CDTA

The Home Office

The Home Office

The digital age and the Internet have significantly affected lawyers’ ability to work at home. Today, many legal practitioners are choosing to base their offices at their residences. Modern technology allows attorneys to maintain accessibility and cost efficiency working at home. Basing a law practice at home is not for every lawyer. Anyone who is easily distracted may find working at home to be inefficient because of too many interruptions. Having to deal with children, spouses, or housemates may create too much chaos and disrupt any semblance of a peaceful work environment. It is beneficial to have an independent personality to...

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A Quick Guide To Running A Law Practice – Records, Calendars, And Dockets

A Quick Guide To Running A Law Practice – Records, Calendars, And Dockets

Calendaring and docketing help you to keep track of time. Records management helps you to keep track of paper. Many state bar associations often report negative audit findings related to attorneys properly tracking records and time. Malpractice insurance carriers expect attorneys to have two calendars minimally. One, a calendar that is typically on a computer (stored and backed up digitally), and, second, a manual (written) calendar. It makes a lot of sense for attorneys to make calendar entries themselves or, at least, have someone they entrust do it. The latter will require a consistent stream of communication and adequate knowledge of...

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There are Many Paths To A Meaningful Legal Career – Civil Rights

There are Many Paths To A Meaningful Legal Career – Civil Rights

Law students develop many skills, abilities, and qualifications during law school which transfer to other areas outside of the law. There are rewarding careers in government, education, labor relations, nonprofits, regulatory affairs, management, policy analysis, human resources, and strategic planning for law school graduates. And of great interest to any law student soon to graduate, is that there are a vast number of resources that provide information related to alternative and non-traditional employment for anyone with a Juris doctorate. There are several jobs in the field of civil rights for which a law school graduate may qualify. Many civil rights jobs...

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It’s Spring! Preparing For The Stretch Run

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...

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Amenities Of The Attorney-Client Relationship, Part Two

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...

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Amenities Of The Attorney-Client Relationship, Part One

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...

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Lawyers, Guns, And Money

Lawyers, Guns, And Money

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...

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What Do Law Firm Titles Mean?

What Do Law Firm Titles Mean?

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,...

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Transferable Skills Learned In Law School, Part 2

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...

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Transferable Skills Learned In Law School, Part 1

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...

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