Here on the cusp of the biggest holiday week of the year, it seems nearly everything that needs to be said already has been: "Seasons greetings!" "Happy Hanukkah!" "Merry Christmas!" "Thank you!" "Best wishes for the new year!" "Don't forget your mittens!" We've said them all—with feeling—upon arrival, departure and when raising cups of cheer. The truth is, the warmth and care of traditional holiday greetings really can't be repeated too often. So, yes, we have three more things we'd like to say to you.

Warren Zevon sang about sending “lawyers, guns and money” to get him out of a tight spot. But right now, it's lawyers who are in a tight spot. It’s getting harder to make it, every single day. Between the plethora of young lawyers looking for jobs, and the older lawyers clutching their jobs for dear life, it’s a jungle out there. If you want to survive, you need to know the law, the practice and the business. If you don’t know the law, go become a politician, used car dealer or waitperson and get out of our way. For the rest, here are some survival tips:

Forrester Research calls email “the workhorse” of interactive marketing. In a recent report, “U.S. Interactive Marketing Forecast, 2011 to 2016,” they see email spending growing by a mere 10 percent, but believe marketers will significantly increase spending on analytics to better focus their campaigns.  Whether it’s a client newsletter, holiday e-card or monthly missive to firm alumni, for years lawyers have been using […]

“Here is the file. Be sure to get me a breakdown by 4 p.m.” That’s it. That was the assignment, and I had no idea what it meant. Before I could even think of a question, my boss was out of my office and into his, closing the door firmly behind him. It remained closed. I checked […]

Yes, you can make all your holiday arrangements while sitting down in front of your computer. Online shops, electronic greeting cards, restaurant reservations ... it’s all pretty clean and easy these days. But there are a few—and we’re among them—who believe you haven’t really observed the holidays until you’ve made a mess with glitter and glue, pounded a few nails, baked your own cookies and volunteered to do some dirty work for those who need it. That is what today’s Friday Five is all about. So go on and make something already!

If you haven't already, you'll want to download 25 Tips for the New Lawyer. Even experienced lawyers say it's full of useful and thought-provoking perspective. And wisdom is far from a finite resource. Several of our readers and authors have responded with a hot tip of their own for new lawyers. Here you go!

Do you want to find a way to compete better at a low or no cost? Are you ready to be viewed as the most relevant expert in your field? Well, if more effective marketing is on your list of resolutions for 2012, give this one a try: “I resolve to make my firm's website more dynamic!" Better yet, here are three things you can do to follow through. With the possible exception of “lose weight” or “call my brother more often,” it will be the best thing you do all year. And the only out-of-pocket expense is a little bit of your time.

Having a podcast is a great way to differentiate yourself from other professionals, to display your expertise on a subject and to connect with other people. I’ve had the pleasure of being a guest on three podcasts. It’s a lot of fun to record a show. Recently, I attended PodcampAZ, One of the presenters was Evo Terra. Evo was the 40th podcaster on the planet. Here are some of the lessons he’s learned in the seven years he’s been a podcaster.

Giving the gift of doing good in the names of clients and other special someones for the holidays is a lovely way to say “Thank you!” for their business and support this year. And, while charitable gifting is worth doing in and of itself, as a nice collateral benefit you’re building goodwill in the community. Plus, with the clock ticking on the shopping season, think about this: Myriad organizations allow you to give in another’s name online, and a boatload will send an ecard announcing your gift in lickety-split time. Joy White offers a sampling of the many click-to-give-good options.

At Attorney at Work, we believe virtually no event is too small to justify some sort of celebration. In the workplace, it’s one way managers recognize the value of contribution, build camaraderie and keep everyone’s chin up. At home, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other accomplishments can keep any member of the family from being too […]