My Shingle

September 2011

To a New Year of Meaning

September 30, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Both today and yesterday, I have been observing Rosh Hashanna, the Jewish New Year. When I was in college and law school, I abided the rituals, well, religiously, foregoing work and use of any electronics and spending my time in services. But back then, the prayers and rituals resonated with me in a way that [...]

Read more Encouragement 1 comment

How Grunt Work Can Get You Grand Work

September 27, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Conventional wisdom recommends that lawyers involve themselves in organizations like bar or trade associations — either by joining the groups or offering to speak at events — to demonstrate legal and leadership skills and build relationships with colleagues and potential clients through regular contact. Trouble is that this advice is easier said than done. Most [...]

Read more New Marketing Ideas 1 comment

MyShingle Fashion: How To Dress Like a French Woman: Second K.I.S.S.

September 27, 2011 by HumaRashid

I couldn’t think of a clever way to say that this was another Keep It Simple post. But that’s precisely what it is: another post in our Dress Like a French Woman mini-series where I show you how to keep things simple and look fabulous. Last time, I featured a basic outfit that’s great for [...]

Read more Fashion & Lifestyle 2 comments

Why Does NAMWOLF, An Association for Women & Minority Lawyers Exclude Solos?

September 26, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Legal excellence knows no color or gender, reads the tagline for the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF). Unfortunately, NAMWOLF’s egalitarian notion of legal excellence doesn’t extend to size: shockingly, NAMWOLF bars women and minority owned solo and two-attorney practices from even applying for membership . For an organization that professes [...]

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Lessons from Crowdsourced Advice for a Struggling Solo

September 26, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Ten days ago, in an effort to reply quickly to a struggling solo who’d contacted me for advice, I reached out to readers to crowdsource a response. The post touched off 40 comments, some offering sound advice to a solo in these circumstances, others not so much. The comments also spawned several sub-discussions on what’s [...]

Read more Growing Your Practice 2 comments

An Attorney Listing Site to Avoid If You Want To Avoid Ethics Problems

September 22, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Sometimes, a new concept emerges that’s never been done before because no one ever thought of it. That’s called innovation. But other times, there’s reason that the new concept hasn’t been done before: because it’s a downright stupid idea. Unfortunately, many lawyers can’t tell the difference between innovation and idiocy, which is the only explanation [...]

Read more Mistakes/What NOT To Do 14 comments

Crowdsourcing Advice for a Struggling Solo

September 16, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

[Update 9/23--Readers - thank you for your response.  We've collected an enormous amount of information, some very helpful, some of it obvious and some of it (diving in full force to cases by copying pleadings stood out to me as inadvisable and potential career killer but there are others). I've got to read through everything [...]

Read more Growing Your Practice 40 comments

Online Guide on Starting A Practice; Seeking More Input on Gift Guide

September 15, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

Last month, I posted this form seeking information on your favorite gifts to give to clients and referral sources, as well as gifts that you’d like to receive. The topic of giving gifts versus sending thank yous generated some healthy discussion in the comments – and in fact, if a written note is your preferred [...]

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The First Week of Going Solo

September 14, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

The following is a guest post by Carl, a New Jersey Divorce Attorney who recently hung a shingle. The First Week of Going Solo Day 1 The first few weeks of hanging a shingle and starting a law practice are a blurry, fear-inducing yet simultaneously exciting tightrope walk along the edge of hope and fear. [...]

Read more Encouragement 8 comments

Should Lawyers Be Seen in Jeans?

September 13, 2011 by Carolyn Elefant

This week’s  fashion column just went up and it’s already generating some controversy.  A couple of readers have asked whether a column on jeans reflects my view that denim is suitable attire for female (and presumably male) lawyers.  To be honest, it never occurred to me that a post on jeans might be viewed as [...]

Read more Fashion & Lifestyle 8 comments

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