It was a formal response to an RFP. Or maybe a pitch you finally made to that client you've been softening up for some time. And you were great! But ... no, you didn't get the work. It is so disappointing, that goes without saying. But it's important right now that you not let your chin drop to your chest or disappear behind your office door for a day of pouting. There are things to be done! So here's a simple step-by-step to-do list for after the client turns you down.

Fast and furiously delivered technology tips are our idea of good fun. So the ABA Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division’s “90 Tips in 90 Minutes” program was at the top of our “must-attend” list at ABA Annual Meeting last week. Panelists Jeffrey Allen, principal in Graves & Allen in Oakland, California, Ashley Hallene, a solo […]

We've been hearing some mumbling among our iPad-owning colleagues lately. Something about the keyboard? Given that most iPad owners are passionately in love with the device, this grumbling is surprising. Is it an actual flaw? Or is it that we want the iPad to be something that it isn't? Inquiring minds wanted to know. So we asked some of our iPad expert friends in the legal community to share their thoughts—and their personal solutions. Here's what they said ...

In "Attorney at Large: A Field Guide for the Mobile Lawyer," 15 inveterate business travelers answered our questions about working on the move—and gave up some of their hard-earned travel and productivity secrets. While each has their own ideas for smooth travel, they made it clear that a reliable, checkpoint-friendly carry-on is a must for the frequent flyer—so you can avoid having to unpack (and repack) your laptop. Here are their favorite brands for your consideration. Isn't it about time to stop getting all hung up at security?

As lawyers we’re required to do CLEs every year. (Groan.) My experience has taught me that Sean Carter was right when he said that CLEs are really CLAs—"Continuing Legal Attendance." You get credit just for showing up—no one really cares if you actually pay attention or learn anything. ...

There's a lot going on in Chicago this weekend, from Lollapalooza to the ABA Annual Meeting and the accompanying ABA Expo. In town and want a peek at the exhibitors' new offerings for lawyers? Friday's expo hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday's are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You don't need to be registered for the meeting to visit the expo hall—simply bring a business card. Although, if you're not in town for the expo, we don't want you to feel too out of the new-tech loop. So in this summer edition of Product Beat, we take a quick look at new products of interest to lawyers, as culled from our latest round of vendor announcements ...

The deal is done. The case is tried. It's over—now you can go home and rest. Tomorrow, you'll clean up this mess. Repeat. Soon, though, colleagues begin to comment about the federal disaster area your office has become. Next, you only take clients to the clean conference rooms. Ultimately, you retreat to empty offices to get your own work done. Or maybe your office is tidy and well kept. Maybe you don't hear disparaging remarks. Yet you do still have a number of client projects in various stages of completion.

Your firm makes you a partner based on potential—a belief that everything the partners have observed indicates you have the characteristics to be successful. You've got what it takes! But making partner is one thing. Staying partner is quite another. By now you know the metrics required for continued success in your firm (or if you don't, you should). You know what impacts profitability in your unique practice area. You know what partners expect of each other in terms of revenue, effort, service to the firm, and service to the community and the profession. They are all contributions that owners make in the business on an ongoing basis. But what if you're not cutting it? ...

We've been talking a lot these past few weeks about how much it costs to start a solo practice from scratch. We've had some terrific responses, including litigator John Snyder's checklist. This got us wondering, if you had the chance to pick all new technology, might you choose a Mac this time? We asked Brett Burney, who runs Macs in Law, for a primer on setting up a Mac law office. ...

You might think the gift of the gab is an essential skill for a successful lawyer. And it's true that knowing how to think fast on your feet and verbalize points quickly and understandably can be important qualities. But it can be just as important to learn when to simply keep your mouth shut. A lawyer who never learns how to bite his or her tongue may have a very short and unsuccessful career.