Podcast #204: How to Keep Your Shit Together as a Law-Firm Leader, with Sherry Walling

In this episode with Sherry Walling, we talk about the typical sources of stress and unhappiness for an entrepreneur, and how to be objective about these levels. We also redefine work-life balance and talk about whether or not happiness should be an end goal.

Sherry Walling

Dr. Sherry Walling is the life force behind ZenFounder. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in treating stress-related problems in high achieving people. She is an academic and professional powerhouse with master’s degrees in psychology and theology, formal training as a yoga teacher, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

ZenFounder is Sherry’s response to the pervasive burnout, anxiety, depression, and loneliness that she has encountered in hundreds of entrepreneurs.

You can follow Sherry on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Thanks to LawPay, Smokeball, CaseStatus, and New Law Business Model for sponsoring this episode!

Show Notes

You can get Sherry’s Zenfounder Guide to Retreats here.

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Transcript

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The post Podcast #204: How to Keep Your Shit Together as a Law-Firm Leader, with Sherry Walling appeared first on Lawyerist.com.

source https://lawyerist.com/podcast-204-sherry-walling/

Podcast #203: Ethical Legal Innovation, with Will Hornsby

In this episode with Will Hornsby, we talk about whether or not ethics rules are standing in the way of innovation.

Will Hornsby

After serving as staff counsel in the American Bar Association’s Division for Legal Services for 30 years, Will Hornsby now maintains a solo practice that advances access to legal services by helping lawyers, legal marketers and innovators better understand the intersection of ethics and opportunity. Will’s theory is that those who have a better understanding of the rules of professional conduct have greater opportunity to structure their messaging and delivery systems in ways that maximizing their practice potential while complying with the rules.

You can follow Will on LinkedIn.

Thanks to LawPay, Smokeball, Lawclerk, and New Law Business Model for sponsoring this episode!

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Don’t miss an episode of The Lawyerist Podcast! Subscribe now in your favorite podcast app.

Transcript

If you are hard of hearing, please contact us for a transcript of this episode.

The post Podcast #203: Ethical Legal Innovation, with Will Hornsby appeared first on Lawyerist.com.

source https://lawyerist.com/podcast-203-will-hornsby/

Writing Better Email Newsletters

Email newsletters can be tough to write. What do you say? How do you say it? What format should it be? We offer a few tips and suggestions to help you create email newsletters people will want to read from header to footer.

The post Writing Better Email Newsletters appeared first on Lawyerist.com.

source https://lawyerist.com/product/writing-better-email-newsletters/

A/R Ledger

At Lawyerist, we’ve talked about accounts receivable a few times. In our view, you need to collect money in a timely way and that’s all there is to that. Having outstanding invoices older than 30 days is brutal on cash flow and is correlated to reduced collectability. That’s why you should make it easy for your clients to pay you by offering multiple payment options. (Online payments anyone?)

Accounts receivable is important. It’s the cash flow that keeps your law firm afloat. You should check it at least once every week. Having a running appreciation for your outstanding A/R will give you an intimate view of your business and help you make important improvements to your firm’s finances.

But tracking of all those invoices and due dates isn’t always fun, and it’s often quite time-consuming. The best way to keep track of your accounts receivable is to either hire a bookkeeper or to use your bookkeeping software’s reporting function. If you don’t have a bookkeeper or bookkeeping function, we’ve created an A/R ledger to help you track of your invoicing. Remember to keep tabs on your A/R and stay on top of your billing!

The post A/R Ledger appeared first on Lawyerist.com.

source https://lawyerist.com/product/a-r-ledger/

Podcast #202: Accessible Justice, with Haben Girma

In this episode, we talk with deaf-blind civil rights lawyer and accessibility advocate Haben Girma about accessible justice and how designing courts, law firms, and the attorney-client relationship for people with disabilities can increase access to justice for everyone.

Haben Girma

The first deaf-blind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma is a civil rights lawyer and she advocates for equal opportunities for people with disabilities. President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change, and Forbes recognized her in its 30 Under 30 list. Haben travels the world consulting and public speaking, teaching clients the benefits of fully accessible products and services. She is a talented storyteller who helps people frame difference as an asset.

You can follow Haben on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Thanks to LawPay, Smokeball, Allocate, and New Law Business Model for sponsoring this episode!

Subscribe

Don’t miss an episode of The Lawyerist Podcast! Subscribe now in your favorite podcast app.

Transcript

If you are hard of hearing, please contact us for a transcript of this episode.

The post Podcast #202: Accessible Justice, with Haben Girma appeared first on Lawyerist.com.

source https://lawyerist.com/podcast-202-haben-girma/

Podcast #201: 4 Keys to a Profitable Law Firm, with Greg Crabtree

In this episode with Greg Crabtree, we talk about the four keys to a profitable law firm. This includes how to figure out what a small-firm owner or partner’s salary should be, how to increase productivity in a service business, when to take distributions, and how to think about tax breaks.

Greg Crabtree

Greg Crabtree is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and financial expert. After spending five years in regional accounting and three years as Vice President of operations/controller for a local bank, Crabtree used his entrepreneurial skills to develop Crabtree, Rowe & Berger, PC, a CPA firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs build the economic engine of their business. In addition to serving as the firm’s CEO, Crabtree leads the business consulting team—helping clients align their financial goals with their profit model and their core business values. Greg and his wife Debbie have four children. Greg is an avid golfer and enjoys playing historic golf courses whenever his travel plans permit.

You can follow Greg on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Thanks to LawPay, Smokeball, Back Office Betties, and New Law Business Model for sponsoring this episode!

Show Notes

You can get Greg’s book, Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits!: 4 Keys to Unlock Your Business Potential here.

Subscribe

Don’t miss an episode of The Lawyerist Podcast! Subscribe now in your favorite podcast app.

Transcript

If you are hard of hearing, please contact us for a transcript of this episode.

The post Podcast #201: 4 Keys to a Profitable Law Firm, with Greg Crabtree appeared first on Lawyerist.com.

source https://lawyerist.com/podcast-201-greg-crabtree/

The Power of the Phone Call (Sponsored)

The Power of the Phone Call

There is no denying we’ve plunged into a high-touch, digital age. But amidst the emails, text messages, and chat boxes, one medium of communication reigns supreme: the phone call.

65% of people prefer to contact a business by phone.

The power of interpersonal communication is alive and well in our high-tech world. Nearly twice as many people opt for the telephone over an online form. In choosing to dial your number, a potential client has made the decision to see how you can help them.

74% of callers are likely to choose another business after a poor phone experience.

Missed calls are missed opportunities. If you don’t answer when clients come to call, odds are, they’ll hang up without leaving a message. How many potential clients have you lost to voicemail? Offer a warm, professional voice to your callers and leave a lasting first impression.

30% of those said they’re likely to leave a bad review.

Word of mouth referrals prove to be the most effective form of advertisement and come without cost. By creating an exceptional client experience from the first touch, you’re laying the groundwork for a trusting, loyal relationship. Give your clients a reason to recommend your practice from the moment you say “hello.”

80% of callers say a good phone experience makes them a repeat customer.

You want to be there for your clients—but between court dates, client meetings, paperwork, and travel, how can you find the time to answer every call that comes in?

Ruby_® Receptionists answers 100% of your calls live!

Ruby® Receptionists answers 100% of your calls live! We ensure every one of your callers receives an excellent experience—helping you win clients and delight those you already have. During business hours, evenings, and weekends, Ruby’s virtual receptionists answer and transfer calls to you live, take messages, delight callers in English or Spanish, collect intake, make outbound calls on your behalf, and more!

Coupled with our legendary service is our proprietary technology. Our software integrates with Clio, Rocketmatter, and Lexicata to streamline your workflow while the Ruby mobile app syncs with your contacts and calendar to keep you connected and prepared.

Our app empowers you to work wherever, whenever and adjust your call handling preferences on the fly. With the power of a receptionist team in the palm of your hand, all you need to run your practice is Ruby and a cell phone.

Curious? Give us a call at 866-611-7829 (RUBY) and experience our receptionists for yourself! You can also visit callruby.com/lawyerist to discover how Ruby can help you grow your practice.

Source: Invoca, State of the Mobile Experience, 2016

The post The Power of the Phone Call (Sponsored) appeared first on Lawyerist.com.

source https://lawyerist.com/the-power-of-the-phone-call-sponsored-2/

Boosting Office Morale: 2019 Challenge

A happy office is a productive office, but it’s a bit difficult to be happy in an office where no one really knows each other or everyone focuses only on work. Our download features several activities you can do in your office and with your colleagues to boost office morale. We challenge you to do one of these a month for 2019. Give it a go, then let us know how it goes!

The post Boosting Office Morale: 2019 Challenge appeared first on Lawyerist.com.

source https://lawyerist.com/product/boosting-office-morale-2019-challenge/