The Lawmatics Blog

Many lawyers spend their workdays performing non-billable administrative, financial, or marketing tasks instead of serving clients. So how can busy lawyers keep their offices running, serve their current clients and keep new ones coming in – without sacrificing quality and work-life balance? One way is through law firm automation.

What does automation mean in law?

Automation involves the creation of computer software and automated systems that can complete repeatable processes and reduce the need for human intervention. Legal automation (or Law Firm Automation) automates the routine manual tasks and workflows that lawyers and legal teams perform. According to data compiled by McKinsey, roughly 23 percent of an attorney’s work can be automated using existing technology.

What legal processes can be automated?

Although automation is possible in many legal areas, some tasks are more suited to automation than others, like those with clearly defined rules and processes, relatively simple manual tasks, and frequent workflows. Here are some of the processes that can be completed via law firm automation:

• Appointment scheduling. Automated scheduling software takes the back and forth out of setting up appointments by enabling clients to schedule their own meetings.
• Document creation. Automation allows you to merge the data you need from your custom fields and auto-fill directly into boilerplate legal forms to generate documents.
• Document execution. Secure, universally-recognized electronic signature for law firms provides added convenience and efficiency for lawyers and clients.
• Legal workflows. Automation allows legal teams and law firms to automate numerous manual processes, including client intake, to streamline routine workflows.
• Time and expense tracking. Legal time tracking software provides an accurate and efficient way to track your time, whether you bill hourly, fixed fee, or contingency.
• Billing management. Law firm billing software will automate every stage of the billing process, including invoice creation, billing, collection, and provide payment status.
• Online payments. Want to make it easier for your clients to securely pay their invoices online? Payment processing software does the job, allowing you to get paid faster.
• Lead management. With the help of automated pipeline management, law firms can manage, prioritize, and nurture prospective clients every step of the way.
• Marketing campaigns. Why reinvent the wheel when you can build repeatable processes with email marketing drip campaigns that initiate an automatic response?

Automation is transforming the law profession. However, firms must partner with the right provider to access the necessary tools.

What are the different types of legal technology?

Lawyers utilize various technologies to do their jobs. Here are some common types of legal technology used by lawyers:

• Online file storage. Platforms that protect files from internal and external threats with end-to-end, zero-knowledge encryption.
• Document management. Document automation tools streamline document creation by utilizing information previously collected to populate standard letters and forms.
• eDiscovery tools. Most discovery is now electronic and relies on technology to streamline the eDiscovery process.
• Practice management. Practice management software enables attorneys to manage court dates, automate workflows, calendar events, and more.
• Cloud-based office suites. Cloud-based platforms allow attorneys to access, share, and edit documents, files, and other data from anywhere in the world.
• Legal CRM. Legal client relationship management (CRM) software provides an overview of matters, documents, communications, transactions, and billings – through one secure client portal.

Technology simplifies attorneys’ jobs by increasing the access and value of legal services while helping lower the associated costs.

Will lawyers be automated?

Some speculate that lawyers will be replaced by tech. However, artificial intelligence (AI) cannot automate every aspect of every job, particularly the responsibilities of a lawyer. After all, the human brain can associate concepts and identify solutions to complicated problems that will meet client needs and mitigate risk while a robot, no matter how intelligent, is incapable of processing and relating concepts independently.While AI can pinpoint irregularities and provide feedback, it’s not yet capable of conceptually determining a solution to complex legal issues without human assistance. Instead, technology can automate laborious, time-consuming administrative tasks and allow attorneys to reallocate their time to focus on serving clients and bring more critical thinking and analysis to their cases.

Lawmatics: technology as a tool to make lawyers better

Legal technology is not a replacement for people. Rather, it is a tool to make humans better lawyers. Lawmatics legal software works behind the scenes to bring you more business and keep your clients happy, so you can focus your attention on what you do best. Our system offers:

• Legal client intake
• Law practice CRM
• Document management
• Time and expense tracking
• Legal billing
• Online payments
• Marketing automation

And much more into one convenient, easy-to-use platform. No wonder Lawmatics is widely considered the best legal document automation software for growing law firms! Are you ready to try legal technology that saves time on legal operations, such as document and task management, by automating processes that typically take hours or even days? Sign up for a Lawmatics product demo today.

Register for upcoming Monthly Deep Dives

1. Select the event type and give your webinar a name and a description. Remember that the event type is more broad, such as Webinar, whereas the event name is specific to this event, such as Summer 2023 Webinar.

1. Continue making selections for the host and the date and time.

1. You will also need to enter a location for the event, either an external link or a physical address. If this is a virtual event, simply put the external link in the box provided, and this will automatically be added to the description of the calendar invite that is sent to registrants for this event.

1. Your virtual event may be held via Zoom, Teams, or some other platform, simply copy and paste the meeting link.

1. For in person events, enter in the physical address. This will also be added to the event invite when applicable.

.Engaging events such as webinars, seminars, luncheons, are a great way for attorneys to fortify relationships with new and existing clients. If event management has been a technical roadblock for you up to this point, we’ve got great news: Lawmatics now allows you to effortlessly manage all such events without the hassle of integrating with other tools or relying on Zaps.With our Event Management feature, Lawmatics users can configure various event types (webinars, networking events, etc.), easily create and promote an event, and collect registrants. We’ve also added the following:

• A setting for built-in confirmation and reminder emails.
• A new entry condition for Automations to trigger a custom workflow upon an event registration.

Whether you are already a master event organizer or just looking to start implementing events into your firm, Lawmatics is your one stop shop for event management.

Event settings

Before diving into the world of event management with Lawmatics, let's get those essential event settings sorted out. Simply locate the gear icon in the top right corner of your Lawmatics window, and then navigate to Appointments/Events on the left sidebar.Now, let's take a quick moment to distinguish between appointments and events. In Lawmatics, appointments are reserved for a single matter or contact, like consultations, strategy sessions, or lunch meetings. On the flip side, events can accommodate anywhere from one to thousands of enthusiastic registrants and aren't tailored to individual attendees. Let the distinction sink in and get ready to unleash the power of Lawmatics for your event management needs!When you first arrive on the Appointments/Events page in settings, you will first see your settings for appointments, scroll down on the page until you land on the Events section.

Event types

To ensure seamless automation and precise triggers, you’ll need to first establish distinct event types for your diverse range of gatherings. These event types hold the key to orchestrating specific actions based on registrations. For instance, you might want to kickstart an automated drip campaign when someone signs up for a webinar, while reserving a different response for those joining a networking event. By setting up event types, you unlock the power to customize and optimize your automation game plan. Let Lawmatics do the heavy lifting while you effortlessly navigate the realm of tailored event experiences.

You also have the freedom to craft unique confirmation and reminder sequences for each event type according to your preferences, and we'll delve into that soon. Feel free to create as many event types as you desire, knowing that you can always return to add, modify, or delete existing ones. When crafting your event types, you even have the option to set a default duration, if that suits your needs.

Confirmation

Lawmatics offers built-in confirmation and reminder settings for your events, no need to build a custom email template and automation for each event. This confirmation will be sent to the registrant as soon as they have signed up for the event.Simply click the setting option for Add Confirmation, and you can then build out your own email template and/or text message as shown below.

You’ll see that you can merge in fields as needed, including event fields to input the unique event date, description, link, etc for each respective event.It is then important to select which of your event types this confirmation email applies for. Depending on the nature of your events, you may use a generic confirmation for all of your event types or perhaps you’d like to create something more specific for each.

Reminders

As with event confirmations, reminders are built into Lawmatics although they are optional. However, we highly recommend utilizing them to ensure your event registrants stay on top of upcoming gatherings.

Feel free to create as many reminders as you desire, and once again, you have the power to apply them to any or all of your event types. It's all about keeping your attendees engaged, informed, and excited about the events they've signed up for.

Creating an Event

Now that you have finished setting up this groundwork, you are ready to create an event:

1. Hover your mouse on CRM and select Event Management to navigate to the Events page. Here you will see all past and upcoming events with the option to add a new event. When adding an event, you will see various options as shown below:

Event registration

And now for the fun part: collecting registrants for your event! There are several ways you can go about doing this, we’ll break them down here.

Custom Form

In addition to using Custom Forms for collecting leads or contacts, utilizing a form is an excellent method for gathering event registrants. With the introduction of the Event Management feature, we've incorporated an event registration field that seamlessly integrates into your custom forms. You have the freedom to incorporate this field into your existing forms or even create a brand new registration form from scratch.

1. When editing your Form, add any fields to the form as you normally would.
2. Click the Advanced section on the left sidebar.
3. Drag and drop the Event Registration field wherever you would like it on the form.

1. Once you have this field in the form, click on it to make additional selections. In the options for this field, as shown below, you will select what label you want for the registration option, and then select which of your events can be registered for from this form.

1. You may choose to have just one event per form, and market that form specifically as a sign-up for that particular event. Alternatively, you can opt to include multiple events on a form so that potential registrants can register for any or all of them.

In the sample shown above, a registrant would simply enter their name and email, then click on both or either event to register respectively.Just like any other custom form, this form can be embedded on your site, shared via hyperlink, or even sent via automation.

Manual registration

Your other option for registering event attendees is to do so manually. This method is certainly not as efficient or automatic, so we definitely recommend using this as a contingency method to the Custom Form.To manually register an attendee, go to the Event Management page and click the plus sign icon. You can then search from existing contacts in your CRM or add a new one to be registered for the event.

Regardless of the method you opt for to register individuals for your event, they will be seamlessly added to the registrant list. Once added, they will receive the confirmation and reminders you have set up in your settings. To conveniently view all event registrants, head over to the Event Management page and click on the specific event you're interested in. There, you'll find a comprehensive list displaying each attendee's name, email address, as well as the date and time of their registration. It's a hassle-free way to stay informed and organized throughout your event planning journey.

Events & Automation

As with all Lawmatics features, Event Management can also be included in your Automations. With the introduction of this new feature we have added a new Automation Trigger: Registered for Event.

1. Simply select the “Registered for Event” trigger, and then select an event type to trigger the automation. This goes all the way back to the first section regarding your Event Settings, it is very important to set up your event types so that you can trigger Automations appropriately for different events.
2. Once you have selected an Event Type, you then have the option to let this Automation run for all individual events within that type, or you can select a specific event so that the automation only runs for that event.
3. Now add in your various action items and build out your automated workflow. Whether you’re creating a drip campaign, internal tasks, data updates like tagging, or whatever else you wish to automate, simply select the action items to add them into the automation.

Remember that your event confirmation and reminders are built-in on the Settings page, so no need to create an Automation for those.Creating an Automation for event registrants is a great way to automate long term follow up with a goal of increasing conversion, or just to stay in touch and top of mind with that audience.

Conclusion

We’ve got all the tools you need to manage your major events such as webinars, luncheons, and networking events, all under the roof of Lawmatics.Set up custom event types and confirmation emails in Settings, then easily create an event, start promoting it, and collect registrants. Plus don’t forget that you’ll also find a new entry condition in Automations to trigger a custom workflow when someone registers for your event.Events are a great way to create new lead channels and bring in more business for your firm without having to spend big money on marketing campaigns. Whether you are a seasoned expert at event management or planning out your first event, Lawmatics is just the tool for incorporating events seamlessly into your firm’s marketing efforts.**Event Management is available to users on the Pro Tier and above**

What is your role at Lawmatics, and what does your job entail?

I'm a Software QA Engineer, and I test new features developed by our engineering team to ensure quality standards are met and goals are aligned with our product team. I write test plans and report failed scenarios to the developers so they can quickly reproduce issues. Recently, I've been working more with writing code and test automation to prevent code regressions.

How did you end up working for Lawmatics?

A fellow engineer first joined the engineering team who then recommended me. We were both junior full stack engineers at our previous company, working on different projects. I worked on a small mobile app, and was involved in every part of the development process, from planning to deployment. I found testing and debugging to be pretty tedious, yet the most rewarding parts of the whole process. So in my initial interview with Lawmatics, I asked about testing, and we went from there.

What’s the best part of your job?

I really enjoy supporting my team with identifying bugs in the code and reproducing them. When something strays from the happy path of usability (i.e. an edge case), it's satisfying to squash that bug during the development phase. 100% bug free code can be hard to achieve, so coming to terms with what's acceptable or not and working with our product team is another part of the equation that keeps my job engaging.

Where are you from, and how did you end up in San Diego?

I was born and raised in San Diego while my parents are both from the Philippines. I lived in Tucson, AZ for about 5 years though and it was the hardest decision to leave a small town, surprisingly.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

My 4-year-old daughter brings me so much joy in life. We play with Legos and she does most of the building. Sometimes we'll play hide and seek. We take turns and hide in the exact same spot every time. Laughing about it never gets old.

What is a fun fact most people may not know about you?

I have 5 older brothers! Playing video games, helping with house renovations, and in general, just growing up with a bunch of boys made being a woman engineer easier. Wish it was easier on my mom though, it was like she had a 6th son in a way.

Tell us about an unforgettable experience that you’ve had?

When I was 12, my mom and I visited my older brother in Japan. He taught English to junior high school students out in the countryside. It was an amazing experience to see cherry blossoms in the spring. But the memory that sticks with me the most is our tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. It evoked so many emotions to see scenes and displays of the magnitude and devastation of the event.

What is the one thing you can’t live without and why?

Yoga. It's my water in life and it brings me balance.

Do you have a favorite saying, quote, or personal mantra and if so, what is it and why?

You are exactly where you are meant to be. This phrase reminds me to stay present, focus on the progress I've made, and embrace where I am today. Showing compassion for myself is important and helps me to have more compassion for others.

What is your favorite thing about working for Lawmatics?

That's so hard to pick! There's the people! The work! And of course, the kitchen snacks! Avocados, peanut butter, trail mix... yet at the end of the day, I really enjoy being challenged, growing, and working with everyone here... and talking about who ate the last apple.

What’s your go-to hype song?

I love a good pop song. My go to is Lights Follow - Live Your Beautiful Life.

Based on your experience, what words of wisdom or advice do you have for legal professionals looking to help their law firms win more business, impress clients, and be more efficient?

Our Automations are so powerful and they can help automate a workflow by triggering off a Custom Form that was filled, then moving on to send an email or a document to the user or contact. So many or’s and and’s here. I highly recommend double or triple checking entry conditions, the logic used, and getting in touch with us if there's ever any doubt when building out your Automations.

Summer just got a whole lot hotter with our sizzling new feature lineup. So set down your BBQ tongs and beach ball and check out our latest batch of Lawmatics feature releases.

Google AdWords Integration

We're excited to announce the addition of Google AdWords to our integration lineup. Now, syncing your AdWords account with Lawmatics is a breeze. Simply head to the Integrations page in your Lawmatics Admin settings, and Lawmatics will automatically import your marketing spend and campaign data from AdWords, logging these respectively in your Lawmatics marketing sources and campaigns. This integration allows you to make the most of our built-in source reporting and ROI tracking like never before by bringing your AdWords data into the CRM automatically.Learn more about using this exciting new feature here.

LM[AI]

Earlier this month, we made a groundbreaking announcement: the launch of LM[AI], our very own artificial intelligence text generative tool. With LM[AI], drafting client emails has never been easier — you can do it in seconds. Simply click on the AI button, provide a prompt, and watch as LM[AI] composes a complete email, complete with merge fields. You have full control over the generated text, as you can manually edit it to your liking. Additionally, you can instruct LM[AI] to make edits itself, whether it's adjusting the tone to be friendlier or more formal, or rephrasing the content. From nurturing leads to check-ins and promotions, LM[AI] will ensure your email campaigns are engaging and captivating.Click here to learn more about LM[AI].

Bulk Select & Update Companies

As with our Matters and Contacts pages, we've now added the bulk editing capability to the Companies page. Simply check the box next to the companies you want to include, click the Update Companies button in the top menu, choose the field you want to update, enter the new value, and save. Say goodbye to tedious individual editing, as you can now make updates in bulk with just a few clicks.

Learn more about managing company matters in Lawmatics here.

‘Assigned By’ Field on Tasks

Lawmatics has always been your trusted platform for managing tasks, whether they're assigned to clients or internal staff. To enhance collaboration and clarity, we've introduced a new feature: the "Assigned By" field. Now, when your staff members receive a new Task, they'll immediately know who assigned it. This makes it easier for them to seek clarification or additional information, ensuring smooth task execution. Alongside this addition, we've made several other improvements to our task functionality, such as comments and mentions. Don't forget to explore these enhancements as well!Learn all about Tasks here.

Create From Within Updates

Check out the latest additions to our revolutionary user experience improvements, with even more still to come!

Create a new appointment type from any internal booking module

Create a new marketing audience from within an email campaign

As always, thanks for checking out this latest update from Lawmatics! Stay tuned for even more exciting features to come!

Law firms have been forced to adapt to the remote work environment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. One area that has been impacted is training programs for law firm staff. Remote, in-person, and hybrid work arrangements require different approaches to training. Ensuring all staff members are given equal opportunities to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles is crucial when creating equitable training programs.This blog post will provide practical tips and strategies for creating equitable training programs for remote, in-person, and hybrid law firm staff. It highlights the importance of understanding the unique needs of each work arrangement, identifying the most effective training methods, and ensuring accessibility for all staff members. By following these tips and strategies, law firms can create training programs that equally prepare all staff for their respective roles and foster a culture of continuous learning and development.

Training programs for in-person staff

Most employees do not want to return to the law office of 2019. Instead, they want the freedom they had when COVID-19 sent everyone home, including the ability to work from anywhere and set their own work schedule and work hours. They remember the positives of remote work: time flexibility, better integration of work into their personal life, and an opportunity to focus on what truly matters. However, they tend to forget the negatives: burnout, loneliness, and the inability to set work boundaries.To fully address these concerns, law firm leaders and managers must create training and development opportunities for everyone in the firm. Online training programs can and should supplement in-person opportunities to reflect the dramatic cultural change. When programs connect with individual employees, they tend to feel more invested, making them look more positively upon their work and their firm.Here are some training strategies to help in-person employees navigate today’s modern work environment:

• Audit your onboarding process. A smooth and successful onboarding process helps new employees feel welcome, valued, and equipped to perform their best work. You should include the “5 C’s” in your onboarding process: compliance, clarification, confidence, connection, and culture.
• Promote mentorship. To foster an even more collaborative and employee-oriented culture, you can implement a mentorship system in your firm by pairing each new hire with a peer-level mentor who will support them as they learn their role. Having a mentor to show new staff the ropes helps them feel more focused and excited about their work.
• Provide workplace coaching. Unlike mentors, who offer support to new hires over an extended period of time, workplace coaches help motivate new and established employees by focusing on specific values, strategies, and goals during a shorter period, such as throughout the completion of a particular project.
• Include professional peers. Involving peer groups in training can help all staff members feel connected, learn from each other, and develop more profound and meaningful relationships. Peer groups help keep new team members accountable because they continually benefit from their colleagues’ advanced skill sets, and your entire team will appreciate your willingness to invest in their success.
• Boost engagement. Increase employee buy-in with “job crafting” to demonstrate the firm’s willingness to invest in employees. Job crafting enables firms to shape job descriptions to better align with employees’ skills, values, and goals. It demonstrates a willingness to listen to their input to increase their motivation to succeed.
• Be flexible. Rather than stick with how things have always been done, be open to discussing new ideas with those most impacted and try to incorporate employee feedback, if possible. Training is meaningless if it does not meet the expectations of those on the receiving end.
• Make retention a firm priority. Emphasize the firm’s commitment to attracting and retaining talent, redefine productivity to include ongoing learning, and identify advancement opportunities for every employee. Ask them to evaluate their current skills, consider areas where they could improve, pinpoint the proficiencies they’ll need for advancement, and discuss how they can reach their goals.
• Focus on the long term. Sit down with each team member at least once a year to complete a professional development advancement plan. Encourage employees to take advantage of further training opportunities through the firm, the community, and online. Identify which ones they will complete and develop a timeframe for completion.
• Create a follow-up plan. After employees complete the initial training and any additional professional development programs, check in to see what they learned and look for ways they can share their knowledge with the rest of the team.
• Invest in leadership training. Training is not just for employees. Law firms should also create a leadership training program to mobilize team members around common goals to achieve tangible outcomes. An effective firm leader understands other people’s motivations and can merge individual needs and interests with the firm’s mission.

The days of command and control management are gone - employees seek more control than ever before. When training new employees, firms should practice intentional listening to discover what they need and want to be happy and successful. Gen Z and millennial employees want to work for firms whose values align with theirs. Firms must foster a more collaborative and employee-oriented culture to retain talent long-term.

Training programs for remote staff

Many law firms remain intent on returning their staff to the office, even though remote work has happened relatively seamlessly for several years. One possible reason: training legal staff in person is perceived much easier than doing so through virtual means.According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), approximately five percent of the workforce were already working from home before the pandemic occurred. When they were required to work remotely, many more people had their first experience of an extended period of working from home and experienced the advantages and challenges of working remotely. Research indicates that approximately 30 percent plan to work remotely at least one day per week for the next few years, accelerating an existing trend for more flexible work arrangements and likely to lead to a permanent increase in working remotely and via a hybrid approach.Training someone to work from home typically involves:

• The logistics of setting up a remote workspace
• Advising staff on the advantages and challenges to expect when working remotely
• Taking steps to help workers connect to their WFH community to help prevent social isolation
• Coaching regarding how to balance productivity with resilience to make working from home sustainable
• Providing guidance on managing work and home routines and obligations
• Instructing them on how to apply the principles and practices of effective remote collaboration
• Managing virtual meetings and other means of online engagement
• Maintaining a high level of security
• Staying visible when working remotely
• Achieving and maintaining the proper balance of teamwork and independent tasks

Training associate attorneys remotely is not necessarily easy to do. Although speaking with other staff members remotely is relatively straightforward, it is not always easy for partners and associates to remotely review documents, annotate materials, and perform other activities typically involved in the training process. In addition, people may be less likely to focus when training processes are conducted remotely since they often have other issues and distractions to contend with while working from home.One solution is to designate a mentor to review a brief, discuss a case, or dissect how research and writing might be improved. The mentor/mentee connection is vital at many firms since it links associates to the firm and ensures that mentees will recall the guidance they received when it comes time for them to train the next generation of lawyers.When attorneys work virtually on a regular basis, law firms must consider how training processes are impacted. Although exchanges between mentor and mentee can occur remotely via Zoom calls and tracked changes, it is generally easier to review work product and stay focused during in-person training sessions. Since communication between mentor and mentee is essential at many firms, this could be a critical consideration for law firms deciding when to relocate lawyers and staff back to the office.

Training programs for hybrid staff

The past several years have been challenging for both employees and employers, and challenges ensured throughout the pandemic have introduced new ways of working, including a shift to hybrid work environments. According to the recent Littler Annual Employer Survey Report, more than 70 percent of U.S. employers are now embracing hybrid work models, reinforcing the concept that flexible work arrangements are more than just a temporary fad.Many employees quit or move on when they reach a point of mental exhaustion in a position or firm, and burnout is frequent among those who stay without accommodation or clear expectations. Today’s employees look for exciting employment opportunities that provide both financial stability and emotional well-being. This shift requires leaders to reassess established workplace practices and closely monitor workforce trends to develop new strategies to strengthen and retain modern-day teams.An employee-centric approach, or an approach that places the needs of personnel above operations, has become critical to retention. Hybrid work arrangements provide the work-life balance necessary to ensure employees are productive and emotionally fulfilled at work. Hybrid teams include team members based part-time in the office, part from home, and perhaps part from a third place such as a coworking space or coffee shop, or a combination of all of these.Hybrid teams are nothing new. For example, many virtual teams feature a dominant location where several people are based, and other people are part of the team but rarely see each other face to face. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased the number and complexity of these teams. Some common challenges related to training, leading, and working in hybrid teams include:

• Defining what flexible work means in the legal sector
• Clearly identifying the norms of how the team will work together
• Understanding and managing the advantages and disadvantages of the different work settings
• Clarifying what work is best done where and by whom
• Effectively running meetings where some people attend in person and others join virtually
• Explaining how law firm technology fits into the hybrid model
• Improving work-from-home productivity and sustainability
• Organizing hybrid collaboration and communication to ensure uniformity of contribution and access
• Overcoming differential treatment and managing proximity bias
• Creating opportunities for informal communication and learning
• Fostering engagement within the hybrid work model
• Balancing control and trust
• Building collective celebration and recognition
• Implementing the best approach for training a hybrid team

One of the main benefits of training individuals to work in a hybrid model is increased productivity and performance. When employees are adequately trained to navigate a hybrid work environment, they are better equipped to manage their time and tasks effectively, leading increased productivity, superior performance, and improved results for the firm. Here are several things firms should consider when creating an effective hybrid workplace training program:

• Focus on soft skills. In a traditional work setting, training typically focuses mostly on workplace requirements. Still, as more companies adapt to hybrid work arrangements, more emphasis must be placed on soft skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and empathy.
• Utilize digital tools. In-person training can be time-consuming and challenging to organize, especially with a hybrid workforce. Instead of daily sessions of in-person instruction, consider pairing short, virtual sessions with on-demand access to training content.
• Base training on the role. Training topics and format must be customized according to the position. For example, those who spend more time interacting with clients may require shorter training sessions that don’t take them away from core duties, while those learning new skills or a new software program might benefit more from longer sessions spread over days or weeks.
• Encourage self-directed learning. Hybrid workplace training allows firms to provide learners with all the necessary resources to succeed at self-directed learning, including digital courses that cover a wide range of topics and live sessions where learners may ask questions and participate in discussions with other participants.

Whether staff members work remotely, in person, or a combination of the two, the failure to properly train employees and invest in them may prompt the best employees to leave. However, even if no one leaves, unless you invest in your employees through ongoing training and staff development programs, their attitude and work may suffer, ultimately damaging your firm’s bottom line.

Congratulations! You've tirelessly studied for what feels like centuries, you managed to pass the bar exam with flying colors and put in the work to prove you've got the chops. Now you're ready to start the next chapter of your legal career— opening or joining a practice of your very own. Sitting on the edge of your future as a lawyer is exhilarating—you have the power to change people's lives, protect the innocent, and uphold justice as a legal professional.Yet, launching your legal career can be daunting. There are all sorts of factors to weigh out when it comes to starting your practice. Most importantly where you plan on practicing. While initially, you may dream of practicing law in a thriving metropolitan setting with plenty of lucrative opportunities, you may start to consider the alternative of opening a law practice in a smaller community.A smaller community may offer more of a community connection, lower overhead costs, and less competition. Depending on what your priorities and personal goals are, the place you choose to pursue your legal career will play a substantial role in your overall success.Do you dream of a glitzy big law career in a New York City law firm? Maybe the small town aspect of Spokane appeals to you? The decision of what city you'll choose to pursue your legal career carries significant weight since it will directly impact the trajectory of your career. Here are some of the most compelling reasons why selecting the right city is incredibly important:

Opportunities for specialization

The market for legal services varies greatly depending on where you are. Some locations boast plenty of opportunities for your legal sector, while others may be more limited. The right city for you will ultimately depend on the types of legal services you offer. In other words, a criminal defense lawyer will probably find a lot more clients in a city with a higher crime rate like Washington D.C. than they would in a suburban neighborhood in Idaho.Whereas an intellectual property attorney would probably be better off choosing a city with a strong tech industry like Seattle. Aligning your legal services with the right city can significantly enhance your career prospects.

Networking and development

Practicing law in a city with an active legal community can offer you ample networking opportunities building connections that help you develop your career. From local Bar Association events to conferences, choosing a city full of networking opportunities can significantly benefit your practice. For instance, cities like Washington, D.C., home to numerous federal agencies and the highest number of lawyers per capita, offer a vibrant legal community with a wide range of networking opportunities.

Cost of living

The cost of living varies substantially across the United States and Canada. When first launching your career, it may take time to establish yourself. Starting a career in a location with an extremely high cost of living could significantly affect your overall well-being and quality of life. It's important to take the cost of living into consideration so that you have enough resources to devote to your growing practice and enhancing your professional skills.

Quality of life

In September 2018 the American Bar Association started a campaign addressing the high rates of alcohol and substance abuse issues amongst lawyers. Recent statistics show that lawyers have substantially higher levels of substance use and mental health issues than the general population. For many lawyers, these issues start as early as law school.In a report issued by the American Bar Association partnered with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, nearly 21% of practicing lawyers identify as problematic drinkers. Out of the 13,000 lawyers surveyed 28% of them said they struggled with depression. With statistics like these, adding any more stress to your life as a lawyer could be detrimental to your overall well-being. Choosing a city that promises a high quality of life can make a world of difference in not only your mental health but also your physical health.

Clientele

Identifying your target market and understanding their needs and demands can significantly impact the success and growth of your practice. Whether you specialize in corporate law, criminal defense, or family law, tailoring your location to accommodate your preferred clientele can provide a competitive advantage. For instance, if your focus is on corporate clients, cities like New York or San Francisco offer bustling business environments with numerous multinational corporations and startups. On the other hand, if you specialize in entertainment law, Los Angeles could be an excellent choice due to its thriving entertainment industry.By strategically aligning your practice with a city that caters to your desired clientele, you can position yourself for greater opportunities and build lasting professional relationships.

Opportunities for growth

If your ultimate goal is growth and expansion, it is essential to consider the cities that offer more opportunities and conducive environments for legal practices. Data shows that certain cities in the United States have experienced significant population growth, which can directly impact your potential client base and contribute to your long-term success.As of 2021, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Idaho were amongst the top states for the largest growing population showing a rate of growth that could potentially double the population over the following 7 years. These booming cities not only attract new residents but also foster economic growth, attracting businesses and startups that often require legal services. By establishing your practice in a rapidly growing city, you can tap into a larger pool of potential clients and capitalize on the opportunities presented by an expanding market.

Overview of the 5 best cities for attorneys

When selecting the best city to open your practice, there are various criteria to consider. Evaluating each factor will help you make a better-informed decision that won't only set the stage for your professional success, but also personal satisfaction. Here are the following factors to consider when choosing the right city for you:

Demand for legal services

It’s crucial to evaluate how much demand there is for legal services in each city you're considering. You can do this by looking at the total number of law firms, businesses, and organizations which will ultimately determine how many opportunities there are for work.

While you may assume that the demand for lawyers automatically equates to the size of a city, the truth is that this isn't always the case. Surprisingly, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019 most of the top ten metro areas with the highest lawyer demand were not large cities but in fact state capitals.Cities, regions and countries come with what is referred to as a location quotient. A location quotient is a statistical measure that assesses the concentration of a particular industry, in your case, the legal kind. It's calculated by comparing the ratio of employment in a specific industry in one area compared to the national average. In other words, a location quotient larger than 1 would indicate that the location has a higher range of employment opportunities than average, and lower than 1 would indicate lower than average.

Average attorney rates

According to a 2020 American Bar Association report, the average wage for lawyers is highly dependent on geography. 8 out of the 20 highest-paid metro areas in the U.S. for lawyers were located in California, with a whopping average salary of $218,420 in San Jose. Whereas, the lowest salary was averaged at $40,590 in Aguadilla Puerto Rico.In order to determine your salary, you should look at the average rates for attorneys in each city. The National Association of Law Placement provides a buying power index, also referred to as a BMI. They compare law firms associate salaries with the buying power of that salary in different cities. While some cities like New York offer a more promising salary, you can stretch the same salary much further in a place like Palo Alto California which has a significantly lower cost of living.Make sure you weigh out buying power when calculating your potential earnings since this can significantly cut down your total earnings.

Cost of living

The right city for you should be one that you can realistically afford. Assess the affordability of each city you're considering by looking at the things like the average cost of rent, utilities, and transportation costs. Not only is affordability important in terms of your business, but it will also give you greater personal satisfaction when you can live comfortably.Similar to a BPI, each city comes with a cost of living index also referred to as a COI. A COI is a score that reflects the estimation of money it will cost you to sustain a certain level of living in a city. From your basic expenses to taxes to health care. Many government agencies can provide cost of living data, as well as online tools like the Cost of Living Index (COLI) Web Calculator on the Council for Community and Economic Research website.

Legal specialization opportunities

Look into which industries and sectors dominate the city you're considering to identify whether there are potential opportunities for you to create a specialized legal practice. Don't be afraid to get creative when analyzing what kind of legal specialization could work in each city. Sometimes the more specific your niches the more chances you have of being highly successful.Are you interested in specializing in biotech and education law opportunities? Go to Boston where the biotechnology industry dates back to the 1970s. The governor signed the Massachusetts Life and Sciences Act in 2008 which promised $1 billion for the development of the biotech industry, making Massachusetts one of the top places for the biotech industry.Sometimes all it takes is a little digging to find where the perfect place for your niche would be.

Demographics

Analyzing a city's demographics is key. From age distribution to ethnic composition to population size, the demographics of where you pursue your legal career can play a significant role in the size of your clientele. A lawyer who specializes in education law will probably want to place themselves somewhere with a younger student population, whereas someone who specializes in immigration law will thrive in a city with a higher immigration population.Assessing the local census data can be a useful source of information when choosing a strategic placement for your practice. You may also find online tools like City-Data.com helpful since it aggregates demographic data and presents it in an easy to read user-friendly format

Local advertisement regulations

Familiarizing yourself with the local regulations of the city you choose is critical. Different cities may have different regulations which could impact your practice. For example, certain states like Florida are known for having stricter rules than others in governing how you can market your legal practices.From the placement of your advertising, to disclosure requirements, to celebrity endorsements there are strict rules about how you can advertise your legal services. All lawyer advertisements in Florida are subject to review by the Florida Bar Association, And if they are interpreted in any way to be misleading clients, you could find yourself in hot water. Remember, local regulations change all the time, so it's always important to check up with the latest advertising rules with the state bar wherever you're considering opening your practice.

5 best cities for attorneys to join/start a practice

1Washington DC

Being home to the federal government of the United States, and many international organizations, Washington DC ranks as one of the best choices for lawyers. Other than government organizations, the city also has various universities and various major medical facilities which offer a handsome selection of professional legal opportunities. If you're looking to develop your career in the administrative and policy world, then Washington could be the ideal place for you. With an average salary well over the national average, Washington DC makes a promising choice.Average Annual Salary: $190,000Buying Power Index: 1.526Location Quotient: 7.23Population: 671,803

2Houston, TX

Houston hosts a large number of Fortune 500 companies, energy corporations, healthcare institutions, and many other industries that require legal services. Since Houston is driven by such strong industries, it boasts a strong and diverse economy that can translate to a higher demand for legal services.With a buying power index of 2.546, lawyers in Houston can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.Average Annual Salary: $123,480Buying Power Index: 2.546Location Quotient: .96Population: 2.3 million

3Tallahassee, FL

As the capital of Florida, Tallahassee’s economy is fueled by its important role in the state government. There are state and federal courts, including the Florida Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida which provides ample opportunities for lawyers. It is also home to Florida State University.With a mild climate and plenty of recreational opportunities, it's not just a professionally promising location, but also offers a great quality of life. Despite having a lower average annual salary than other cities on this list, Tallahassee’s cost of living is 9.4% lower than the US average.Average Annual Salary: $86,00Buying Power Index: .880Location Quotient: 2.39Population: 201,731

4Chicago, IL

Chicago is home to some of the most prestigious law firms in the country including Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Sydney Austin LLP. Not to mention it's also home to some of the most renowned law schools in the country like University of Chicago law school and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.Chicago is the third largest metropolitan area in the United States, and an incredibly important city in the Midwest. Not to mention with a population boasting nearly 10 million people, Chicago hosts 30% more jobs for lawyers compared to the national average.Average Annual Salary: $129,580Buying Power Index: 1.921Location Quotient: 1.17Population: 2.7 million

5Miami, FL

Miami has a thriving economy thanks to being home to numerous national and international companies. From finance to hospitality to international trade, Miami is full of plenty of businesses, making it a very desirable place for lawyers to work.Miami has 75% more lawyers per capita than the national average, making it a promising destination for your legal career. Not to mention Miami is known for its low taxes, stable economy, and lest we forget its rather pleasant climate.Average Annual Salary: $ 114,570Buying Power Index: .844Location Quotient: 1.99Population: 439,890

Building a successful legal career: choose the right city for you

It's important to keep in mind that everyone's individual preferences and circumstances are unique which can influence the overall choice of where the best place for you is. Despite a great location quotient and average salary you may not want to live in a big city. Whereas a place with a high salary and low cost of living may seem like the perfect choice, yet there may be very few job opportunities.With the right blend of carefully measuring each factor, and a dash of ambition, strategic planning, and dedication, you’ll carve out a fulfilling and prosperous career in the right location for you.

Sources:

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes230000.htmhttps://www.nalp.org/class_of_2020_buying_power_indexhttps://www.census.gov/