This post was written by Allison Shields: "A lawyer recently faced a situation in which she had agreed to represent a client at a hearing, had collected the fee in advance and made arrangements to meet the client at another location before the hearing.  The lawyer prepared for the hearing and went to the agreed-upon meeting place, but the client did not show up. Later, the lawyer learned that the client went directly to the hearing before the scheduled hearing time and handled it themselves. Then the client requested that the lawyer return the fee.

Should the fee be returned?..."

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Source: Lawyerist.com, 31 August 2010. © 2007-2010 Lawyerist Media, LLC. Reproduced with permission of the site editor, Sam Glover.

This post was written by Larry Bodine: "The most effective way to generate new files and revenue is through cross-selling, and the most efficient way to sell more services to clients is to create client teams. BTI Consulting lists client teams as one of a law firm's "Power Marketing Practices." However client teams produces data, relationships, lawyer activities, revenue goals and management work that overwhelms the team leader.

Interaction, the company known for its client relationship management software, is riding to the rescue with its new Strategic Account Management (SAM) program. According to product manager Jason Maeder the SAM program:

• Connects to all the information from Interaction's CRM system.
• Collects all contact information, activities, tasks and goals into a set of charts.
• Creates a client team workplace, so that team members and log in and see announcements, opportunities, activities and appointments..."

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Source: Law Marketing Blog, 26 August 2010. © 2010, Larry Bodine Marketing. Reproduced with permission of the author.

In the news: "Law firms are using behavioral interviewing, which probes how applicants handle tough or unexpected situations, to be more discerning in hiring by more quickly identifying top talent that can provide added value to clients already balking at paying for entry-level lawyers."

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Source: Law.Com's Daily Legal Newswire. 27 August 2010. Copyright 2009.  ALM Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Subscribe <http://store.law.com/registration/register.asp?subscribeto=nw>.

In the news: "Writing that courts have provided little guidance on what actually constitutes a "disaster recovery" backup tape as distinguished from an information archival tape, David Lender and Jason Lichter propose a test for courts to apply and clients to consider."

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Source: Law.Com's Daily Legal Newswire. 26 August 2010. Copyright 2009.  ALM Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Subscribe <http://store.law.com/registration/register.asp?subscribeto=nw>.

This post was written by Cordell Parvin: "Over time your first year lawyers will either become artisans or virtuosos. I thought of this idea because several young partners I coach have complained about the way the young associates who work for them analyze a problem. These very bright associates seem to only do what they are tasked to do rather than digging deeper when confronted with an issue and trying to figure out an appropriate answer.

A year ago I came across an interesting two part blog titled: Artisans and Virtuosos: Cultivating Adaptive Expertise in our Children--and In Ourselves. The blogger discussed ideas shared by John Bransford in his chapter "How Experts Differ from Novices."  In that chapter, Bransford outlines six principles of "expert's knowledge" and then examines their "potential for learning and instruction." The very first principle is..."

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Source: Law Consulting Blog, 26 August 2010. © 2010, Cordell Parvin LLC. Reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Susan Gainen: "While it is entirely possible that a Millennial law clerk has never worked in an office, it is absolutely certain that he has never worked for you. You have rules, standards, and expectations. The clerk's first day is the best day to introduce those rules which will set the stage for a good working relationship. Review these Questions for the Boss:..."

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Source: Lawyerist.com, 25 August 2010. © 2007-2010 Lawyerist Media, LLC. Reproduced with permission of the site editor, Sam Glover.

This post was written by Stephen Seckler: "In the past year, there has been a lot written about alternative fee agreements (including my own article in Lawyers Weekly).  More predictability is clearly what corporate counsel want and AFA's are one path to reach this objective.

But once the clock stops running, how do law firms ensure that their bottom line is not negatively impacted?

The answer, of course, is that law firms must learn to do what virtually every other business does every day:  law firms must find ways to control expenses.

There are a variety of ways that private law firms can accomplish this.  At this week's ILTA conference in Las Vegas, for example, KM guru David Hobbie is speaking about the http://www.seckler.com/afas-are-good-for-law-firm-marketing-but-what-about-profits/ in bringing down legal costs.

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Source: Counsel to Counsel, 23 August 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Cordell Parvin: "In just a few weeks I will be speaking to brand new first year lawyers. I always enjoy this opportunity and this year will be no exception. If you are interested you can click on Starting Right for Career Success and look at the slides I used last year.

I recently read an interesting blog post 10 Ways to be Wise Beyond Your Years by Scott Ginsberg, The Nametag Guy. Several of the 10 ways will apply to first year lawyers. The very first way is to learn by doing. I suggest that as many development activities as possible be learning by doing..."

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Source: Law Consulting Blog, 23 August 2010. © 2010, Cordell Parvin LLC. Reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Stephanie WestAllen: "And why are so many of them taking so long to grow up? Those are the questions addressed in an article in today's New York Times Magazine.

I wrote an article about working with Millennials in the law firm which will appear in the next edition of the ABA's Law Practice. I did not hypothesize why this newest generation to enter the workforce is so high-maintenance, but did discuss some ways to manage them..."

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Source: idealawg, 22 August 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

This is a guest post by Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk: "Many businesses have been reluctant to start using social media, and for good reason. While it can be a powerful marketing medium, it also comes with a lot of legitimate concerns. Accountants and attorneys are especially leery of it, since they have even more regulations on their businesses than most. But if you establish a comprehensive plan up front, you too can be reaping the rewards of jumping on the social media marketing train..."

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Source: Lawyerist.com, 19 August 2010. © 2007-2010 Lawyerist Media, LLC. Reproduced with permission of the site editor, Sam Glover.