyone with a website. Sure, the topic is about as thrilling as discussing dental hygiene, and the details may seem confusing when you start talking with your website designer and IT person. You need to understand what you are buying and what to watch out for, though, because bad hosting choices can lead to slow websites, security issues and miserable tech support. And that adds up to a waste of your time and money. READ THE REST

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