Professional Development

Super Law: How ethical obligations can shape business and your practice

When framing the phrase super law in relation to sustainability with senior in-house execs and lawyers some years ago, people were puzzled by the concept. The notion seems counterintuitive to people steeped in traditional risk management.

Oct 29, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

What can you learn from a lawyer born the same year that you graduated law school?

In this new episode of Asked and Answered, Senior Writer Stephanie Francis Ward talks to Karen Kaplowitz about ways the experience pairing works well, having more diverse legal teams, and finding better ways to use social media in marketing.

Oct 28, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

The secret to successful lawyer leadership

Did you miss the class on leadership in law school? There probably wasn't one. And at most law schools, leadership lessons are, at best, an afterthought. Yet, from virtually the day we pass the bar exam, lawyers must lead teams: first staff, then younger lawyers, then case teams, and ultimately, perhaps, entire law firms or offices, large or small.

Oct 17, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

What are your everyday morning work habits?

We’re all creatures of habit, and lawyers are no exception. No matter our workplace or level of experience, our mornings can often set the productive tone for the rest of the workday—and even workweek. Some research has shown that having a morning routine can lead to increased work efficiency, create…

Oct 16, 2019 9:34 AM CDT

Oregon bar considering paraprofessional licensing and bar-takers without JDs

The Oregon State Bar's board of governors took major steps to liberalize rules around paraprofessional licensing and allowing people without law degrees to sit for the bar exam.

Oct 7, 2019 10:49 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Sentence in killing of tax lawyer; SCOTUS lawyers get 2 uninterrupted minutes

Former city council member sentenced for killing his tax attorney An 84-year-old former city council member in Cedar Lake, Indiana, was sentenced to 55 years in prison Thursday for killing his tax attorney. Jurors convicted William “Bill” Landske in August for the 2018 shooting death of Hobart, Indiana, lawyer T.…

Oct 4, 2019 3:22 PM CDT

8 ways to enhance workplace inclusivity through physical space and design

While it’s not far-fetched to speculate that changing office temperatures more than a few degrees in either direction could turn the thermostat into courtroom evidence, have entities that are committed to inclusion in the workplace considered whether a rise from 70 to 72 degrees might be enough to keep everyone more comfortable and increase overall productivity?

Oct 3, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

What advice do you have for lawyers experiencing seasonal affective disorder?

As the first day of fall kicked off last week, it’s clear that there’s been a decrease in daylight. According to the Cleveland Clinic, half a million Americans have seasonal affective disorder, a depression that occurs each year at the same time, usually starting in fall as the days get…

Oct 2, 2019 3:27 PM CDT

What are your best practices for working remotely?

Working from home can provide a plethora of benefits—more flexible schedules, having a custom work environment, and even avoiding some everyday office distractions. But working remotely can come with its own set of challenges, too.

Sep 25, 2019 3:00 PM CDT

Legal jobs leap upward in August

The legal services sector saw big gains in August. The legal industry added 4,100 jobs in August, according to seasonally adjusted and revised numbers by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase is even greater when compared with August 2018; the legal sector gained 5,700 jobs since the same…

Sep 9, 2019 9:59 AM CDT

How a kindergarten squabble, Perry Mason and a ruined dress lured this lawyer to the law

Now that you’re a lawyer, why did you choose to become one? Some can answer definitively; others scratch their heads and hesitate with a blank stare. Lawyer Marcel Strigberger shares his thoughts—and they go back to an indelible incident from kindergarten.

Sep 5, 2019 11:35 AM CDT

More law firms may close if recession hits; recruiter: ‘Once this party ends, it’s going to end very quickly’

A recession could be the final nail in the coffin for struggling law firms. The prior recession was an aggravating factor in the dissolution of several law firms, Bloomberg Law reports. They included Heller Ehrman; Thelen; Thacher Proffitt & Wood; Howrey; Dewey & LeBoeuf; Bingham McCutchen; and Dickstein Shapiro. Law…

Sep 4, 2019 3:11 PM CDT

Do you doodle at work? Does it help you stay focused?

Fast Company recently reported that doodling at work may help people be more productive.

Sep 4, 2019 9:45 AM CDT

For Kirkland junior associates, mock trial program creates court experience

The firm created the Kirkland Institute for Trial Advocacy, a lengthy civil mock trial program for associates that includes professional actors as witnesses, partners playing judges and hired jurors.

Sep 1, 2019 1:30 AM CDT

What was your best or worst public speaking experience?

Whether you’re a public speaking pro or a sometimes-nervous Nellie, most people at some point in their lives have had to address a crowd of people—albeit small or large. In the latest Asked and Answered podcast, Gerard Gregoire of Allstate breaks down some do’s and don’ts for giving an impactful…

Aug 28, 2019 1:17 PM CDT