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So, you want to be a judge?

By: Reni Gertner
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, Judges

You’ve litigated many cases, always wondering what it might be like in the judge’s chair. And now you think you want to bring your own legal experience to the bench.

But do you have – or even know – what it takes?

When they come marching home: Lawyers reaching out to help returning vets 

By: Justin Rebello
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, military, pro bono

Nicholas Henry, fresh out of John Marshall Law School in Chicago, knows firsthand the hassle involved in filing for veterans benefits.

A Marine veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq, Henry spent 37 hours one week trying to change his educational benefits.

“If I’m a law student having
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Brother, can you spare me a court? Federal preemption biggest issue facing Supreme Court 

By: Justin Rebello
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, preemption, U.S. Supreme Court

Federal preemption is the biggest issue on the U.S. Supreme Court’s docket for the 2009 term.

Two closely watched cases – Altria Group v. Good and Wyeth v. Levine – will determine the right of plaintiffs to sue pharmaceutical and tobacco companies in state court over claims the products are
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Not your father’s pro bono

By: Justin Rebello
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, pro bono, Your Practice

Not that long ago, pro bono work was usually a solitary endeavor where one lawyer represented a poor client on a single legal matter.

But the model is changing.

Increasingly, law firms – especially larger ones – are establishing firm-wide pro bono projects and commitments.

According to Esther Larden, president
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More non-lawyer directors managing law firms

By: Nora Tooher
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, Business and Civil Practice, practice management, Your Practice

Facing an increasingly competitive market, a growing number of small and mid-sized law firms are handing over their management reins to professionals with backgrounds in finance and experience in administration.

What are the hot practice areas (and what’s not)? 

By: Justin Rebello
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, Your Practice

Are you thinking about changing your practice niche or expanding your areas of expertise? Do you want to grow your firm’s business, but aren’t sure what types of work will usher more clients into your office?

Here’s a look at five practice areas legal consultants and recruiting experts predict will
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The law profession ‘going green’

By: Dick Dahl
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, going green, Your Practice

In the burgeoning green culture, law firms’ eco-responsible practices stretch from the courtroom to the kitchen.

The escalating energy costs and climate change concerns that have spurred the society-wide green movement in the U.S. have also prompted clients to expect a commitment to green practices from their lawyers.

Pay scale: Who makes what where? 

By: Justin Rebello
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, salary, Your Practice

San Francisco and Dallas top the list of metropolitan areas that have the highest median salaries for attorneys in 2008.

According to Payscale.com, the salary research site, San Francisco offers a median salary of $105,800 for associates with at least three years of experience, nearly $10,000 more than the second-highest
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The next generation: Why lawyers should care about Millenials

By: Justin Rebello
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, gen-y, Your Practice

Running about 70 million strong, Generation Y, aka the Millenials, is settling in as the next generation of the American workforce with its own set of beliefs and concerns.

Managing the e-mail beast

By: Justin Rebello
Published: January 19, 2009

Tags: 20 things, email, technology, Your Practice

It’s not uncommon for attorneys to receive 150-200 new e-mails a day. That’s a lot of e-mail, about 25,000 per year. Lawyers USA spoke with several experts about their suggestions for how to best manage the unceasing flow of e-mail.