Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Acquisition, getting new clients “from contact to contract,” is vital to your success. So why are so many firms struggling at the most basic levels? Guest Adam Reiman, director of coaching and live events at Lawyer.com, explains.Signing a prospective client starts the instant you pick up the phone. Clients are won or lost in those critical first moments. If you’re waiting to respond to calls or putting people on hold, you may be bleeding contracts. Prospect interest drifts away in minutes, while the average law firm takes more than three days to return an initial call. Is that your firm?It’s not just getting prospects to call, it’s about converting them to clients. Reiman, says, “Treat your leads like Fabergé Eggs.” They are precious and fragile.Reiman, a leader in legal coaching and law firm development, helps firms efficiently manage leads and turn an inquiry into a signed, paying client.In this episode: The art of being “nice.” The caller is in a tough spot. Respond quickly and show empathy. The value of in person appointments and appointment reminders. Explaining why you’re the right lawyer. What makes you special. How much follow up contact is too much, and too little. The right time to explain your fee (and how to ask for the money). Bonus: Reiman urges firms to give him a call (602-828-4415) for a free “secret shopper” experience where he’ll call as a prospective client, then provide tips and areas for improvement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you looking at your software as if it’s a partner in your firm?In this episode, Zack is joined again by Joyce Brafford, lawyer and practice management guru. They talk all-in-one practice management software vs integrators, and dive into the benefits of CosmoLex by ProfitSolv, a true all-in-one software.And for more about CosmoLex, Zack spoke with Erica Birstler at CosmoLex. Check out that conversation here.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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does ecommerce look like for lawyers?Can you be in ecommerce without a product-based business?Kathryn Smith is an ecommerce consultant based outside of Atlanta, GA. She helps entrepreneurs and small businesses launch and grow successful websites and ecommerce stores. Kathryn gives listeners actionable tips on: [1:25] How e-commerce applies to law firms and law firm websites [3:05] Website requirements for non product-based ecommerce [9:00] The mistakes people make when it comes to ecommerce [11:40] The best ecommerce platforms  [16:55] Kathryn’s book recommendation Resources mentioned in this episode:Girly Drinks by Mallory O'MearaConnect with Kathryn here: Instagram Twitter LinkedIn https://waltonbirch.com  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The votes are in (all two of ‘em!), and Dennis and Tom agree that Microsoft Teams wins the best collaboration software award by a landslide. It’s been awhile since the guys have highlighted Teams tips and tricks, so tune in for up-to-date, magical insights that can turn you into a Teams wizard in no time.Later, in keeping with the spooky season, Dennis and Tom creep through the Google product graveyard. The Big G is well known for snuffing out its own creations, much to the dismay of users, so the guys examine the whys and wherefores of these murders and whether you should hesitate to invest your time into new Google offerings.As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation you can use the second the podcast ends.Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for answers to your most burning tech questions.Mentioned in This Episode:A Segment: Tips to Make You a Microsoft Teams Wizard The Lawyer’s Guide to Collaboration Tools & Technologies: Work From Home Edition Mike Tholfson on YouTube Microsoft Teams Adoption B Segment: The Google Graveyard Killed by GoogleParting Shots: 7 Mesh Router Mistakes to Avoid 2022 LTN Tech Survey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women in the criminal justice system continue to face a number of different challenges and career barriers; especially as it relates to hiring, retention, and promotion. So, why are women lawyers underrepresented in criminal justice? Why do so many women leave the practice of criminal law? And, what can we do about it? Joining the podcast to discuss these issues is law professor and author, Maryam Ahranjani.Maryam Ahranjani is an experienced law professor at the University of New Mexico (UNM), where she teaches in the areas of constitutional, criminal and education law. She is also a textbook author, rule of law and human rights consultant, program manager and evaluator, and curriculum designer.By Maryam AhranjaniWhy Are Women Lawyers Underrepresented in Criminal Justice?Additional Resources ABA Task Force: Women in Criminal Justice ABA Criminal Justice Section ABA Young Lawyers Division Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rapid changes in cybercrime and the security that keeps it at bay have left many lawyers’ heads spinning. With so much continuous change, how do you keep up with ethical cybersecurity needs for your firm? To help lawyers understand current best practices, Sharon Nelson and John Simek talk through the must-have measures legal ethicists deem essential for all law firms and offer tips for finding cyber-insurance at an affordable price. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much growth is the right amount? How will you know when your business has grown enough?In this episode, Stephanie talks with Paul Jarvis, author and co-founder of Fathom Analytics, about escaping the growth-for-growth’s-sake mentality. They discuss the expectation of hyper-growth for business owners, and if that actually serves your needs, both professionally and personally. Listen now to learn why more growth isn’t always better.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 Posh Virtual Receptionists, Berkshire Receptionists, & Lawyerist Lab for sponsoring this episode. Your Opinion MattersHelp us make this podcast better by completing the 2022 Listener Survey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special Halloween episode, @theBar gets into the spooky spirit with author-historian, podcaster and tour guide Adam Selzer of Mysterious Chicago. Adam regales hosts Trisha Rich and Maggie Mendenhall Casey with tales of Chicago's haunted past from graveyard ghosts to notorious serial killers. Learn about the Chicago resident who had his house legally declared haunted, the truth behind the Candyman urban legend, the lore surrounding H.H. Holmes and his alleged "Murder Castle," and much more in this spine-tingling edition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Rachel Bailit is not an attorney, she’s an actor. So why is she a guest on a show about lawyers and legal issues? As an experienced acting teacher – in addition to an accomplished actor in movies, television, and live stage – Bailit specializes in teaching acting skills to public speakers, politicians, and attorneys.Telling your story in court is acting. It’s important to use your story, your voice, and your body in concert to create a relationship with your “audience,” whether that’s a jury or a judge. It’s about effective communication.Law school may prepare you for reading, interpreting, and writing the law. But what about performing? Authenticity and confidence create your courtroom presence. Get beyond explaining your case in legal terms to making your audience “feel” your story.Learn about “getting off book,” taking your eyes off the printed page and looking into the eyes of the jury or judge. It takes practice. Rehearsal is not just for stage and screen! Understand how to recognize and replace old habits and crutches – be aware of your every word, gesture, and movement. Just like the practice of law, the art of acting requires study and effort. But you might even enjoy it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also lawyers don't make enough money... maybe.An anonymous Illinois bar applicant took to Reddit to confess to cheating on the exam. Perhaps "anonymous" should be placed in quotes because the author proceeded to provide a ton of identifying details triggering a bar examiner investigation. Also, new data suggests lawyers should raise rates, but is that really true? And merger mania is back in Biglaw with two top-tier mergers. All that and a brief aside about Liechtenstein admiralty law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices