Who’s hot to get their hands on the sometimes-tarnished records of stockbrokers? Judicious investors and meddling journalists accounted for some of the 4.7 million inquiries about brokers’ histories on a popular public disclosure system last year. The surprise, though, is ...
Read More »Poll: Compensation essential for non-billable hours
If the client billings are not sufficient to support pro bono non-billable time, There’s a relatively new book with the overwrought title Lawyers Gone Bad, which contends that lawyers have abandoned helping the poor and middle class in their pursuit ...
Read More »Compensation essential for non-billable hours
There’s a relatively new book with the overwrought title “Lawyers Gone Bad,” which contends that lawyers have abandoned helping the poor and middle class in their pursuit of profits. However, the simple fact is that you can’t fulfill a broader ...
Read More »Brokers caught peeking at other brokers’ rap sheets
Who’s hot to get their hands on the sometimes-tarnished records of stockbrokers? Judicious investors and meddling journalists accounted for some of the 4.7 million inquiries about brokers’ histories on a popular public disclosure system last year. The surprise, though, is ...
Read More »Is exceeding client expectations desirable?
It has become a cliche that success is defined by doing more than anyone rationally can possibly do. “Giving 120 percent” or “working a 25-hour day” are examples of this kind of mindset. Lawyers are particularly prone to such thinking, ...
Read More »The art of appellate advocacy or waiting for a cat
About this time last year, in honor and celebration of my daughter’s long-overdue departure for college, I began compiling a checklist of items for lawyers to think about while writing and editing appellate briefs. I suppose I should feel a ...
Read More »Is exceeding client expectations possible or even desirable?
It has become a cliche that success is defined by doing more than anyone rationally can possibly do. “Giving 120 percent” or “working a 25-hour day” are examples of this kind of mindset. Lawyers are particularly prone to such thinking, ...
Read More »Kelley: Trial work is adversarial, so stop apologizing
As an arbitrator of personal injury cases, I often hear cross-examinations that begin with, “Ms. Smith, I’m going to ask you some questions about the accident. I represent the defendant, and I’m just doing my job. I don’t mean to ...
Read More »McFadden: Become a great attorney by gathering knowledge
After three long years of law school, two grueling months of bar study, a rigorous and unforgiving bar exam and a joyous swearing-in ceremony, you are now ready to become a great attorney, right? Wrong! Successfully graduating from law school ...
Read More »Trial work is adversarial, so stop apologizing
As an arbitrator of personal injury cases, I often hear cross-examinations that begin with, “Ms. Smith, I’m going to ask you some questions about the accident. I represent the defendant, and I’m just doing my job. I don’t mean to ...
Read More »Become a great attorney by gathering knowledge
RALEIGH, N.C. — After three long years of law school, two grueling months of bar study, a rigorous and unforgiving bar exam and a joyous swearing-in ceremony, you are now ready to become a great attorney, right? Wrong! Successfully graduating ...
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