Asking for Help
My Small Firm Business column for the month, Ask A Simple Question as been posted over at law.com In it, I discuss both the benefits of asking for help as well as places to look that you might not have thought about. I’d have to credit Professor Steven Lubet and his recent article, Artificial Intelligence as generating the idea for this piece. Lubet’s article argues that law school doesn’t teach the skills we need in practice, foremost, the ability to ask questions. My article is a start towards addressing that gap.
By the way, the next time you feel intimidated or embarrassed to ask a question, just think of me, 40 years old, 16 years of law practice and still asking the best way to draft a request for admission or which side to sit on in the hearing room or how many copies to file. If I can do it, so can you.
“Asking for Help”
Posted by Carolyn Elefant: ?y Small Firm Business column for the month, Ask A Simple Question as been posted over
“Asking for Help”
Posted by Carolyn Elefant: ?y Small Firm Business column for the month, Ask A Simple Question as been posted over
Any solo lawyer who is not on solosez is committing malpractice. Having other lawyers to bounce stupid ideas off is essential. I practice in an office sharing arrangement with about 30 other attorneys. Usually someone in my office knows the answer and if not, solosez is invaluable. As well, I have not been afraid to call attorneys who I know are experts in the area I have a question about – as long as I have some relationship already established with that lawyer. I find asking for help extremely valuable and time saving. I can’t imagine a lawyer trying to find everything else on his own – especially a solo/small firm lawyer.
Sterling L. DeRamus
Any solo lawyer who is not on solosez is committing malpractice. Having other lawyers to bounce stupid ideas off is essential. I practice in an office sharing arrangement with about 30 other attorneys. Usually someone in my office knows the answer and if not, solosez is invaluable. As well, I have not been afraid to call attorneys who I know are experts in the area I have a question about – as long as I have some relationship already established with that lawyer. I find asking for help extremely valuable and time saving. I can’t imagine a lawyer trying to find everything else on his own – especially a solo/small firm lawyer.
Sterling L. DeRamus