Stark County Law Library Weblog

Time to Start Planning your Law Day Activities!

2010-02-08T16:24:25Z

I know Law Day isn't until May, but good planning now saves a lot of scrambling later! See the ABA Law Day Checklist at: http://www.abanet.org/publiced/lawday/LD_planning_timeline.pdf for ideas on getting started.

"Are You Stuck in Groundhog Day?"

2010-02-08T16:21:57Z

This post was written by Julie A. Fleming: "Through years of school and various jobs and activities, we've learned how to persist even in the face of difficulties. Persistence is an important trait, since (in the words of one of my current favorite songs) "what's worth the prize is always worth the fight." No fight may mean no prize, and we've integrated that lesson in our professional lives. (Think back to law school, and I virtually guarantee you'll remember at least one class that would have stopped you cold had you not been committed to fighting your way through.)

An opposing principle is the concept of diminishing returns, in which additional effort doesn't produce additional results proportional to that effort. For example, when you draft a memorandum for a client, the first and second drafts are generally critical to the end result. By the time you get to the fifth or fifteenth or fiftieth draft (depending on the complexity of the matter at hand), you're making only small changes and word-smithing. A single word can occasionally affect the impact of an entire document, so experience is often required to know when you've reached the point of diminishing returns..."

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Source: Life at the Bar, 3 February 2010. © Life at the Bar LLC Blog, reproduced with permission of the author.

"Why Are We Doing This? Re-Evaluating Where You Spend Your Time and What You Spend It On"

2010-02-08T16:19:30Z

This post was written by Allison Shields: "Last month I posted on stripping down your practice, and I suggested that while procedures and systems can help your productivity, they need to be re-evaluated from time to time to ensure that they are working and that they are necessary.

This same issue arose during a number of my client meetings over the past two weeks. As I work with lawyers on streamlining their practices and improving productivity, we invariably encounter old, outdated, redundant or unnecessary procedures. Many times, the old procedures have become unnecessary because new technology has been put into place which takes the place of several old ways of working, but only some of the old procedures have been eliminated..."

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Source: Legal Ease Blog, 5 February 2010. Reproduced with permission of the author.

"How to Build Great Customer Relationships"

2010-02-08T16:17:20Z

This post was written by Cheryl: "If you pick the top three companies known for their extraordinary customer relationships; Nordstrom, Amazon and Starbucks, it's pretty easy to dissect their redeeming qualities...

Consumers still want to buy from real people and want to buy and associate with people and businesses who carry similar values and good will..."

The full text of this post is available by clicking on the author's name.

"Interview Strategies: The Challenges of a Coffee 'Date'"

2010-02-08T16:15:44Z

In the news: "Like the dating scene, the job interview process may start with a rendezvous for coffee at a local cafe. Although the meeting is held in an informal setting, the rules of interviewing apply, note consultants Valerie Fontaine and Roberta Kass. You still must prepare, dress appropriately and sell yourself. Presenting your case in a public place presents some challenges, however, particularly when the location is noisy and busy. Here are some tips for getting coffee with an interviewer without burning yourself."

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"How To Prosper in the Age of Going Solo"

2010-02-08T16:11:21Z

This post was written by Susan Cartier Liebel: "There is a very timely and accurate post in today's Wall Street Journal (H/T to Fred Abramson for bringing it to my attention via Twitter) called 'How to Succeed in the Age of Going Solo" While they focus on 'consultants' they also recognize this applies to all those who are forced (or choose) to become self-employed.

The article very nicely lays out the realities of the workforce in this country and how solos in many professions will keep growing, recognizing this is the future path for millions of Americans..."

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"'What's the ROI of Social Media?' Is the Wrong Question"

2010-02-08T16:06:31Z

This post was written by Michelle Golden: "Asking 'What's the ROI of social media?' is akin to asking 'What's the ROI of a telephone?' or 'What's the ROI of a computer?' or 'What's the ROI of e-mail?'

First, these are all tools. They all have the potential to be significant time-suckers. And they each can make us enormously effective. Depending on our purpose and actions with the tools.

Second, to truly gauge ROI--on a broad basis--you would have to consider ALL the cost to acquire, set up and maintain each of these over time. You would also have to consider ALL the value attained through the use of the tool over time.

To do this properly and completely would be an enormous job, would require some use of metrics, and some use of judgment or anecdotal evidence...

A more realistic and useful approach is to project desired ROI use-by-use or, in marketing terms, initiative-by-initiative..."

Learn more about ROI for tools by clicking on the author's name above.

Source: Golden Practices, 7 February 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

"Why You Need a Mobile, Paperless Office"

2010-02-08T16:03:03Z

This post was written by Randall Ryder: "Admittedly, as long as you can afford it, having an office is a must. But I also think that having a mobile, paperless, office makes life a lot easier.

Today, for example, I needed to accompany a family member to some unexpected medical appointments. There was no freaking out because my entire practice is on my iPhone and my MacBook Pro at home..."

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"Become a Great Storyteller"

2010-02-05T15:35:18Z

This post was written by Randall Ryder: "Every practicing lawyer, regardless of practice area, needs to be a great storyteller. At some point in the course of representing a client, effectively conveying their story will be critical to their case. When you have the spotlight, make sure you take advantage..."

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"The Keys to New Business in a Changing Economy (Part 1 of 2)"

2010-02-05T15:33:19Z

This post was written by Jim Hassett: "When the economy changes, lawyers must change too. New client demands and new levels of competition are requiring lawyers to rethink the way they develop business.

When I wrote the book Legal Business Development: A Step by Step Guide a few years ago, I outlined the steps each lawyer should take to find their unique individual answer to the question, "What should I do today to increase new business?"

The fundamentals of marketing have not changed since then, but the world has. In the current economy, every lawyer must focus first on defensive marketing - protecting the clients and referral sources they already have - and on providing clients with more value...

If you agree that defensive marketing would be a good idea, where should you start? Review tactics that have worked at other firms, quickly pick out an item or two that fits your practice and personality, and give it a try. Here are five of the best tactics to increase client satisfaction:..."

Full text and active links are available by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Legal Business Development, 3 February 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

"Two Recent Ohio Supreme Court Decisions"

2010-02-05T15:29:56Z

Expert's Testimony Without Viewing U.S. Trademark Register Insufficient to Support Counterfeiting Conviction

From the site: "2008-2490. State v. Troisi, Slip Opinion No. 2010-Ohio-275...

Opinion: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2010/2010-Ohio-275.pdf

View oral argument video of this case.

...The Supreme Court of Ohio today ruled that a trademark-investigation expert's testimony that he is aware that certain trademarks are registered but that he has never personally viewed the trademark-registration documents is insufficient to prove by itself that the trademarks are registered on the principal register in the United States Patent and Trademark Office as required for a conviction for trademark counterfeiting under R.C. 2913.34..."

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Conviction for Escape Does Not Require State to Show Postrelease Control Was Orally Announced at Sentencing

From the site: "2008-2119 and 2008-2172. State v. Jordan, Slip Opinion No. 2010-Ohio-281.

Opinion: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2010/2010-Ohio-281.pdf

View oral argument video of this case.

...The Supreme Court of Ohio today ruled that, to obtain a conviction for the crime of escape for violating the terms of a post-release control order, the state may prove that a defendant was subject to postrelease control without proving that during a sentencing hearing the trial court orally notified the defendant that he would be subject to postrelease control. The Court's 5-2 decision was written by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer..."

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Source: The Supreme Court of Ohio, 4 February 2010

"Data Security Breaches Cost Real Money"

2010-02-05T15:25:05Z

From the e-newsletter: "A recent study relating to data security breaches in the United States shows that total per-incident costs are substantial."

"Following Up, Step-by-Step"

2010-02-05T15:22:41Z

This post was written by Allison Shields: "My last post talked about creating follow up systems to make the most out of your network. Some readers wanted some more 'meat,' so I prepared a more detailed, step by step guide. The permutations of a follow-up plan are almost endless; this example is just meant to give you some ideas to get you started..."

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"Simple Jury Persuasion: My Opponent Has Great Rhetoric, I Have Reality"

2010-02-05T15:20:27Z

This post was written by Rita Handrich: "...'Rhetoric', in modern times, is often used dismissively and seen as meaningless and perhaps manipulative as intimated in the phrase "mere rhetoric"...

In the courtroom, you can use the same strategy. Frame opposing counsel's oratory as 'rhetoric' and that becomes a code word between you and the jury for "meaningless and perhaps manipulative". You, on the other hand, have "reality"--a truthful and honest account. (Just make sure you back up that assertion with some facts.)..."

The full text of this post is available by clicking on the author's name.

Source: The Jury Room, 5 February 2010. Reproduced with permission of Douglas Keene.

"Here's a New Niche Legal Practice for Ya"

2010-02-05T15:16:47Z

This post was written by Tom Kane: "Niche practices can be marketed more effectively and cheaper than a general practice in my opinion. Law firms that promote their niche practices will easily standout from the crowd; and can charge more for the practice, if they do.

Two of my posts on niche marketing that come to mind from a few years back include "Narrow Your Niche for More Effective Marketing" and "Do You Have a Niche and What Are You Doing about It?" Take a look, because there is a hot new niche that just came on the market. And there ain't going to be a recall any time soon..."

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Source: Legal Marketing Blog.com, 4 February 2010, reproduced with permission of the author