Rather than making business cards obsolete, technology merely transformed how we use them. Good, old fashioned, business cards still are important. Never leave home without at least a couple in your wallet. In a business situation, the card allows you to appear prepared, professional, and ready for any opportunity that may come your way. In…
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With so many demands on a lawyer’s time, anything additional must be well worth it. Active involvement in Bar Associations or other, similar professional organizations, definitely passes that test. To reap the benefits, just being admitted to the bar in your jurisdiction doesn’t do the trick; you must seek out and involve yourself in the…
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Lawyers should Google themselves for the same reasons law firms and corporations do. Self-Googling (or “ego-surfing,” as it’s sometimes called) is not narcissism; it’s a wise move to identify and shape your personal online reputation or “brand.” Given that everyone from prospective employers to potential clients is likely to check you out online, you should…
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Declining a job offer can be anxiety producing. You might feel guilt or fear anticipating the prospective employer’s disappointment, frustration and—possibly—annoyance. Your refusal is the final chapter of the interviewing process with that prospective employer and you want your last impression to be as positive as your first obviously was with them. The legal marketplace…
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To get ahead in your legal career, you must help your superiors and clients look good. The key is making their lives easier by, essentially, managing your relationship with them. Whether you are junior or senior—and whether your goal is to make partner, earn a promotion in your corporate legal department, or otherwise move up…
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New technologies give rise to new opportunities for lawyers as expanding industry sectors require new regulatory schemes and implementation. The development and commercialization of emerging technologies of course involves the types of legal expertise utilized by any new business or product, but they need creative applications of the law or innovative solutions, as well. Because…
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Are you nervous about your upcoming job interview? Don’t try to calm down. Get excited instead. Much has been written about how to banish pre-interview jitters, but a better strategy is to use that energy to enhance your chances of success. Reframe your feelings The trick is “anxiety reappraisal,” as described in a March 23,…
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Top talent is a hot commodity and will have many suitors. Thus, to engage and ultimately hire the best candidates, you need to woo them. The interview experience is a major factor in whether a prospect chooses to join your organization because your recruiting and hiring process reflects what it’s like to actually work there. According…
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With increased competition among law firms, business development is a top priority. To maximize revenues, many—if not most—law firms incentivize rainmakers via compensation models which encourage business development. They track originations as a way to reward those who bring in the most business. Historically, however, the most profitable U.S. law firms never tracked originations. They…
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O’Melveny jumped to the front of the Biglaw recruiting pack with the announcement of its plans to use a gamified career assessment and recruiting platform to evaluate potential law school candidates. Through the gamification of recruiting, the firm hopes to broaden its recruiting pipeline and gain access to more diverse candidates. Gamification uses game theory,…
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