Social media is here to stay, and forward-thinking lawyers are taking advantage of the networking opportunities it offers. But what about when your consumer client seeks you out to connect on social media? Should you accept connection requests from clients?

Stop — what you are doing? Flames are pouring out of the next room! It doesn't matter how this started. (A freak coffeemaker explosion, maybe?) It's time for you to go! Later, you will find out that your office is a total loss. All your files went up in smoke, and the water from the fire hose destroyed what was left of your electronics. Your hard drives were shattered into a million pieces by the falling structure. On a scale of 1 to 5, how f**ked is your practice? ... READ MORE

I often rationalize new gadget purchases by telling myself, "This will make my life so much better." That, in essence, has been the promise of most technology tools. They expand our capabilities and allow us to do more with less. But, to do so, control is absolutely key. You need to control your technology, as opposed to it controlling you. Here are some tips that have worked for me. ... READ MORE

The amazing array of communication technologies at our fingertips allows us to connect with clients, colleagues and resources across the world in ways unknown and unheard of just 10 years ago. On the flip side, many things get lost in communication when it’s not face to face, which presents some new challenges. Attorneys often play by their own set of rules when it comes to virtual communication. Unfortunately, poor communication habits can become magnified in the high-pressure legal environment — which not only reinforces bad cliches about the profession, but can also disrupt your ability to work efficiently and effectively. ... READ MORE

Some years back, I worked with the very smart managing partner of an AmLaw 200 law firm. He was an extraordinary lawyer and a strong, thoughtful leader. But he had this thing about making his firm bigger. More accurately, he wanted it to be the biggest in his market. He hated it when I asked why he wanted it to be the biggest. Surely that was self-evident?

Online local directories (like Google+ Local, Yelp and Avvo) attract billions of searches a month combined. Those searching include potential qualified clients looking for a certain type of lawyer in a certain location. They are not shopping for information but for an actual professional, and are ready to fill out a form or call to speak to someone.

Question: Is there any room for personality in your professional biography? You don't want to be boring, but how informal can you get? Today LMA experts, Seth M. Apple, Dorothy Rausa and Stacy A. Smith answer the question to make sure potential clients know who you really are ... READ MORE

As lawyers, we’re all busy. Some of us, however, seem able to accomplish more than others. How is that? Effective time management. Recently, I interviewed Albert Chang, Diane Costigan, Alan Howard, Thomas Ozimkoski and Vanessa Price about their secrets to successfully managing their busy lives, and I came away with some valuable insights and tips. Here are five of my favorites. ... READ MORE

As managing partner of my firm, I’m not just an attorney, but also a business owner. That means I need to use technology in a way that helps me keep organized and complete every task as efficiently as possible. Like you, I'm sure, I’m simply too busy to waste time. If you’re a lawyer or a business owner — or if, like me, you’re doing double-duty in both roles — here are three can’t-miss iPhone apps to improve your professional life and your productivity. READ MORE

It's gone now, but I remember the coffee shop across the street where we used to gather in the mornings to brace ourselves for the coming day and generally shoot the shit with each other. It was a shifting set of players from nearby law firms. There was a hierarchy, of course, that mirrored firm politics. The old guys had the central seats, the up-and-comers pulled in close, and the newbies struggled on the edges, trying to hear and hoping to participate.