Articles 2022

Today
Today

The Struggle to Switch Practice Areas in Law and How Solo and Small Firm Lawyers Can Help

  • September 30, 2020
  • Erin C. Cowling

Erin Cowling provides her perspective on the unique opportunity for solo and small firm lawyers to assist newly called lawyers looking to switch practice areas. Read on to find out her experience and her take on how solo and small firm lawyers can give these lawyers a chance.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Student Forum

Hanging your Shingle as a Newly Minted Attorney: Five Lessons Learned in my First Year of Sole Practice

  • September 30, 2020
  • Rocco G. Scocco

Rocco G. Scocco offers readers his personal “Top Five Lessons” learned in his first year of sole practice as a freshly minted lawyer. If you are seeking advice about whether sole practice is right for you, the only ones who can give that advice are other lawyers who have done it themselves. Most importantly, the only person who can know if it is the right choice is you.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Student Forum

The Importance of Cyber Insurance for Law Firms

  • May 22, 2020
  • Christopher Masaki, MBA, development underwriter at Boxx Insurance Inc.

It’s not a matter of if, but when. Technology continues to develop in ways that are both amazing and alarming and allow us to connect in ways we would have previously considered unimaginable. With increased technological advancement and reliance, however, comes increased opportunities for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities and access hoards of sensitive personal and corporate data, which means increased cyber risks for more and more organizations.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Insurance Law, Student Forum

Running Your Law Practice Like a Well-Oiled Machine

  • March 03, 2020
  • Karl Kremer, business coach at The Peak Potential

A law practice is a business and needs to be treated like one. The great lawyers that are running them need to learn to be great business owners. Here are five steps to help you get your practice running like a well-oiled and profitable business.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Student Forum

Staying Organized: Tips for Personal File Management

  • November 12, 2019
  • Marisa Lau, associate at Grinhaus Law

A lawyer’s time is their most important asset. Therefore, having the right tools to help you manage your workload efficiently at the office is crucial.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Student Forum

Work Perks: Incentivizing Lawyers at the Small-Firm Level

  • October 17, 2019
  • Chris Chu, principal at Chris Chu Law

In a competitive legal market, many bright minds gravitate to large and multi-national firms, often taking a cut in their social lives for larger salaries and swanky corporate benefits packages. Even for lawyers who desire a more balanced approach to their career and personal life, the sacrifice of a high wage can’t come without gaining well-positioned benefits packages.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Student Forum

What's Your Brand?

  • October 11, 2019
  • Adaline Huang, associate at Chris Chu Law

With every interaction you are establishing your “brand”. Whether you are dealing with a client, service provider, administration staff, colleagues or superiors, how you react in each situation tells those whom you are dealing with what kind of lawyer you are.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Student Forum

Making Money: Billable Hours vs. Flat Fees – How should a firm decide?

  • January 08, 2019
  • Andrew Di Lullo

The question of money is central to all firms – new or established. Without cash flow, you can’t make your overhead; you can’t pay your salaries; you can’t invest in marketing initiatives or take advantage of expansion opportunities. And so, when lawyers begin thinking about a new practice - along with choosing a name, a logo, finding a location, researching software tools and setting out a marketing plan - they must also think of the fees they will charge.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Student Forum

Le Dain and Mental Health in the Legal Profession

  • January 08, 2019
  • Ayushi Kiran, student member-at-large

The CBA has been actively working towards undoing the injustice done to late Justice Gerald Le Dain. Addressing mental concerns of legal professionals is the need of the hour. In fact, the Law Society of Ontario’s Mental Health Strategy Task Force has included mental health initiatives as a strategic priority for the 2015-19 governing term.

Sole, Small Firm and General Practice, Student Forum