Here we are halfway through 2020 and now, more than ever, it seems like anything is possible. Start of a new decade. Global pandemic. Racial equality revolution. Lawyers embracing technology. Not to mention the murder hornets. What’s next?!
It’s easy to focus on all the problems our world is facing. Yes, you’ve got to stay informed but it’s difficult to stay informed without getting bogged down with all the negativity and worry about what on earth could come next.
What I want to do is challenge you to look for opportunities and channel your energy towards redefining what is possible for you – both personally and professionally. Let me share some food for thought as you consider the possibilities for redefining your legal career in the … yes, I’m going to say it … in the new normal.
If you are committed to growing your law practice you simply must stop doing everything yourself. It boils down to this premise: You can do all of the things some of the time and some of the things all of the time, but you can’t do all of the things all of the time!
So how can you get the help you need to continue to grow? I have two solutions for you: tech and team.
As a profession, lawyers have historically been reluctant to embrace technology. However, we are amid a Covid-19 forced technological revolution for the legal industry. Court closures, mandatory stay at home orders and the need to remain productive while working from home has pushed many lawyers to find new solutions to the things they need help with to stay productive.
TECH
When it comes to tech, I’m not going to try to pretend that I am tech guru of any sort. What I will say is this. After spending the last couple of years attending all sorts of legal tech conferences, I am convinced there is a tech solution for almost any need a lawyer may have.
First figure out what problem you are trying to solve. Then research tech options to address that problem.
There are tools that simplify and improve your time keeping, conflict tracking, calendar, tasks, documents, billing and so much more. There are tools that help you get paid faster via credit card payments (plus this is how most of your clients want to pay you). There are a variety of enhanced legal research tools to level up your research game. There are practice area specific drafting tools for immigration work, estate planning and contracts. There are tools that
When you find a company that offers a solution to your need, have a conversation with them (either by chat or by phone. Many different services offer free trials so you can really dig into the tool and figure out if it works for you. But keep in mind that a limited trial may not give you enough time to fully learn how to maximize the tool for you and your practice. If you decide to give a new tech tool a shot, commit to giving it at least three to six months to fully decide if its right for you.
TEAM
What tech can’t solve, good old-fashioned human power can. So how do you get started to find the right people to help?
First off, determine what tasks you’d like to delegate. Consider tasks that you either don’t want to do or don’t have time to do. If you are having a hard time putting your finger on tasks that you should offload looking at your monthly billing records. Which of those billing entries did you complete at 2 am? Which of those billing entries do you never want to do yourself again? Those are excellent candidates to be delegated to someone else.
Now, if you are seeking out a new team member does it make the most sense to hire someone full time or part time? In the office or virtual? Thanks to our friend technology there are a lot of options in this realm.
Many lawyers I’ve talked to in the past few months are hesitant to make a traditional full time hire right now – even though they desperately need the help – due to the current state of the world. Who can blame them? The thought of hiring a traditional full-time in the office employee right now is understandably overwhelming.
Once again – thanks to technology there are countless virtual options available, one of which is of course LAWCLERK. Working with virtual freelancers is a flexible, affordable way to get the help you need when you need it. We are committed to helping you get the freelance legal talent you need to next-level your firm.
I truly believe that with the right combination of tech + team anything is possible for a focused, goal chasing attorney. So, how will you redefine what is possible for you?
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