Recent tech mistakes in law firms—and learning from them
While modern technology has certainly made life easier for legal professionals, it has also created a whole host of problems. Emails, instant messaging, social media, and web-based time-trackers are undeniably convenient. Each, however, carries a risk for costly tech mistakes in law firms. These risks undoubtedly exist in any office environment, but law offices are […]
8 ways to spice up routine tasks in your law firm
Working in a law firm has its moments of excitement, but the day to day responsibilities can often be less than dynamic. As the support and foundation of a successful law firm or legal department, your workday likely includes repetitious or non-creative tasks. And while these responsibilities are critical to the smooth operation of a […]
Strategies for handling the busy seasons in your law firm
There is no doubt that law firms are busy places. If you ask a legal professional when the busiest time of year is, however, the answer would likely be “it depends.” Litigation teams are swamped in the months leading up to trial. Corporate and real estate attorneys tend to find themselves underwater as major deals […]
How to start preparing for your next legal job
Planning a career move in 2018? Thinking about changing law firms? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell…) A job change is a natural progression in your professional life. But just thinking about changing jobs won’t make it happen. The transition from one field or firm to another takes focus, commitment, self-examination, and a set of goals […]
The evolution of legal support: past, present, and future
From creating elaborate presentations to navigating ever more complex legal technology, the responsibilities of paralegals and legal support staff have grown significantly since the days when lawyers worked alone with paper and pen. More than one quarter-million paralegals and legal support staff are currently working throughout the nation, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects […]
6 ways for legal professionals to defuse tense situations
Due to the nature of the work, the legal industry carries a high potential for anxiety and tension. When working with upset clients, it can be a challenge to represent your firm with the utmost calm, composure, and professionalism. Promote clear communication and avoid costly mistakes with these six different ways to defuse tense situations […]
How to outsmart context switching (and get more done)
You’re working on a case for a client when you remember that you were supposed to finish editing a different brief by lunchtime. You go to work on that just before realizing that a colleague has been waiting on an email from you–since yesterday. By the end of the email, you’ve thought of several calls […]
12 end-of-year and holiday traditions for your law firm
Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings to you! We are deep in the excitement of the holidays now, with all the music, friend and family gatherings, and gratitude and yuletide cheer. Need some ideas for inspiring the office? Here are 12 holiday traditions for your law firm to start or continue this year. [textblock style=”1″]Stay happy […]
Maximizing your lunch hour: tips for busy legal professionals
Is the cycle of waking, working, sleeping starting to get to you? Do you struggle to keep up with all of your interests and errands each week while also giving yourself room to breathe? Don’t despair. You have an important tool that can be used to leverage your time and enable you to do more […]
Top tips for getting along with colleagues in your law firm
Getting along with colleagues can sometimes be easier said than done. While everyone’s job is focused on the practice of law, personal differences sometimes outnumber similarities, and disparities in temperament, work ethic, efficiency, and general work habits can cause friction among colleagues and undermine the success of the law firm. Although you can’t – and […]
6 legal support skills to be proud of wherever you go
As a paralegal or legal secretary, you have highly specialized experience in submitting court filings, managing case files, planning presentations for trial, and other tasks that usually happen only in a law firm or legal department. But working in legal support gives you skills beyond the day to day technical duties. In fact, the work […]
Expert solutions to common email challenges: Part 1
One Legal is made up of a team of passionate, knowledgeable individuals who put their specific areas of expertise to good use for our customers. Meet the brilliant people behind the scenes to explore why and how we do what we do. Around the office and with clients, communication is key. And email is the […]
7 things legal professionals should stop doing
It’s not just legal professionals, every industry and every office has certain less than stellar work habits. Add them all up and some harmless seeming habits can actually have a fairly large negative impact on your wellbeing, both personally and professionally. Here are some things legal professionals—and everyone else, too–should avoid doing, for their own […]
Do more with less: strategies for busy legal professionals
Today’s law firms are more focused on efficiency – doing more with less – than ever before. Due to greater pressure on the bottom line, new regulations, and unpredictable workloads, firms are increasingly looking to keep costs under control while continuing to provide value to their clients. In this challenging environment, paralegals and other legal […]
Corporate social responsibility in the legal industry: Trends and opportunities
What comes to mind when you think of corporate social responsibility? In the legal field, this type of initiative often goes by a host of other names. But at the heart of pro bono and other legal aid efforts lies an opportunity to make a difference that transcends industry. What is corporate social responsibility? Corporate […]
Creative hydration and other ways to keep cool during a heat wave
Across the months of July and August, temperatures average well into the 90s in Texas. In California’s cities, the temperatures fluctuate between the mid-80s and mid-90s. And in Indiana and other states across the U.S., the heat can hover around the 80s. It’s nothing we don’t already know: summer is hot. How do you keep cool […]