27 March

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It’s Spring! Preparing For The Stretch Run

Spring is here, or just about here. For law students, they’re making the turn and heading into the stretch. Only a few months remain until final exams. For students waiting for later to catch up, it’s “later” - now is the time to make good on self-directed promises. Typically, law students, especially 1Ls, have little left in the tank and are near exhaustion. Here are some tips for students to maximize all the energy, resolve, and hard work they have left. Celebrate. There’s no reason to panic if you feel tired and completely “spent.” You’ve made it this far through...

26 March

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Amenities Of The Attorney-Client Relationship, Part Two

Posted by cdtalaw

in CDTA, Law Practice, Soft Skills

Amenities Of The Attorney-Client Relationship, Part Two

Attorneys must remember certain rules of thumb when interacting with people publicly and professionally. They must behave as if anyone is a prospective client while never forgetting former clients. Of course, current clients must be treated no less exceptionally. The following are some useful rules of thumb for any client interaction. Current Clients *When talking to clients, give full attention to the client, especially during telephone conversations. *It is important to understand the client’s dilemma as the client understands it. Perhaps more importantly, it is important to know the client’s expectations. *Over the course of any conversation with a client, intermittently repeat and summarize...

25 March

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Amenities Of The Attorney-Client Relationship, Part One

Posted by cdtalaw

in CDTA, Law Practice, Soft Skills

Amenities Of The Attorney-Client Relationship, Part One

The following tips are related to certain amenities that attorneys must offer prospective, current, and former clients. Attorneys must present themselves to the public in a courteous, dignified, professional manner during the workday whether they are in court, in a meeting, or even casually at lunch. Prospective Clients *Always carry enough high-quality professional business cards. Be prepared to deliver a concise yet comprehensive answer to the question: “What kind of law do you practice?” *Be prepared to deliver brief, summaries of the law to the questions asked by prospective clients whether on the phone, at the courthouse, or at a dinner party. These...

24 March

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Lawyers, Guns, And Money

Posted by cdtalaw

in CDTA, Law Practice, Soft Skills

Whether down on their luck, innocent bystanders, or just stuck between a rock and a hard place, people tend to turn to lawyers to help solve their problems. Attorneys expend a great amount of hard work serving their clients. They deserve to get paid like any other service provider. There will always be clients who, for whatever reason, whether because they are wary of lawyers or perhaps because they are just a little dishonest themselves, will look for any reason to justify (rationalize) not paying their legal bills in a timely way, or at all. Happy, satisfied clients tend to pay...

23 March

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What Do Law Firm Titles Mean?

Posted by cdtalaw

in CDTA, Law Practice

In 2020, there’s more to learn about the structure and hierarchy of law firms than simply looking at the names in the firm’s title. The practice of law has evolved from the traditional partner/associate firm structure to one more reminiscent of larger business enterprises that closely resemble a multi-tiered corporation. Three-quarters of all attorneys work in law firms. Modern law firms typically have various levels of positions with different titles, duties, and pay levels. These include individuals who are not lawyers that serve managerial, administrative, and accounting functions, as well as support personnel such as paralegals and secretaries. A firm may include equity and non-equity partners,...

19 March

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Transferable Skills Learned In Law School, Part 2

Posted by cdtalaw

in CDTA, Soft Skills, Training

Transferable Skills Learned In Law School, Part 2

The skills learned by law students are obviously useful to them as attorneys but are also transferable to any type of business enterprise. This is the second part of an article on those skills learned in law school that are universally transferable. The following is based on the book, “The Road Not Taken,” by Kathy Grant and Wendy Werner, the authors outline the skills obtained from the typical tasks, such as studying and participating in Moot Court competitions, associated with law school. Strong motivational skills This may include the ability to work under pressure, the ability to complete projects, and the ability...

18 March

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Transferable Skills Learned In Law School, Part 1

Posted by cdtalaw

in CDTA, Soft Skills, Training

Transferable Skills Learned In Law School, Part 1

Lawyers learn many skills in law school including hard skills, which include the knowledge of the substantive law, and soft skills, which include analytical, managerial, and interpersonal skills. Not every law school graduate may find that he or she wants to use a law degree to practice law. Fortunately, as will be discussed in this blog in the coming year, law students learn many skills in law school that are transferable to almost any business. The following is based on the book, “The Road Not Taken,” by Kathy Grant and Wendy Werner, the authors outline the skills obtained from the daily...

17 March

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Substance Abuse And The Other Bar

Posted by cdtalaw

in CDTA, High Pressure, Lawyers & Substance Abuse

Working long hours and dealing with the difficult challenges posed by their clients’ legal matters is a source of overwhelming stress for many attorneys. Some lawyers deal with this better than other lawyers, while, unfortunately, many attorneys turn to alcohol and drugs to help them cope, which may create more problems than it solves. In 2020, there are many programs and agencies to which attorneys may seek help. The Other Bar is one such resource. https://otherbar.org/ The California State Bar takes substance abuse very seriously as evidenced by the fact that attorneys must include substance abuse education in the twenty-five hours...

16 March

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The Problem Of Substance Abuse Among Lawyers

Posted by cdtalaw

in CDTA, High Pressure, Lawyers & Substance Abuse

The Problem Of Substance Abuse Among Lawyers

A law practice often entails serving clients who are mired in a potentially bad situation. The most obvious example is criminal law where almost every case has the potential to send someone to jail or prison and deprive them of their liberty. In extreme circumstances, the consequences of a criminal charge may be life imprisonment or even death. Holding individuals’ fate and future in their hands is an enormously burdensome and stressful process that demands extensive focus and attention to detail while leaving little room for mistake. This kind of pressure on a daily basis may lead to problems with depression,...

12 March

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A Quick Guide To Running A Law Practice: Listening To Clients

Posted by cdtalaw

in CDTA, Law Practice

A Quick Guide To Running A Law Practice: Listening To Clients

It is interesting how humans tend to categorize, explain, and distinguish some of their most basic activities, like listening, even despite the risk of overcomplicating it. Yet, when researching the term “listening” on the web, it is confusing to find terms like active listening, reflective listening, and empathic listening, especially when they are used both interchangeably and distinctively. Regardless of the terminology or intellectual analysis applied to the term, attorneys must have superior listening skills, especially when interacting with clients. The listening process is also critical to the success of a negotiation or mediation since it shapes the listener’s response. In its...

CDTA

It’s Spring! Preparing For The Stretch Run

Amenities Of The Attorney-Client Relationship, Part Two

Amenities Of The Attorney-Client Relationship, Part One

Lawyers, Guns, And Money

What Do Law Firm Titles Mean?

Transferable Skills Learned In Law School, Part 2

Transferable Skills Learned In Law School, Part 1

Substance Abuse And The Other Bar

The Problem Of Substance Abuse Among Lawyers

A Quick Guide To Running A Law Practice: Listening To Clients

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