My Shingle

January 2012

Blogging to Change the World

January 26, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

Update (1/26/12, 11 am) Here’s Scott’s post, Un-Optimization, which was also referenced by Kevin. Read the post yourself, but as I interpret it, Scott argues you can’t have it both ways: if you write what you believe in or what is controversial, you take a chance that you will offend or drive others away. If [...]

Read more MyShingle Solo 3 comments

To Blog Right, You Need to Imagine Your Audience

January 26, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

Of all of the commandments of blogging, know and write for your audience ranks at the top of the list.  But for those who blog to silent crowds who never email or send comments, the primary source of information about our readers comes through statistical data generated by our stat counters on the popularity of [...]

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At the End of the Day, Who Comes Through For You?

January 25, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

When you start a law firm, you encounter lots of naysayers along the way. Yet while negativity is always unpleasant, at least when it’s out there, blatantly up front and in your face, you can simply walk away. Contrast the naysayers with another sector that many solos and solos-to-be run into: the well-intended lawyers and [...]

Read more Encouragement 6 comments

MyPocketAttorney: Rock It or Block It?

January 23, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

Ever intrepid tech-adventurer, Bob Ambrogi has uncovered yet another interesting find: My Pocket Attorney, a site that provides a  template that lawyers can use to create a branded mobile app for their law firm. Apps developed through the MyPocketAttorney suite of tools include features such as one-touch dialing so that users can call your office, [...]

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There is Nothing Wrong With Trying, Failing and Being Honest About It.

January 20, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

So, a lawyer walks on to Groupon, offers a $99 will, scores some coverage in the ABA Journal, sells 53 of the $99 will packages (with Groupon taking a 50 percent cut) and generates 150 calls and emails from other lawyers who are interested as well as some “uncharitable” commentary.  Now, he’s decided against using [...]

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Does Your Marketing Consultant Have Skin In the Game?

January 19, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

Accountability is today’s latest buzzword, a commodity in high demand in the legal community. Whether it’s large firm clients exploring alternative billing that would create a nexus between price and value, or exploring ways to make legal education more useful or simply making legal fees more transparent for consumers, both law students and clients want [...]

Read more Marketing & Making Money 2 comments

Question for Transactional Solos: What Kind of Contracts Do You Frequently Draft?

January 19, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

A few months ago, I reviewed a product released by Ken Adams and Koncision; a form confidentiality agreement that lawyers can use for drafting. Though you’ve probably seen dozens of NDA’s and confidentiality agreements online, Ken’s product is far more high end and detailed, which means that you can rely on it to make a [...]

Read more Announcements 2 comments

The NY State Bar Has a Mobile App for Ethics. Why Not the ABA or Other States?

January 17, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

Lawyers are obligated to abide by ethics rules at all times – and thanks to the New York State Bar Association , fulfilling that obligation is easier than it’s ever been with a new mobile app that’s available for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry. As a New York licensed lawyer myself, I’ve already downloaded the [...]

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Is Using a PO Box as A Law Firm Address Penny Wise, Pound Foolish?

January 17, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

Over at Attorney at Work, solo Ruth Carter discusses her reasons for choosing a post office box as a mailing address for her newly launched, home-based law firm. Not surprising for a new solo, cost considerations played a significant role; at a price of around $17-$22 per month, Carter explains that a post office box [...]

Read more Office Options 11 comments

Taking Back the Law Doesn’t Mean Going Backwards

January 13, 2012 by Carolyn Elefant

So, I’m not sure what it was about my post last week, Take Back the Law, that lead a few commenters to suggest that I favor the status quo. I mean, I suppose the fact that I didn’t use buzzwords like entrepreneur (because I’m not, really) or enthusiastically promote unbundled virtual law practice (because in [...]

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