Articles

Effective Communication Using "I" Statements

By Deborah London Baker
We’ve all been taught to avoid the first person pronoun. It’s been said that “I” is a word that causes all sorts of difficulties. It’s the letter in the middle of “pride”; it’s the letter in the middle of “sin.” “I” is often deemed selfish, egotistical, self-serving, and even disrespectful. But these much-maligned “I” questions and statements can be an important tool for effective communication, because they empower the speaker, enhance trust, and facilitate learning between colleagues.

Integrating a Law Firm Partnership with Family

By Anne C. Martin
Although I cannot speak for all lawyers who move from associate to partner and from single to married with children, for me, the key to surviving change has been accepting that a change to one aspect of my life means a change to the others. Everyone mentions the need for “flexibility” when talking about balance, but few mention “integration.”

Working with a Paralegal: A Primer for Junior Associates

By Malia Wheaton
When asked to write this article, I was excited to have the opportunity to share with junior attorneys what can be one of the most valuable resources available to them when starting out in their legal career: a paralegal. In preparation for this article, I spoke with attorneys and fellow paralegals to get their opinion on how best to utilize a paralegal.

Advice on Meeting Your Work/Life Needs

By Deborah Epstein Henry
In the Summer 2008 edition of the Woman Advocate Newsletter, Deborah Epstein Henry discusses "The Elusive Balance" listing the four parameters which can impact your satisfaction with work load and life as a lawyer. Click here for additional resources to help you find the elusive balance in your own life.

Swimming with the Information Current: How to Manage the Rising Knowledge Tide

By Cheryl A. LeeVan
Keeping current on new developments in the law is essential if you want to succeed in the practice of law today, but it is no easy feat in today’s information-centric world, where there is a seemingly never-ending flow of information available to us at our fingertips via the Internet. In this article, a smart lawyer recognizes the value of staying current, not just in the law itself, but in the trends that develop in the industries they serve.

Women, Lawyers, And Mammograms: A Perspective On Misdirected Advocacy

By Nancy J. Newman
I got it again. Half a dozen times now, I have received an email that is making its way around networks for women lawyers, asking me to click on a website to buy mammograms for poor women. A lot of time, money, and well-intentioned clicks are promoting the “get a mammogram” message. From pink-ribboned billboards on the train, to flowery messages on our grocery bags, the message is everywhere. But the scientific evidence that mammography really helps women is not so clear. Instead of promoting mammography, we should advocate that women get the facts to make an informed decision about getting a mammogram. To make a real difference in women’s lives, we should direct our resources to other issues.

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