One of the striking things about law practice is our “sink-or-swim” mentality when it comes to junior associates. They do their law studies, we recruit them through various mechanisms, and then we basically just leave them to it. Then comes the “performance review” process, and at this point the problems with the system become evident. Most law firms do not have an effective performance counseling system. High performers are rewarded with financial compensation. Poor performers are noted during their performance review and given feedback about what they need to do better, and we congratulate ourselves on having dealt with the issue. Except that we haven’t. ... READ THE REST

Oh, I admit I was a little hard on my colleagues, but their idea was an old one we tried years ago to no avail. I guess they felt I was a bit harsh in the process of shooting it down (again) too, because when I left the room, I overheard one of the younger guys comment, “Well, isn’t he the cranky old bastard!”

The Annual Super Marketing Conference brings noted legal marketing experts from across the continent together in Boston (and is broadcast broadly beyond) to share their wealth of knowledge in a packed day of panels and presentations. The fourth annual edition, hosted by Suffolk University Law School and the Law Office Management Assistance Program of the Massachusetts Bar (LOMAP), took place June 5. The focus: "Building relationships to build business." We asked Boston attorney Sofia Lingos to report on the highlights. So here you have it: Friday Five (plus) great super marketing take-aways! ... READ THE REST

Find yourself feeling irritated? Frustrated? Downright grind-your-teeth angry? Maybe you skipped breakfast. And lunch. Maybe your spouse was nasty to you at dinner last night. Maybe you can't stand the way opposing counsel flagrantly misinterprets the law while jabbing his finger in the air. Maybe you've been deliberately made the scapegoat for another attorney's huge mistakes. Perhaps you have 100 different reasons, both legitimate and exaggerated, that have combined to create a swirling hot cloud of steam roiling between your ears, just waiting to blow. ... READ THE REST

Recently, I was blown away by how awesome a fellow lawyer’s office is. It’s not very big, but it has a standing desk by a window that overlooks downtown Phoenix, opening up the rest of the space for an oversize leather couch and armchair. I loved the layout, and he said he loved his standing desk. This inspired me to seek out other lawyers who use standing desks to hear their experiences. I created a survey and was surprised by the number of responses: 29 people from across the country told me about their personal and their firm’s experiences using standing desks. In one instance, the entire office uses them. READ THE REST

You're hardly the last lawyer to go paperless. But you probably aren't an early adopter like Donna Neff, either — her estates and trusts practice has been paperless for years. Like most, you're probably parked somewhere between the all-digital and all-paper camps — dreading change, but knowing it's inevitable. So we asked Donna, co-author (with Sheila Blackford) of the brand-new book "Paperless in One Hour for Lawyers," for tips on getting started — the right way. Going paperless has quickly gone from a matter of "if" to a matter of "when." Are you thinking of taking the plunge? Do the tasks seem so monumental you don’t even know where to start? Or maybe you've begun the transition but aren’t sure what to do next? Here are three easy tips to get you on the paperless bandwagon, and fast. ... READ THE REST

Question: With the warm weather, the annual "what to wear" debate is underway at our firm — and it's probably time to update and enforce a dress code policy. Do most law firms have a dress code? Should we have one? Why or why not? In this edition of "Ask the Experts," we have perspectives from Association of Legal Administrators members Maryann Arsenault, Bill Spohrer and Dorothea Downey. ... READ THE REST

Email! We may love it for its convenience or hate it for its omnipresence, but it’s tough to imagine a life, especially a productive work life, without it. But what you might really like to imagine are some new ways to enhance its daily use. Well, for the Gmail-using lawyers out there — and based on our contacts lists, there are an amazing number of them — today we have five Gmail “superchargers” from the experts on all things Google for lawyers. Yes, we asked Internet For Lawyers' Carole Levitt and Mark Rosch, authors of "Google Gmail and Calendar in One Hour for Lawyers," for some tips on nifty Gmail tools and add-ons. Here are their picks du jour. READ THE REST

You may have contemplated joining a virtual law firm at some point, or creating your own virtual practice. Aside from the initial technological hurdle, a virtual practice can be an easy and welcome new reality. The joy of kissing your office (and commute) goodbye. The allure of joining conference calls from your kitchen table. Admit it, setting your […]

Your relationships with clients, colleagues and other referral sources ought to be the focus of your client development process and your web presence.