It's so comfortable to tell yourself all your clients want is for you to efficiently complete the matter, give them the bill and get out of the way. Comfortable for you, but not quite true. That's just what clients ask for. It's like those yellow sticky notes: No one knew they wanted them until they had them. Similarly, by doing things they didn't know they wanted you to do, you can surprise your clients with how much they truly like and value you. And once surprised, clients are way more likely to tell others how great you are.

Question: We’re a fairly small law firm—15 lawyers, 9 partners—but it seems like we’re always fighting about who gets the best offices. Every time someone retires or leaves, it’s like a circus with everyone arguing about the empty office … and who gets the office of the person who got that office. How can we prevent this? It’s incredibly disruptive and creates rifts among the partners that just don’t need to happen! ... READ MORE

Congratulations! Your law firm has a brand. In fact, maybe several. You may have no control over it, but when people hear your name and recognize it, they think ... something. So the first question is whether you want to control your law firm brand, or allow your competitors and random market forces to define you. The former seems preferable. ... READ MORE

Last summer we began our journey toward an automated, money-printing practice when we discussed how to use project management apps to manage your practice and your people. Pardon me while I make the assumption that your firm has not quite yet begun to operate 100 percent autonomously … with your only remaining role being the cashing of your clients’ checks (paid early, of course).

Computer security is a cat-and-mouse game, and we’re the mouse. Even with virus prevention and detection, says Don Wright, it’s only a matter of time before unauthorized programs and predators get past the gates. Still, there are steps to take to keep your client and law firm data reasonably safe. For this Friday Five, we asked Don, who's head of information systems at the Association of Legal Administrators, for some advice. ... READ MORE

If you use WordPress for your website or law blog (and you probably should), there are some basic optimizations you should consider making if you care about people finding your content in search engines. If you follow these optimization tips, you can avoid some of the most common WordPress SEO problems, and your website will perform better across the Internet.

Is anybody actually steering the ship at your law firm? Many smaller firms I visit across the country seem to have this in common: a passive practice management style, defined by reactive decision-making. Typically in these firms, managing partners serve part-time, without compensation, and their primary responsibility is to address staff-related issues and administrative functions—but only when absolutely necessary. The reality is that under a passive management style, no true firm leadership exists, and no one is steering the ship. This is particularly true in smaller firms for a number of reasons. ... READ MORE

Meet this month's Enterprising Lawyer, solo appellate specialist Walter Sargent. In 1996, Walter left the Colorado Springs office of a large Denver-based law firm to start his own solo practice focused entirely on appeals. The move was unprecedented. A senior lawyer at the big firm told him he'd starve within the first six months. Walter founded his new firm on the simple premise that—freed from the encumbrances and constraints of a larger firm—a first-rate appellate practice can offer cost-effective services to a wide range of clients. Walter, a former chess champion and top distance runner, has been among the Colorado Super Lawyers since 2006. ... READ MORE

Thought leadership. It’s a new term for an old concept—writing and speaking to enhance your visibility and build a public perception of your expertise. Lawyers have used thought leadership as a marketing strategy since the very early days of law firm marketing, although the forums have evolved from articles and speeches to blogs, podcasts and […]

Ever open up Google Hangouts or Skype to hear someone (okay, you) say, “Cripes! Where did that come from?” when the camera captures a side of your office you rarely notice? It’s not your bobblehead collection. It’s that sloppy stack of papers threatening to topple and crush innocent passersby. Sure, you could adjust the camera angle and forget it … but maybe you should pull your head out of the computer and take a good look around your entire office space. Like what you see? What does it tell clients about you? First impressions color the entire lawyer-client relationship. So for this week's Friday Five, let's talk law practice curb appeal. ...READ MORE