Tag Archives: ABA Journal

Pulling Back The Curtain On BigLaw – And Many Smaller Firms Too

Posted on February 7, 2015 by The Legal Reformer

We’ve all seen or heard about the high-end law firms, the ones with the well-appointed offices and the high billable hour fees.  Large or small, some of these firms are harboring a secret – one that can affect how they treat … Continue reading →

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Have Or Need A Will? Here’s A Great Resource

Posted on January 31, 2015 by The Legal Reformer

We were looking through the ABA Journal’s 8th Annual Blawg 100, in which 100 legal blogs are highlighted, and a blog called Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog caught our eye. Gerry W. Beyer, the Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of … Continue reading →

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Attorney Tip #11 – Lessons From An Attorney Who Coaches Beauty Queens

Posted on January 24, 2015 by The Legal Reformer

The ABA Journal recently ran a story about an Alabama attorney who moonlights coaching beauty queens and others needing interview preparation.  In an December 1, 2014 article titled, Want to be the next Miss America? Then you might want to hire … Continue reading →

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Legal Consumer Tip #8 – McElhaney on Litigation

Posted on October 10, 2014 by The Legal Reformer

We’ve blogged before about certain of Jim McElhaney’s articles for the ABA Journal and about self-help resources for legal consumers.  After reading many of the almost 100 articles Mr. McElhaney wrote, we believe that his “advice”  for lawyers also qualifies … Continue reading →

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Attorney Tip #10 . . . Legal Consumer Tip # 7 – Better Brief Writing

Posted on October 4, 2014 by The Legal Reformer

Last week we posted a tip for attorneys about brief writing.  This week, we stumbled upon an article by Bryan Garner providing tips for “better” brief writing.  On October 1, 2014, Mr. Garner wrote an article for lawyers in the ABA Journal titled, … Continue reading →

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Attorney Tip #9 – Brief Writing

Posted on September 27, 2014 by The Legal Reformer

In an ABA Journal article titled “Dirty Dozen: 12 Ways to Write a Really Bad Brief,” Jim McElhaney writes about the “ordinary sins [of bad brief writing] that even good lawyers commit everyday.”  According to Mr. McElhaney, they include: Make it … Continue reading →

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More On Judicial Transparency

Posted on July 26, 2014 by The Legal Reformer

We’ve written a number of times about the benefits of judicial transparency.  In an interview published in the July 2014 issue of the ABA Journal, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit Judge Richard A. Posner weighs in.  Judge … Continue reading →

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Attorney Tip #6 – Be Upfront

Posted on July 18, 2014 by The Legal Reformer

When a client brings you a matter that will likely result in fees higher than the matter’s value, do you advise him/her of that fact?  If you hesitated to respond “yes,” even in the slightest, this tip is for you: … Continue reading →

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Can Visual Law Services Lower Fees?

Posted on May 16, 2014 by The Legal Reformer

Legal research can be a time-consuming and thus expensive part of a legal matter. When one brings a legal matter to an attorney, often the attorney will need to research the relevant law, which can be evolving or changing, and can influence … Continue reading →

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Attorney Tip #5 – Talk Like A Lawyer

Posted on January 30, 2014 by The Legal Reformer

No, we don’t mean speak to your clients using “legalese.”  We mean the exact opposite. On January 1, 2012, the ABA Journal re-published “More Than Just Words: This Is What It Really Means to Talk Like a Lawyer” by Jim … Continue reading →

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