Law Practice Magazine
Table of Contents
FEATURES
Riding the Economic Roller Coaster: What Not to Do in the Downswing
How will you get your law firm through today’s economic crisis and emerge stronger? Lead for long-term best interests rather than for this year’s distributions to partners—and beware of these missteps.
LAW PRACTICE ROUNDTABLE
How to Survive in a Down Economy
Which strategies will help law firms make the adjustments necessary to keep on top in tough times? How should managing partners deal with the current squeeze on partner income? Here’s how smart firm leaders—whose firms vary in size from 8 to 1,700 lawyers—answer those questions and more. Participating are Ed Flitton, moderator, Ed Coultas, Tom Grella, Jim Lantonio and Mark Robertson.
Personal Profitability in a Downturn: Tips for Protecting Your Practice in Turbulent Seas
Even if you aren’t yet feeling the pinch from the economy, start preparing now with a hard look at your numbers—and your best opportunities.
Rethinking Your Marketing Budget
A task approach to budgeting for marketing means defining specific objectives and strategies, making it easier to assign dollar amounts to your activities—and to decide which activities need to be cut.
10 Tips for Building a Better Clientele
The impact of poor client selection and sloppy client service will be magnified when business begins to slow. Now’s the time to shape up your client base.
Is Office Rent Killing Your Bottom Line? Tips for Negotiating a Better Lease
Commercial rents, operating expenses and even parking costs are spiraling higher. Here’s advice on how to maximize your leverage with your landlord.
TECHNOLOGY
Hot Buttons
Watching the Digital Radar With Google News Alerts
Monitoring information about your firm, your clients and even your competitors is a snap with Google News Alerts.
Feature
Now You See It, Now You Don’t: Removing Hidden Data from Microsoft Office 2007 Documents
Deploy Office’s inspection tools and protect your clients-—and your firm—from embarrassing disclosures.
BUSINESS
Marketing
Things to Do in a Slow Economy: Investing for a Turnaround
When business slows down, put some of your extra time into low-cost marketing efforts. These ideas will have you in a good position when things eventually turn around.
Managing
Coaching: Making the Leap from the Remedial to the Strategic
More firms are using coaches to help high-potential lawyers meet performance goals—faster. A conversation with Diane Costigan.
Profitability
Survival of the Nimblest: Tips to Help Your Firm Adapt to Financial Change
From managing debt to freeing funds for marketing, here are ways to stay on top of the changing financial picture.
First Person
Prepare Now for Competition Ahead
Smaller firms shouldn’t be surprised when the big firms begin wooing their clients. But they should be prepared.
More Law Practice Magazine Content Online!
Take the Law Practice Opinion Survey. This month's question: What should firm management do in a down economy?

Perspectives
What's ahead for LPM, from 2008-2009 Section Chair Walt Karnstein.
FRONTLINES
Strategy
Maneuvering in the Downturn
Should you stay the course when the economic picture goes dark, or alter your direction? Here are things you’ll want to consider.
Trends
Selections from the Legal Market Basket
There’s a shift in smaller firms’ summer associate programs and a new niche for part-time general counsel.
News
Spotlighting Innovative Firms
For the first time, a legal technology firm earns the College of Law Practice Management’s InnovAction Award.
Five Things
Care and Feeding of Clients in a Down Economy
Times like these call for amplifying your client relations program. Here’s how to start.
Reading Minds
Top Titles on Pecuniary Matters
Joan Haratani, Patton Hyman, Diane Levin and John Warnick share their favorite books on the topic of money.
LPM News & Events
From the Law Practice Management Section
LPM launches the new ABA year with the return of a popular Women Rainmakers program and two new CLE teleconferences.
LPM Leadership Directory 2008-2009
A handy pull-out page with contact information for leaders and staff.
