Professional Development

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

Do you act like a lawyer with your family and friends?

Lawyers are often taught in their careers to develop proper communication, analytical and research skills; to be able to pay attention to detail; and to have plenty of resilience and self-confidence. But sometimes your lawyer tendencies show themselves in your home and personal life. In your spare time, you may…

Aug 8, 2019 1:20 PM CDT

A smoking-gun document offered by ex-employee of opposing party? Beware ethical risks, opinion says

The scenario: A lawyer is offered access to a document from an opposing party’s former employee, who is not represented by counsel. The lawyer is told that the document will show that the opposing party is withholding documents in discovery. May the lawyer read and use the document? It depends…

Aug 5, 2019 4:24 PM CDT

Jobs in legal services sector increase for third straight month

The legal services sector gained jobs in July, the third straight month of gains. The July gain was small—the sector added only 100 jobs—but the increase from the same period a year ago is high, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The year-over-year gain was 2,400 new jobs, according…

Aug 2, 2019 4:38 PM CDT

2 bright spots in law-grad hiring: more BigLaw jobs, higher rate of JD-required employment

The job picture improved for law school graduates in the class of 2018, with increases in both the overall rate of employment and the percentage of graduates who secured full-time, long-term jobs requiring bar passage, according to the National Association for Law Placement.

Jul 31, 2019 10:06 AM CDT

First-year lawyer offers self-care tips and shares how he learned to quiet his mind post-law school

In this episode of Asked and Answered with the ABA Journal’s Stephanie Francis Ward, Michael R. Anspach talks about his road to success after law school, his self-care tips and how he learned to quiet his mind.

Jul 29, 2019 6:30 AM CDT

State orders training for judges after rape comment controversies; ‘good family’ judge resigns

Judges throughout New Jersey will undergo enhanced training following media coverage of controversial remarks made by judges in sexual assault cases. The mandatory training will focus on sexual assault, domestic violence, implicit bias and diversity, according to a press release by Glen Grant, acting administrative director of New Jersey courts.…

Jul 18, 2019 1:30 PM CDT

Want to go to law school? This teen has some tips

In this episode of Asked and Answered with the ABA Journal’s Stephanie Francis Ward, teen Haley Taylor Schlitz talks about her organization plans and how she’ll be spending the summer before starting law school at Southern Methodist University this fall.

Jun 24, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

ABA issues new guidance for splitting fees in contingency cases when a lawyer is replaced

On Tuesday, the ABA’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released Formal Opinion 487, which addresses fee splitting arrangements when a lawyer in a separate firm replaces the first counsel rather than works together on a contingency-fee case.

Jun 18, 2019 4:45 PM CDT

What one thing do you wish you were told about legal practice?

Mark Herrmann takes on a flinty, severe persona to lay down the law on legal practice in the real world. But as law grads draft their first pleadings, the former Jones Day partner advises a light touch. “Law schools, they don’t tell you how ferociously busy judges are,” Herrmann tells…

Jun 12, 2019 3:34 PM CDT

ABA group offers $5K scholarships to support LGBT public interest work

Law students or recent law school graduates who plan to work in the LGBTQ public interest field still have a few days to apply for a new scholarship being offered by the ABA's Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

Jun 6, 2019 10:12 AM CDT

Are law schools doing enough to help with student stress?

Few recent graduates think that their law schools made an effort to help students with school-related stress, according to a new survey from the test prep company Kaplan Bar Review.

May 29, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

Public speaking skills every lawyer should master

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Ashley Alfirevic of ABA Publishing speaks to lawyer and author Faith Pincus about how to ditch notecards, engage an audience and ask the right type of rhetorical questions.

May 22, 2019 6:00 AM CDT

30% of young lawyers in this state wouldn’t go to law school in a do-over

Many young lawyers in Florida are having some misgivings about their choice of a legal career or their particular field of practice. A survey by the Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers Division, released earlier this year, asked the lawyers whether, if they had to do it over again, they would still…

May 9, 2019 10:56 AM CDT

Jobs for Class of ’18 overall see ‘modest increase’ but with fewer graduates than last year

There was a slight uptick in law firm, government and public interest jobs for the Class of 2018, according to employment outcomes released Monday by the ABA’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Apr 29, 2019 4:36 PM CDT