By Jim Calloway  Years ago, I put together a presentation called “The Client-Centered Law Practice.” It focused on the irony that while law firms focused on serving clients and appropriately addressing their legal needs, clients sometimes had an impression that differed from that. To those (hopefully few) clients, it seemed that the law firm was...

By Jim Calloway and Julie Bays In August’s Law Practice Tips article, “ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence and the Lawyer,”we covered the development of AI tools and some challenges they have presented to attorneys who did not appreciate the limitations of ChatGPT. This month, we will look at more AI-powered tools and techniques for using them. DOCUMENT...

By Jim Calloway Author’s Note: The more you think you are not interested in this subject, the more you need to read this article. In November 2022, OpenAI released ChatGPT. ChatGPT, along with other artificial intelligence (AI) tools, has dominated the conversation about cutting-edge technology and legal technology tools during 2023. The reactions have ranged...

By Jim Calloway Suppose next week begins with one of your top paralegals or legal secretaries giving you two weeks’ notice. Maybe they are moving to another location or another local law firm. But now you have an opening to fill. The first response is not about filling the position. First, you must determine if...

By Jim Calloway and Julie Bays ABA TECHSHOW was held March 1 in Chicago. After 2021 resulted in a virtual TECHSHOW and 2022 was a hybrid show, the consensus among attendees was that it was great to be 100% in person again. For us, the ABA TECHSHOW began on Wednesday. We attended a day-long retreat...

By Jim Calloway Even as we endure the chilly winds of March, it is time to look forward to this summer’s Solo & Small Firm Conference, held June 22-24 at the Osage Casino Hotel in Tulsa. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE From the conference kickoff with the ever-popular “60 Tips in 60 Minutes” to the closing session...

By Jim Calloway When lawyers leave private practice to take an in-house counsel or government position, they are often asked about the differences in their new roles. Many of them say they are pleased not to have to complete timesheets anymore – it is a relief not to have to look at the day in six-minute...

By Jim Calloway I recently attended a presentation by Judge Scott Schlegel, a Louisiana district judge who has received many accolades for his forward-thinking views about the use of technology to improve court proceedings, including text message reminders about appearances and calendars available online for scheduling. He asked those attending the program if they had...

By Jim Calloway I often consult with lawyers setting up a new solo or small firm practice. There are many items involved in setting up any new business – like applying for an employer identification number (EIN) and deciding on the best entity to use for the business. But there are also aspects of setting...

By Julie Bays Businesses exist to make a profit. Lawyers often go into practice with the goal of helping their clients with their legal needs. Profits often aren’t the first thing a lawyer thinks about daily, but it should be a primary goal every day. Practicing law can be stressful, and lawyers have enormous responsibilities....