ABA TECHSHOW 2013 starts this week in Chicago, April 4-6, so for this "Product Beat" we have a preview of some wares being demonstrated in the exhibition hall—including highlights from announcements released just in time for the conference. If you’re in town, stop by the Chicago Hilton to run these new products through their paces—expo-only passes are free. Watch for special giveaways and—whether or not you attend—be sure to take advantage of all the free trials.

When you're an associate receiving positive feedback for your intelligence, diligence, and impeccable work product, it's hard to fathom the need to start learning an entirely different set of skills for the later phases of your career. But success as an associate does not guarantee long-term success as a partner. Unfortunately, most law firms don't do much to prepare associates for their eventual role as part­ners; rather, they encourage the skills and attributes that make them valuable in supporting roles, primarily legal skills. Although your status increases and there may be some pay (and billing rate) increase associated with becoming a partner, this increase is bestowed upon you not so much because you are suddenly more valuable to the firm, but rather because the firm is investing in you and betting that you will grow into your new role. Promotion to partner is much more a forward-looking decision—a leap of faith based on what the firm thinks you can contribute as a partner—rather than a backward-looking decision to reward you for being a good associate. This is an important distinction to recognize because you will remain relatively vulnerable until you fulfill your perceived potential. ... KEEP READING

I sat in court recently listening as the plaintiff’s monotonous lawyer droned on about trivial irrelevancies. I watched the judge pretend to pay attention while most likely checking his Twitter feed. The few others in the room nodded off intermittently as the hearing dragged on. I myself began to ponder the zombie apocalypse. Was it possible it had already arrived ... and we just hadn’t noticed? I watched the empty eyes of the judge as the zombie attorney droned on. Was I becoming one of them?

A shocking number of ethics complaints stem from a very simple problem: lawyers not communicating with their clients. Clients pay for our time and effort, and they deserve to hear from us. Plus, our ethical obligations require that we be in touch. So, beyond it being bad business to ignore a client, it can be very bad for your career if disgruntled clients complain to the bar. To deliver great service and create positive client relationships, take the following simple steps to improve communications. ... KEEP READING

It was a 40-timekeeper firm with four name partners. For a long time, a senior partner had been giving his top clients massive volume discounts on top of rate discounts, and then staffing his matters with only the most senior staff. He racked up more than 3,400 billable hours every year. The firm paid him more than any other timekeeper, based purely on two metrics: billing revenue received and personal time receipts. Every year, volume grew and he requested more lateral hires to handle work he couldn't cover. But everything was not as it seemed. Volume was increasing year after year, but the name partners were taking home less and less money. Finally, management decided to investigate. The problem, of course, was simple profitability. ... READ MORE

By now most everyone is familiar with the “Bring Your Own Device,” or BYOD, trend—meaning the proliferation of lawyer- and staff-owned personal mobile devices used for firm business. But apart from being the latest buzzword, BYOD has distinct security implications for law firms. Let’s look at the way the profession’s use of technology has evolved over […]

Your clients have been talking about you since well before Al ... I mean Sir Tim ... brought us the global tubes. But the Internet continues to change the way those conversations spread. Admittedly, the process that people use to choose toasters and hotels can be quite different from that which they use to hire lawyers. But while specific paths may vary, be it toaster, hotel or lawyer, people gather information. And much of that information gathering is done online.

What do marketers mean when they say things like "mobile ready" or "mobile is the first screen"? And is this something that's really going to help you get more clients? Avvo's Sachin Bhatia is speaking on "Mobile Marketing Best Practices" at the Lawyernomics 2013 conference next month. We asked him why mobile is such a hot button for connecting with prospects and clients—and for a few tips on creating a mobile marketing strategy for your law practice. ... KEEP READING

Who are these “enterprising lawyers”? They're easy to spot. Just look for the more engaged and happier lawyers. Deeply invested in the power of the work they do for their clients, they have ample interests beyond the practice of law. You probably know one or two—you may be one yourself! In this interview, we talk with New Jersey lawyer Lynda Hinkle. In the four years since opening the doors of her law practice—just two weeks after passing the bar—Lynda has built it up from one lawyer and one office, to three lawyers and three offices. And she's done it with no debt and no doubts about what it takes to succeed: Guts, heart, a serious sense of humor, an unfailing support system ... and a drawer full of emergency dog treats. ... READ MORE

One of my clients met recently with a senior lender of a bank to explore potential referral opportunities. The lender said to the lawyer, in essence, “We do everything our competitors do but we have two unique lending areas: We finance yachts and art collections.” Does that mean people won't use that bank for other kinds of lending? No. But it does mean that when yachts or artwork are involved, people will seek out this lender.