In this three-part series, Frank Strong checks out the law cloud to see how we're doing and what's new. Today, he looks at the forces driving adoption among law firms large and small. To begin, he says: What’s new in the law cloud is nothing. At least from a technical perspective. … That there’s nothing new in the cloud, however, doesn’t mean nothing has changed. There has been change — dramatic change — but it’s a change in thinking, adoption and acceptance. READ MORE

Ever since Attorney at Work was in short pants, Friday has meant delivery of “The Friday Five” to your inbox. It’s our weekly collection of five … for lack of a better word … things: ideas, links, tips, you name it. Sometimes frivolous, sometimes quite serious, but always, every Friday, there’s “The Five.” Wonder which have […]

Every attorney I talk with likes to reminisce on the glory days of local search marketing, when doing well in “local search” was as simple as a full-size phone book ad, a call-tracking number — and maybe a few refrigerator magnets. While the '90s were great, times have seriously changed. Today, local search marketing refers to the practice of gaining visibility for a business in a specific geographic area through search engines and online directories.

Cloud-based services can be an efficient and cost-effective way to address a law firm's data management needs. While contracts for cloud services typically address data security and service reliability, sometimes practical considerations surrounding the need to preserve, collect and produce data from the cloud for litigation or investigatory discovery are overlooked. READ MORE

C’mon. We know you work long hours for what seems like an increasingly smaller paycheck. That you have to deal with belligerent clients, difficult judges and a schedule so overbooked that you hardly have time to take a breath, much less a lunch break. But stop! Your work is not your life, so don’t let it override what matters most — your health, your time with friends and family, your sanity. Sure, there are days that you have no choice but to plow through at 180 miles an hour, but here is some advice for the rest of them. ... READ MORE

Yep, it's another one of those great (and free) Attorney at Work downloads! Today we're tackling time: managing it, saving it, tracking it — and using it wisely. A Matter of Time: Time Management and Productivity Tips for Lawyers is 60 pages popping with productivity tips from our first-string experts. You'll find new articles on legal project management, timekeeping, writer's block, email overload and so much more, along with a collection of our most popular time-management posts. Plus, there's a brand new list of top productivity apps, compiled for us by NPP and Verizon. Grab your copy today and start building more productivity, and less stress, into your law practice. DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE E-ZINE

Recently, I needed a lawyer while out of state. I knew enough to know the law was different there — and that I was definitely going to need some expert advice. I also know more than a few things about how to find and engage a good lawyer. I thought the process would be quick and easy. I was wrong. Before the drama was over, this Friday Five was writing itself. READ MORE

It feels good to put your law firm's business strategy into action, doesn't it? No more time spent dithering over whether to spend the odd $50 on a banquet ticket. No more games of "my prospect is more important than yours!" You say you don't have a plan? Wow. Really? Well, there's probably comfort in knowing that yours isn't the only law practice managing the business side of things in a reactive mode. But surely it's cold comfort — especially when you realize what a difference it can make to have a strategic plan bubbling along. READ MORE

Nothing messes with your productivity like a clogged email inbox. Fortunately, it is never too late to polish up your daily e-routine — or to trash bad habits that are slowing you down. Andrea Cannavina is an expert in teaching lawyers to do more in less time. Try out her five favorite ways to streamline your email routine and see if you can't boost your efficiency ... starting now! READ MORE

Every year, law schools crank out twice as many baby lawyers as there are job openings, and every year we hear that the traditional market for lawyers is shrinking. The United States already has more than 1.2 million attorneys, and somewhere around 700,000 jobs. What is going to happen to us? Obviously, the value of […]