RESOURCES

Class 1

"Should American Law Schools Continue to Graduate Lawyers Whom Clients Consider Worthless?", 70 Maryland Law Review 499 (2011) (Symposium on The Profession and the Academy: How Are They Addressing Major Changes in Law Practice?)

"Developing Professional Judgment: Law School Innovations in Response to the Carnegie Foundation's Critique of American Legal Education," in The Ethics Project in Legal Education (Eds. Michael Robertson, Francesca Bartlett, Kieran Tranter & Lillian Corbin) (London: Routledge-Cavendish 2010) (co-authored with Charlotte Alexander)

Washington & Lee Experiential Third Year

Courtwatching Forms:
Calendar call: MS Word Adobe pdf
Hearing Report: MS Word Adobe pdf

> BAR ORGANIZATION WEBSITES:

> ONLINE LEGAL RESEARCH TOOLS:

> ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES (alphabetized by topic):

Billing

• Drafting a Bullet Proof Bill
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
  Citation: Law Practice Management Articles, Terri Olson
  Notes: How to phrase billable time. Tips on what not to bill.
• Drafting Bills Clients Love to Pay
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, November 2008, David J. Blinsky and Steven J. Best
  Notes: Tips on communicating with clients about billing. Provides tips on billing software.
• Getting What’s Coming to You: A Primer on Billing and Collecting Fees
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
  Citation: Law Practice Management, Terri Olson
  Notes: Guidelines for billing clients periodically rather than based on contingency. How to talk to clients about predicting fees.
• Taking Control of Billable Time
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
  Citation: Law Practice Management, Terri Olson
  Notes: Provides specific examples of the types of people who struggle to account for billable time.

Business plans and budgeting

• How Much Money Do You Need to Start a Law Firm?
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, May 2009, Erik Mazzone
  Notes: Gives tips on estimating the costs associated with starting a law practice.
• The Key to Success: Preparing a Business Plan and Budget
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, July 2009, Dan Pinnington
  Notes: Provides an overview of how to create a business plan and links to checklists for a business plan.
• Budgeting for the Small Law Firm
  Source: State Bar of Georgia Law Practice Management Program

Calendaring and case management

• Calendaring Basics for the Small Law Office
  Source: State Bar of Georgia Law Practice Management Program
• Organizing and Maintaining Files in a Small Law Office
  Source: State Bar of Georgia Law Practice Management Program

Case management software

• A Shoestring Approach to Legal Technology for the Suddenly Solo Lawyer
  Source: ABA, Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, July 2009, Dennis Kennedy
  Notes: Provides the software that a solo attorney needs at a bare minimum.
• Did You Buy the Wrong Case Management Software?
  Source: ABA, Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, January 2005, Andrew Adkins
  Notes: In-depth overview of the main functions of case management software.
• What is Case Management Software?
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
  Citation: Law Practice Management, Terri Olson
  Notes: Overview of types of software, tips on purchasing, and how to network the systems.

Client interaction

• Dealing With Difficult Clients
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, April 2005, Carole Curtis
  Notes: Covers five tips for handling difficult clients.
• Four Steps to Building Great Client Relationships
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, July 2004, Dustin Cole
  Notes: Provides structure for speaking with clients and discusses concerns the lawyer should have in taking on a client.
• How Better Communication Can Help Avoid a Malpractice Claim
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, February 2008, Dr. Paul M. Lisnek
  Notes: Provides advice on how to speak with clients to minimize the chance of a malpractice suit.
• How to Botch a Prospective Client Meeting
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, June 2008, Anne Parys
• In a Tough Economy, the Importance of Effective Client Screening
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, November 2008, Deborah Gillis
  Notes: Provides quick attributes that help screen potentially bad clients.
• Properly Communicating with Your Clients
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
  Citation: Law Practice Management, Natalie R. Thornwell
  Notes: Discusses all potential ways to communicate with a client including fax, face-to-face, voicemail, email, etc.
• Sample form : Personal Injury Client Interview Checklist
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
• Sample form: Prospective Client Interview Checklist
  Source: State Bar of Georgia

Dissolving a firm

• Breaking Up is Hard to Do
  Source: ABA Division for Legal Services
  Citation: ABA Journal, November 1995, Pamela Bresnahan
  Notes: Discusses four particular risks associated with dissolving a law firm.
• Can You Sell Your Law Practice?
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, February 2005, Edward Poll
  Notes: Six questions that arise when selling a law firm (including ethical ones).
• Disposition of Deceased Sole Practitioner’s Client Files and Property
  Source: ABA
  Citation: ABA Formal Opinion 92-369, December 7, 1992
  Notes: Even though it may be outdated in terms of authority, it still covers the necessary steps for protecting the client in case something happens to the attorney.
• Ready for the Handoff? Get a Succession Plan, or Say Goodbye to a Better Retirement
  Source: Missouri Lawyers Weekly
  Citation: Westlaw – 2009 WLNR 1248850
  Notes: Tips for putting together a succession plan from law firm consultant Dustin Cole.
• Retirement Plans Bar Group Seminar - Atlanta Bar Association
  Source: Atlanta Bar Association
  Citation: Retirement Seminar, July 16, 2007, John Markson
  Notes: PowerPoint slides which provide quick overview of different retirement plans (IRA, 401(k), etc.).
• Time to Move On: Now What? Closing a Law Firm
  Source: ABA
  Citation: YourABA, December 2007
  Notes: Quick read covering potential tasks that come with closing a law firm.

Employees

• Choosing an Office Manager for Your Firm
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
  Citation: Law Practice Management, Terri Olson
  Originally published in Georgia Bar Journal, August 1999, Vol. 5 No. 1, p. 58
  Notes: Tips on where to find an office manager and how to utilize an office manager to his or her full potential.
• How to Manage Your First Legal Assistant
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, September 2008, Jennifer Rice
  Notes: Covers managing, encouraging, and communicating with your first legal assistant.
• The Unavoidable Details of Employing Staff
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, July 2009, Gisela B. Bradley
  Notes: Covers the necessary steps in hiring someone (i.e. unemployment insurance, workers' compensation).

Malpractice insurance

• How Your Underwriter Views Your Law Firm Website
  Source: ABA, Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability
  Citation: Todd Cusano, Dollars & Good Sense: How Your Underwriter Views Your Law Firm Website, ABA Advisory Newsletter, Spring 2008, vol. 11, num. 1, page 3.
  Notes: Insight on what your website should include and not include.
• Insurance, Just In Case: Keep Yourself Covered
  Source: ABA, Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability
  Citation: Legal Times, November 17, 2003, Joel Chineson
  Notes: Provides questions a lawyer should ask to make sure she purchases the proper amount of coverage.
• Insurance Options for the Solo
  Source: ABA, General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division
  Citation: GPSOLO, Vol. 20, Num. 3, April/May 2003
  Notes: Offers a broad overview of the types of insurance that any lawyer, especially the solo and small firm practitioner, should consider purchasing for his or her own protection and planning.
• Understanding Your Malpractice Insurance
  Source: ABA, Standing Committee on Lawyer’s Professional Liability
  Notes: Explains how to read through a malpractice insurance contract.

Marketing

• 15 Ideas for Growing Your Practice
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, September 2009, Michael J. Anderson
• Legal Advertising Do’s and Don’ts for the Beginning Practitioner
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
  Citation: Law Practice Management Articles, Terri Olson
  Notes: Information on the potential pitfalls of advertising.
• Six Ways to Lose a Client and How You Can Avoid Them
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, January 2010, Kimberly Alford Rice
• Spending Your Marketing Dollars Wisely
  Source: ABA Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, March 2007, Bob Weiss
  Notes: Reviews the benefits of community group memberships and provides questions that every lawyer should ask before becoming a member of such a group.

Planning for and starting a solo practice or small firm

• Decisions: The Challenges of Starting a Firm
  Source: Chicago Lawyer vol. 32 issue 11
  Citation: Westlaw – 2009 WLNR 25323231
  Notes: Provides broad advice from practicing attorneys and some give their story.
• First Steps for Attorneys Striking Out on Their Own
  Source: Missouri Lawyers Weekly
  Citation: Westlaw – 2009 WLNR 26839594
  Notes: Provides advice from practicing attorneys and their stories.
• First Year Survival Guide for New Attorneys Going Solo
  Source: Michigan Lawyers Weekly
  Citation: Westlaw – 2009 WLNR 23897692
  Notes: Provides advice from practicing attorneys.
• Some Thoughts on Hanging Out a Shingle
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
  Citation: Law Practice Management Articles, Terri Olson
  Notes: Questions every lawyer should ask himself or herself before attempting a solo practice.
• Starting a Law Firm Flow Chart
  Source: myshingle.com
• Unlock Your Potential
  Source: ABA/Young Lawyers Division, 2004 ed.
  Notes: Covers everything by giving a few paragraphs to each topic. Provides exhibits and checklists.

Space and equipment

• Advice for Lawyers Seeking Office Space
  Source: Associatedcontent.com
  Citation: Jack Oceano, September 21, 2007
  Notes: Three quick tips before looking for office space.
• Buying Solo
  Source: ABA, General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division
  Citation: New Lawyer, Vol. 5, Num. 2, Sept. 2007, David Levesque
  Notes: A solo attorney tells his story of purchasing his first office space and the questions that he had to answer.
• Finding Office Space You Can Live With
  Source: State Bar of Georgia
  Citation: Law Practice Management, Terri Olson
  Notes: Lays out options for office space (lease, sublease, own) and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Technology, generally

• A Lawyer’s Social Networking Toolbox – Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn
  Source: ABA, Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, November 2009, Rodney Dowell & Erik Mazzone
  Notes: Explains and explores the cost-effective uses of social networking sites.
• Clearing Up Software Myths for Attorneys
  Source: ABA, Law Practice Management Section
  Citation: Law Practice Today, August 2008, Robert Ambrogi
  Notes: Addresses five myths lawyers typically encounter when dealing with software in discovery stages of litigation.