Legal Talk Network

Is there potential for a mass exodus of women from the legal profession? Multiple studies have shown that the pandemic was harder on women, with increased home responsibilities falling disproportionately upon them and often leading to a continued need to work remotely, even after their law firms reopened. These shifts have had major impacts on gender parity in workplaces. Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway welcome Roberta Tepper to discuss these issues of inequality and what law firms should do to support women in the profession. 

Roberta Tepper is the Chief Member Services Officer at the State Bar of Arizona.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Alert Communications, Blackletter Podcast, Scorpion, and Smokeball.

Should you be hiring a SEO specialist for your firm, or is SEO dead? 

Also, millions of people are suffering as a result of the war in Ukraine. Is this an opportunity to market your law firm? Spoiler Alert: No. No, it is not — but the right answer for you may be more nuanced. 

The guys tackle these big subjects as well as answer questions from ABA TECHSHOW and the impending change to Google Analytics.

Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, Posh Virtual Receptionists, and Clio.

We all know the feeling…your stomach is tight, your heart is pounding, and if you’re like one law colleague, you might be hoping you get into a motor vehicle accident to avoid going to court. This episode of Heels in the Courtroom focuses on how to reduce negative nervousness and flip your brain to turn apprehension into motivation. But if you’re still afraid you might sweat through your silk blouse, tune in for a surprising pro tip.

For guest Jason Levin – author of “Relationships to Infinity” and founder of the firm Ready, Set, Launch – keeping in touch with past connections, friends, and mentors is a lifelong passion and the bedrock of networking and relationship development. Through his work, Levin has developed an intense interest in helping people develop and maintain personal and business relationships. Business, after all,  truly comes down to who you know.

Levin’s firm Ready Set Launch applies corporate brand management principles to personal and corporate relationships. It’s the stuff they don’t teach in law school but is a pillar of any successful law firm. 

Hate networking? Learn to overcome. Think you are doing a great job at networking? Maybe you aren’t. Levin helps professionals make new and maintain lifetime connections. Keeping in touch is foundational. “Let’s do lunch” and “keep in touch” have become meaningless phrases, but the art of maintaining relationships has never been more important. Go beyond social media, events, and transactions and start getting real with steps you can take right now. Today is the day.    

Special thanks to our sponsors LawClerk, Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Scorpion.

The Central Intelligence Agency, better known as the CIA, is the principal foreign intelligence and counterintelligence agency of the U.S. government. The CIA's primary job is collecting and analyzing foreign intelligence and conducting covert action, and U.S. policymakers, including the President of the United States, make policy decisions based on the information provided by the CIA.

On this very special episode of Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Ric Prado, a decorated hero and CIA shadow warrior, who spent years fighting to protect the nation and home that welcomed him as a child from a communist repression. Craig and Ric discuss Ric’s book, BLACK Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior, what the CIA does, how our laws as a country apply, and how they apply in foreign situations.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Posh Virtual Receptionists.

We’re joined by author and TV correspondent, Alicia Menendez where we talk about the concept of likeability in the workplace, especially as women attorneys.

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Thanks to LawPay, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

Guest Tom L. Drew is a longtime attorney in Des Moines, Iowa. He reached out to New Solo and host Adriana Linares for help modernizing his practice and getting the most out of today’s tech.

Drew is comfortable with computers, but he’s always looking for newer, better, more efficient methods. As a long-time paperless operation, Drew’s office was in a good place when it went remote during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As his office went to a work-from-home environment, Drew was quick to incorporate training sessions and provide the necessary tools to help his team set up comfortable, efficient home offices. He found that money spent on tech is money well spent, and speed and efficiency matters more than cost.

Hear how Drew upgraded software and replaced an on-site server with the cloud for a faster, on-the-go setup. Still unsure about cloud technology, OneDrive, Office 365, remote access, and document sharing? Learn how and where these pieces fit in a modern office.

Plus, we have a special upcoming mailbag edition on Office 365 and all things Microsoft. Got a question? Contact us at [email protected].

Topics: 

Guest Tom Drew, longtime solo practitioner, talks about his recent tech makeover and moving from a server to the cloud.

It’s not about cost, it’s about productivity and efficiency.

In today’s work-from-home environment, being able to collaborate, schedule, and share information is more important than ever. Tech isn’t only for new solos, it’s for established firms too. 

New Insights

 In our series New Insights, veteran attorney Jennifer Smith Thomas answers questions from new attorney Jennifer Townsend about the challenges of working with her father in a small, family-owned firm. 

 Question 2: “I work on cases with my Dad. In the South, it is uncommon to address your parents by their first name. How should I introduce myself and explain our relationship to new clients while being respectful of my Dad and not undermining myself as a new attorney?"

Special thanks to our sponsors, Lawclerk, Alert Communications, Abby Connect, and Clio.

Mentorship isn’t just giving work advice to a younger attorney. It’s a professional and personal relationship built on trust and mutual respect that benefits the mentor and the mentee. And you shouldn’t stop with just one! Learn how to find mentors, why you’ll benefit from building multiple relationships at various levels of experience and how to ignite effective mentorships in your firm on today’s Heels in the Courtroom.

The real world has been a bit too much for Dennis and Tom lately, so tag along as they take a little trip to the metaverse! They discuss what exactly this expansive virtual environment is, possible personal and professional uses, and what the future may hold for this growing technology. And, for all you lawyers out there, they consider how this tech could be applied to the profession. 

This time on the “Hot or Not?” segment, the guys air their opinions on the return to in-person conferences.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, and Colonial Surety Company.

We’re joined by Lawyerist Lab member, Russell Farbiarz, as he discusses what it looked like to take over his practice. We discuss how he got there and what to think about if you’re interested in doing the same. 

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Thanks to LawPay, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.