Professional Development

ABA’s Practice Forward group puts focus on members’ needs, well-being

The challenges confronting the legal profession as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have been a prime focus of the 2021 ABA Midyear Meeting.

Feb 22, 2021 4:51 PM CST

Tampons and pads shouldn’t be prohibited at bar exam, ABA House says

The right of bar examinees to bring tampons and pads with them was addressed in a measure overwhelmingly approved by the House of Delegates at the ABA Midyear Meeting on Monday.

Feb 22, 2021 3:53 PM CST

Top tips for lawyers to boost their online reputations

In today’s online-centric world, lawyers often get just one click and one page of search engine results to make their cases to prospective clients. It’s the first and maybe only opportunity to showcase their credibility to clients in an increasingly competitive market.

Feb 16, 2021 10:55 AM CST

How to know when it’s time to send a client packing

Unlike other relationships, a lawyer-client obligation can spawn without the lawyer even consenting to it, writes Marcel Strigberger.

Feb 10, 2021 1:42 PM CST

Nonprofit that offers mentoring to law school applicants seeks more volunteers

A new group formed by Harvard Law School students, which pairs mentors with people applying for competitive scholarships and graduate programs, helped almost 500 candidates during the most recent application cycle, and they are looking for more volunteers.

Feb 2, 2021 10:53 AM CST

Proposal for mandatory implicit bias training is rejected by Texas bar committee

A State Bar of Texas committee has unanimously voted against a proposal to make implicit bias training mandatory for the state’s lawyers.

Jan 28, 2021 11:36 AM CST

How your firm can use technology to build business and keep clients

As a longtime technology consultant to law firms, Heinan Landa knows that lawyers are cautious customers who can be resistant to change. But the old expectations around client service no longer exist, he says, and meeting the new standards requires a shift in the way law firms do business.

Jan 27, 2021 9:14 AM CST

Program aims to create new generation of civil rights lawyers with scholarships and training

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund aims to create a new generation of civil rights lawyers in the South through a program offering law school scholarships and civil rights internships and fellowships.

Jan 22, 2021 12:54 PM CST

Recruiting firm CEO discusses creating career opportunities in 2021

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with Michael Potters, the co-founder and CEO of the Glenmont Group, a recruiting firm in the legal industry.

Jan 22, 2021 9:33 AM CST

Law firms should not rush lateral hiring, due diligence expert says

With the shift to virtual recruitment amid the COVID-19 crisis, the speed at which law firms vet and hire lateral partners has increased, according to Michael Ellenhorn, the founder and CEO of Decipher. But Ellenhorn, whose company helps legal industry clients evaluate potential hires, says law firms would be wise not to quicken the hiring process too much.

Jan 13, 2021 9:00 AM CST

Law firms may be at ‘tipping point’ for change because of COVID-19 pandemic, new report says

Law firms learned lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic that could translate to permanent changes in the way that they manage their operations, deliver legal services and treat their employees, according to a report released Tuesday.

Jan 12, 2021 3:06 PM CST

What it’s like to argue before the Supreme Court during COVID-19

Jeffrey L. Fisher has argued more than 40 U.S. Supreme Court cases, and he relies heavily on the justices’ body language during arguments. But that wasn’t possible for his last three, which were conducted by phone because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dec 28, 2020 9:00 AM CST

Need some advice? Here’s a roundup of our tips and tricks to help launch your 2021

At the ABA Journal, part of our mission is to provide useful, relevant advice for members of the legal profession. The past year presented challenges that left all of us scrambling for guidance, and we did our best to serve readers' interests in five major areas: their practice, their well-being, their skill sets, their ethical duties and their career transitions.

Dec 23, 2020 9:42 AM CST

Top 5 Your Voice columns of 2020

From what law students can learn from the musical Hamilton to tips on marketing your practice during the pandemic, the ABA Journal’s Your Voice section hosted a number of fascinating columns in 2020.

Dec 22, 2020 12:24 PM CST

5 ways to do more pro bono in 2021

For attorneys who want to do more pro bono in 2021, here are five ways to get involved.

Dec 21, 2020 1:52 PM CST