Lawyers and Other People’s Personal Information

The belief that “The odds of a computer or network breach isn’t an if, it’s only a when” is practically dogma now. Given this reality, every law practice, to include solo attorneys, should have a data security plan in place. Yes, I know the task can seem a bit daunting, particularly if you have no idea where to start; but failing to do this is no longer an acceptable choice. Putting our ethical duties and various state and federal regulations aside, every client expects to have whatever sensitive and personally identifying information they provide to you properly safeguarded. That’s the bottom-line. Here’s a guide put out by the FCC to help you fulfill your ethical duties.

6 Steps to Client Mastery Part I – Guest Lecture with Cynthia Sharp

And so begins our series of guest lectures with ABA/GP Solo Rockstars. First up is the inimitable Cynthia Sharp sharing her brilliant 6 steps to client mastery. And she is THE master in combining those intangible soft skills with the critical processes needed for guaranteeing a uniform and successful relationship with your clients. Attorney Sharp details how this relationship starts from before your clients become clients right through to those same clients becoming an endless source of referrals. You will learn that process is the key to success. Join us for Part 1 of this extraordinary guest lecture.

ABA/GP Solo & Solo Practice University Form New Partnership to Benefit Their Members and Ours

We are so very pleased to announce that Solo Practice University and the American Bar Association General Practice/Solo Division (ABA/GPSolo) have created a new strategic alliance to benefit their membership with a reduced tuition to Solo Practice University.

In addition, all Solo Practice University blog readers and podcast fans will get a benefit of their own! Every month we will present a new and free podcast from the ABA/GP Solo’s roster of experts, including…….

Juice Jacking, Say What???

As with any cyber threat, prevention starts with awareness of the risk and, as a road warrior, I see people taking an unnecessary risk far too often. This one involves smart phones.

Here’s the problem. The cable you use to charge your phone is the same one you use to transfer or sync your data. This reality creates an attack vector that someone could take advantage of during the charging process. Read on.

An Experiment in Transparency – Monthly Report: May 2018

We just finished month three of this relaunch journey (I shared a report for my first two months here and here). The ship keeps sailing along.

These monthly reports are the most popular thing I write, but I worry they’ll become mundane. “Another month of mostly the same thing…” And maybe there’s a lesson in there.

Success rarely comes with sex appeal and clickbait headlines. It’s a slog. And maybe that’s why so few of us find it.

However, to give you something you can act on right away, I’ll share with you monthly landmarks and some thoughts about websites. I’ll also detail numbers for you, and plans for the future.

This is me CEO-ing out loud, and I hope you find it helpful.

Why Lawyers Need to Be Aware of Personal Boundaries

Boundaries are important. In sports, they define the area of play. In real estate, they designate what one owns. And in personal relationships, they mark the emotional and physical limits everyone establishes in order to protect themselves from being manipulated, used, or violated by someone else. In short, personal boundaries mark the place where one individual ends and another begins. Why is this important in the context of practicing law? Because when two people enter an attorney-client relationship……

An Experiment in Transparency: Monthly Report: April 2018

Last month I shared my first monthly report. The response really surprised me.

That post has had three times as many views as anything I’ve ever written. Some people called it brave, others called it unwise, but it definitely generated interest. I believe it’s because we lawyers are so inclined to hide or posture or self-deceive. Transparency inspires us because we are so disinclined to be transparent.

I don’t intend to shake up the industry or anything, nor do I believe this little blog has that capacity. But one day, years from now, a new attorney will land on these monthly reports. She will see that an idiot like me can stumble through and succeed, and she’ll see a path forward. That’s why I’m doing this.

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The Power of Influencers to Bring Business to Your Solo/Small Firm Practice

Influencers offer the authenticity that buyers trust. Their relationship with their audience is not centered around selling merchandise, but rather, around informative and relevant content that interests their followers. When an influencer tells your brand’s story, it comes from the perspective of a consumer, rather than that of a business or marketing strategy. How does an influencer impact your solo/small firm practice? How can you reach them? Find out.

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