Practice, Practice
Peruse most law school course listings and you will find little mention of the business of law. You can ace the bar exam without knowing the first thing about recruiting or accounting.
But most lawyers soon realize that they aren’t just attorneys but businessmen and women, most with little or no training in how to run a small business.
That’s why we are debuting Practice, Practice, our new monthly section devoted to the business of law.
The section, which will appear the last week of every month, will be narrowly focused on the ins and outs of running a law firm. The emphasis will be on small firms because most Missouri lawyers are solos or in small firms. But the practical advice from business professionals will apply to all legal practitioners.
We would like to know what you want to know. So if you have a question about the business of law, please e-mail it to rick.jackoway@molawyersmedia.com, and we will try to answer it in a future Practice, Practice.
Richard Jackoway
Editor,
Missouri Lawyers Weekly
■ Practice, Practice: Going Solo (January 2010)
■ Practice, Practice: Benefits & Payroll (October 2009)
Climbing the pay scale: Move by some to merit raises creates new challenges for Missouri lawyers
‘You can be as flexible as you want to be’: The pros and perks of working for small firms
Small perks make big difference
Tips for setting up and maintaining merit-based systems
Health Care Reform: What you need to know now
Small businesses to raise premiums
Is a wellness program right for your firm?
Health Savings Accounts help employer, employee
■ Practice, Practice: Building Business (September 2009)
31 days, 31 ways
Tips to build your business in a month
■ Practice, Practice: Document Management (August 2009)
Overwhelmed? Getting organized can help make your workspace work for you
Electronic records support clients’ needs
Ethics rules govern file storage, destruction
Dos, don’ts of file storage, destruction
All those files take up space
Off-site storage may be solution
How to manage e-mail, fight inbox overload
Commentary: ‘I really do know where everything is’
One man’s struggle to straighten his desk … well, sometimes
■ Practice, Practice: Cut Overhead (July 2009)
Good walls make good neighbors
How to avoid ethical problems while sharing office space with other firms
Q&A With Lewis, Rice & Fingersh Chairman Jack Pruellage
Open doors to better lease deals
It isn’t always easy leasing green
Cut costs with Software as a Service
■ Practice, Practice: Succession Planning (June 2009)
Succession preparation: Lawyer’s death shows need, may prompt rule
Succession planning helps firms survive
Mentor talent to find next generation of leaders
Smoother transitions occur with plan in place
Unloading a law practice can be a load of work
How to keep your firm’s clients
■ Practice, Practice: Vacations (May 2009)
Can’t let it go? Hit these hot spots
Push for vacation rule on break
Books for the beach and beyond
Sabbaticals: ‘Removed from the grueling pace’
Take a break (it’s good for you)
■ Practice, Practice: Technology (April 2009)
Tips to conduct your own technology review
Blackberry vs. iPhone: Which should you buy?
The best iPhone apps for attorneys: Tech-savvy lawyers offer the lowdown on their favorites
Trim electronic discovery; cut costs to clients
What to consider when buying a laptop
Save thousands on technology for your firm
Technology spending still a firm priority: Tech leaders share ideas about IT budgeting
A solo guide to case-management software
■ Practice, Practice: Benefits & Payroll (March 2009)
Karl Truman’s tips for new attorneys
Keeping the office happy with perks that work
401(k): Is suspending a match the right thing to do?
Retirement planning: Big traps for small law firms
Sweeping COBRA changes have big impact
Supreme Court mulls pregnancy leave pension credit
Six FMLA changes employers, employees need to know
■ Practice, Practice: Marketing (February 2009)
Sponsoring public events promotes branding
■ Practice, Practice: Business (January 2009)
Cutting overhead can be a painful procedure
Putting together a diverse staff
Tough economy: Where do you cut? When do you hire or outsource?
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