Table of Contents
Introduction
Section I: Starting Out Right at a Law Firm
1. Get the details of your employment agreement in writing
2. Appearances matter
3. Have extra essentials at the office
4. Work when you are at work
5. A to-do list is your constant companion
6. The importance of having a good assistant
7. When you're an associate, draft means final
8. You don't know everything
Section II: Understanding Law Firm Politics
9. When your law office is more like the set of Survivor
10. Avoid having a romantic relationship with someone in your office
11. Foster a close relationship with someone in your office who has your back
12. It helps to be a golfer
13. What to do if a colleague is struggling
Section III: General Tips for Having a Successful Practice
14. Avoiding legal pet peeves
15. Don't tolerate bad behavior
16. Learn to be a better listener and a better communicator
17. Don't give advice to strangers over the phone
18. Resist the pressure to take a case you're not qualified to take
19. Find experienced lawyers you can talk to
20. Don't procrastinate
21. What to do when opposing counsel is a jerk
22. You can always be a jerk later
23. Think twice before accusing someone of an ethical violation
Section IV: The Business of Practicing Law
24. Be as involved as possible in your law firm's finances
25. The importance of a good filing system
26. Earning a living as a lawyer is a tough buck
27. How to build your practice
28. Treat your client like a customer
29. Get the money up front
30. How to close a case
31. Never let your malpractice insurance lapse
32. Keep up with your billable hours
33. Legal research isn't free anymore
34. Disaster planning
Section V: Becoming Comfortable with Technology
35. Stay on top of technology but don't be a slave to it
36. Know how to operate the office machines
37. Cell phone etiquette
38. Be careful with emails
39. The impact of the Internet
Section VI: Working with Clients
40. The importance of the attorney-client privilege
41. Do not judge
42. Don't give anyone a blank check on credibility
43. Keep a box of tissue on your desk
44. Not every attorney is for every client
45. Beware of the client who has fired his or her first attorney
46. When gender matters
47. Should you represent family and friends?
48. Make sure you and your client have the same expectations
49. Don't give guarantees
50. Tell your clients they need to follow your advice
51. Be specific
52. When a client or someone else is in jail
53. How to tell whether someone is having an affair and why you should care
54. How to get your client to tell you the truth
55. You may be the only sane person in your client's life
56. Anyone can become crazy
57. How to be involved but not overly involved
58. Make sure your client has the support of friends and family
59. Is the extended family part of the problem or part of the solution?
60. Does your client have a safety plan?
Section VII: Building a Case and Preparing for Trial
61. Make sure you are suing and serving the right party
62. Look at the jury instructions to prepare your case
63. Don't wait for someone to give you information
64. Prepare for depositions
65. Give mediation a try
66. How you know when you have a good settlement
67. Hope for the best but prepare for and expect the worst
68. Your pretrial settlement discussion with your client
Section ViiI: Success in the Courtroom