This morning, I learned that Technolawyer.com through biglaw bully firm, Fish & Richardson, is demanding that the Lawyerist blog take down a recent post using the term small law, charging that this usage creates confusion with Technolawyer’s trademarked term SmallLaw. Though as a courtesy, I’ve attempted to make contact with Neil Squillante of
I Am Not An Entrepreneur…My Answer to the Most Important Question for Solo Lawyers
Over at his new gig at Above the Law, my blogging colleague and law firm founder/owner Jay Shepherd poses the penultimate question to prospective shinglers: Do you want to run a business, or do you want to practice law? For Jay, there’s only one right answer: if you want to start a law firm,
Tribute to Joe Flom: Skadden’s Solo Role Model
As solos, mega-firm Skadden is perhaps one of the last places we’d ever think to look for a role model. But being solo doesn’t just mean working for oneself. Solo is a state of mind; a combination of vision, hustle and sheer doggedness that together, convert adversity into a best friend.
That’s the story of
FREE MyShingle Webinar: What You Don’t Know About Solo Practice Can Hurt You
It’s been ages since I’ve offered a free webinar, so this one is long overdue. No real reason (in other words, nothing to sell!) but I wanted to give back to my readers and test out a new webinar platform to replace DimDim. The webinar, which is based on the twice-yearly talks that I give
Starting A Law Firm: Creating the Marketing Portfolio
Diversify, diversify, diversify. That’s the advice you’ll commonly hear if you’re investing in the market. Well, that advice applies with equal force when you’re starting a law firm and investing in yourself. Just as you need a portfolio for stock investment, so too, you’ll want a portfolio of activities by which to market your practice.
Events: Starting A Firm Talk in DC, FREE Webinar on SEO & Content Creation and Funniest Lawyer Contest
Here’s a quick round-up of some upcoming, FREE events of potential news to readers:
1. On FEBRUARY 15, 2011, I’m returning to the American University, Washington College of Law School, to reprise my talk on the Nuts & Bolts of Starting a Law Firm – which covers the reasons to consider starting a firm out
Just Say No To Free Use of Your User-Generated Content
Conventional, 21st century wisdom says that content wants to be free. That content isn’t worth paying for. That “exposure” in exchange for content is sufficient reward.
Funny thing is that those who try to sell you this line don’t have content. And not only do they want yours free, but they want to profit off
Women Lawyers Too Busy Reading People Magazine To Blog, Suggests Crime & Federalism Blogger
Objectively speaking, there are fewer women than men who blog or contribute to wikipedia or are partners at AmLaw 100 law firms, for whatever that dubious honor is worth besides a huge paycheck. Sure, I’d like to see more women enjoy the same benefits that I have from blogging, but I surely don’t blame men
DLAPiper’s $200k Cover Charge Part II: Ethics Issues
This morning, I posted about DLAPiper’s $200k minimum annual billing cover charge for clients. But after a couple of conversations, I’ve gotten to wondering how DLAPiper can enforce this minimum charge without running afoul of ethics requirements.
For example, what happens if DLAPiper estimates that defending Company X in a major lawsuit will cost $250,000,
Solos Can Provide Cover to DLA Piper Clients Who Can’t Pay Its $200k Cover
So, last week’s big blogosphere news was that the DLAPiper, the world’s largest law firm has announced a mandatory minimum $200,000 annual cover charge for clients. New clients unwilling to commit to spending $200,000 annually on fees won’t be served, while existing clients who don’t meet the minimum billings requirement may be asked to