Law Practice Magazine
Table of Contents VOL 35 NO 3 - APRIL/MAY 2009
FEATURES
Innovation: Getting It Done
In a profession populated by strong, creative, analytical thinkers, getting a great idea is the easy part. It's the "doin' it" part that's the killer-but it can happen.
Running Ahead of the Pack: Trailblazers in the Law Firm World
When law firm leaders push through innovations that make their firms unlike all the others, do their moves affect the rest of the pack? Here are portraits of four firms-Summit Law Group, Exemplar Law Partners, Levenfeld Pearlstein and Novack and Macey- that have made the leap to become "something new."
Six Common Pitfalls to Change and How to Avoid Them
If you're serious about transforming your firm, beware of the obstacles and common mistakes-from choosing poor leaders and setting inadequate goals to relying on consultants and task forces.
Signs of Innovative Life in the Practice of Law
We've asked some of the profession's forward-looking pundits to help identify where innovation is lurking, just waiting to improve your life and your bottom line. Thomas Clay, Diane Costigan, Joan Feldman, Ron Friedmann, Jordan Furlong, Steve Gallagher, Steve Matthews, Jeffrey Nischwitz, Jamie Spannhake and Ron Staudt weigh in with perspectives.
Sparking New Ideas with Brainstorming Sessions
Believe it or not, there are plenty of good reasons a law firm would want to hold a brainstorming session. Here are guidelines to help ensure it's worthwhile.
Leading With a Forward Focus
As competition heats up, Big Law firms are pursuing ways to transform a practice in its target market's eyes for the long term. Here's a look at Foley Hoag's Emerging Enterprise Center, Seyfarth Shaw's process improvement initiative and other forward-focused approaches.
TECHNOLOGY
Legal Web 2.0
Using Internal Blogs to Heighten Firm Communications and Knowledge Management
Savvy law firms and other organizations realize the benefits of internal blogs.
Tips & Tricks
Is Anyone Out There? How-tos for Better Webinar Presentations
More and more lawyers are involved in remote CLE programs. Use these pointers to become the ultimate online presenter.
Hot Buttons
Capturing Quicksilver: Records Management for Tweets, Blogs and Social Networks
For purposes of retention requirements and ESI preservation, Twitter and similar technologies are giving records managers a Goliath-size headache.
BUSINESS
Feature
Sponsorships and Charitable-Giving Programs: Your Firm's Rights to Realizing a Profit
Do you know the ROI on the charitable dollars you spend? It's time to get serious about your sponsorship policies.
Profitability
Finding Some Silver in the Financial Clouds: Technology Tips
Bartering with vendors, mining the value of past work and more-these technology tips can sweeten your bottom line.
Managing
Are You Offering the Golden Egg or Golden Handcuffs? Alternatives to Partnership
It may be time to exercise some ingenuity in the options your firm offers.
Rainmaking
Getting Personal: How to Customize Your Business Development Strategy
Are your business development tactics too generic? Try these tips.
Taking the Lead
Dealing with the Dearly Departing
Letting lawyers go is one of the least pleasant tasks a managing partner faces. Here are guideposts for the task.
FRONTLINES
Trends
Healthy Practice Areas in an Ill Economy
When the economy is bad, certain practice areas reliably become- or remain-hot. Here are top ones.
Strategy
What Are Your Assumptions Going Forward?
Three steps for testing-and acting on-your assumptions.
Reading Minds
Guideposts for Changing Times
Nicole Black, Jeena Belil and Tom Mighell recommend books for thought in these radically changing times.
LPM Section News and Events
The inside scoop on upcoming Section activities and more.
Web Only Content
Law Practice Today
Watch for new features and podcasts in LPM's monthly webzine, Law Practice Today. Click here to subscribe for free. We've added product reviews, a column for Mac users, a space where practice management advisors answer questions and more!

