Professional Appearance

Professional appearance is something every lawyer needs to be aware of. Not only in the office, but also in every day to day activity. When one is a lawyer, they not only need to act professional, but they need to have the appearance of professionalism. This will help their confidence while talking to clients or when in front of the judge. Having this done, it will even let the clients know that the lawyers are not frauds or even not caring. So make sure that being dressed professional and well will help you in the case that you are fighting for.

Communication in the work place

Susan and her boss misunderstood each other and are clearly not on the same page. This cartoon example demonstrates the importance of precise communication so there are no mishaps at the workplace.

How the way you dress is way of communicating

You may not realize it but the way you dress plays a large role in communicating. Your physical appearance is your first impression whether you are the lawyer or paralegal or some other staff member. You should always dress for success. Men should wear a suit if possible, or shirt and tie with dress pants. If you see a a member of legal team in jeans and t-shirt you may think twice about using that firm. Women should wear a dress, skirt, blouse and dress pants. No mini-skirts or belly shirts or you probably won't get far. It is especially important for you to be pleasant and smile. The paralegal is usually the person who greets the clients so they should always dress for success.

Communication with Employee's

If you don't have positive communication with your employee's you could loose valuable assets. It is hard to find good employee's so you should do everything to keep them.

With Webinars becoming so popular, it’s only proper that firms know how to prepare for a successful presentation. These are a few tips that you can follow in order to ensure that disruptions and technical problems won’t ruin your presentation.

Minimize Noise
Devices such as copiers, faxes, cell phones etcetera can all be very noisy and should be turned off before the start of your presentation. You should also take the necessary steps to make sure no one walks in unexpectedly, making any type of distractions. Try posting “Do Not Disturb” signs outside your door or make your presentation in a conference room. Another important tip to follow is to use your mute button when not lecturing or commenting. Ruffling through papers and drinking beverages are noises that can easily distract other listeners.

Speak Clearly
Like with all presentations, speak clearly and take your time with your presentation. By not rushing through your presentation, you make it easier for your audience to follow along and comprehend your presentation.
Take Turns Talking and Identify Yourself
Talking over one another, especially over the phone is hard to understand. Try to avoid interrupting other speakers when in a group discussion or answering questions. Identifying yourself is also key when answering questions and during discussions so everyone knows who is speaking.

Prepare for technical difficulties
Hopefully your presentation will go smoothly, but it’s always a good idea to plan for the unexpected. If for some reason the web presentation gets disconnected or delayed, you should be prepared to have a hard copy of any slides, URLs, or any other visual aids close by so the presentation won’t be interrupted.

Other Tips
Presentations should be typically no more than an hour. You want your audience focused and interested in your presentation. Be sure to change slides about every thirty to sixty seconds to create a smooth pace for the participants to follow.


If you follow these small tips, you will be on your way to a successful Webinar!



http://www.ilinc.com/pdf/irc/ilinc-irc-speaker-tips.pdf

The Internet - A friend Indeed

Many of us take the internet for granted. After having your internet down for a period of time due to whatever reason, one may feel disconnected from one of the greatest sources of information, the internet. As technology advanced, so have the individuals who use it. We have become more fluent in sending and receiving messages, but also quickly looking up information from a database for example, or access a helpful blog. The internet allows people from all fields of practice to freely communicate, work out transactions, share information, etc. at incredible speeds. The new day and age we live in steps up up the bar when it comes to efficiency and being productive.

Communication With Technology

When it comes to lawyers, they really need to know all the up to date technological new things that happen. Lawyers have so much to do in a case that they need to use computers for all the information about cases. So all lawyer firms need to be up to date with their systems. There could be an issue with a lawyer dealing with a case and another lawyer needs to step in. The only way by having all the information at finger tips to each lawyer that needs it; would be by a secure computer system. So it is important for lawyers to be on the same boat about communication and how it is used in technology today.

Webinars Making Communication Easier

Everyone knows that communication is very important. However, for some it can mean spending a lot of money. Law firms are now using web seminars so they can stay connected with clients without having to spend a lot money on traveling.

Web seminars, also known as webinars, are presentations that are hosted by attorneys on the internet while clients, who are logged on, can watch the presentations from their own computers and listen to audio through their telephone.

Attorneys can also webinar with other attorneys from many other offices and can present together while clients follow the presentation online. Webinar technology is inexpensive and neither party incurs traveling costs, saving time and money.

So far, it has seemed to be a hit with the clients as well. Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal has done several webinars in the past and has gotten positive feedback from viewers. A key feature of a webinar is that it allows the parties to interact with each other as if they were in the same room. They are able to give, receive, and discuss information.

Webinars are a better tool to use for communications than teleconferences because teleconferences are not able to have those face-to-face interactions between the parties that webinars do. This makes it harder for both parties to easily follow along with what is being discussed.

Overall, webinars are becoming a big hit with law firms and clients. With this newly popular technology, it is providing the same face-to-face interactions while cutting back on traveling costs.


http://www.law.com/jsp/law/sfb/lawArticleSFB.jsp?id=1202428776613&Law_Firms_Turn_to_Webinars_to_Cut_Costs

What is a Legal Memo

A legal memo or a legal memorandum is a specific type of essay dealing with a legal issue. The legal memo is usually written and researched by a paralegal, a law student, or lawyer. It contains these basic elements: statement of facts, issues, conclusions, discussions of the law pertaining to facts, citations of previous applicable cases, and recommendations based on this discussion.

Order of the information contained in a legal memo can differ. Usually one begins with a statement of facts. This section of the legal memo is usually a brief but succinct paragraph that states the relevant facts at hand. A statement of legal issues that underlie the facts tends to follow the statement of facts.

At this point, a conclusion may be offered which will direct the discussion of previous cases dealing with the stated issues in the legal memo. Alternately, the conclusion may come at the end of a legal memo. Format depends upon the law firm for which one is practicing or working, or the way in which a law school dictates format if one is writing a sample legal memo.

A conclusion can then be followed by a discussion of all relevant examples of law, or rulings that prove a conclusion and suggest logical recommendations. This section involves a great deal of research to show that the lawyer is justified in taking whatever position she does. Everything must be cited according to the preferences of the firm or school.

Based on discussion and citation, the legal memo may conclude with recommendations on how to proceed, and how best to help a client with a legal issue. Generally, the legal memo is just a part of the legal process.

A longer version of the legal memo, which may be presented to a judge when numerous decisions must be made, is a legal brief, citing all relevant sources that “prove” an attorney’s stance on the law. These briefs, like the legal memo, support arguments for certain kinds of rights and rulings accorded to a client.

To the layperson, the legal memo is just one way in which lawyers gather research to effectively argue or settle a case. It is similar to a research paper, but tends to be organized into very clear sections, and is law specific.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-legal-memo.htm

The Importance of Effective Communication for Attorneys

Without the communication component, attorneys would be obsolete. The important aspects of communication which attorneys must posses are language skills, reading and oral comprehension, oral communication skills, critical thinking skills, as well as computer skills. (Educational Preparation - Necessary Skills, 2004)

Communication is the cornerstone for being an effective attorney. From the time that the student enters law school, and proceeds to work their way towards becoming an attorney, they are taught how to effectively communicate. Communication for an attorney is more than just conversation. The importance of communication is to ensure that the attorney’s are able to represent themselves in a professional mannerism, as well as their clientèle.

The ability to use effective communication in the workplace for an attorney is a learned process. Attorneys must be able to speak clearly and concisely in both writing and verbally. Writing is a skill, which is imperative to the success of an attorney in (his or her) workplace. In the modern workplace, attorneys spend the majority of their time drafting legal documents such as briefs and contracts. For an attorney to be considered effective in their career; they must be able to utilize professional writing and oral communication at all times.

Reading and oral comprehension are also essential tools for effective communication. Attorneys are expected to memorize and recall large quantities of legal material. From this recollection of information, they absorb new information, which expands on their “framework of legal knowledge.” (Educational Preparation, - Necessary Skills, 2004) Communication within this area of practicing law is especially important because of the continually changing laws, statues and codes. Attorneys are responsible for being able to decipher the exact meaning of what these laws mean, and utilize the information to pursue their cases as needed.

The next area that is of great importance is oral communication. Attorneys must be able to speak in public. The usage of proper rhetoric is key to presenting an effective position, especially for those attorneys who work primarily in the courts. This is primal skill for people who are
involved in such professions as district attorney, public defender or litigator. (Educational Preparation—Necessary Skills, 2004)

Critical thinking skills are equally important as the other aforementioned skills. Critical thinking is intertwined closely with effective communication because it involves reasoning, which enables the attorney to prepare a logical argument, or analyze the validity of a case. Attorneys are expected to solve complex problems, which involve analytical thinking. Without the use of effective communication attorneys cannot do their jobs properly. Attorneys must be able to think on their feet, and ask questions to have a concise comprehension of their responsibilities at hand.

The last essential means of effective communication is that of computer skills. The widespread use of computers has tremendously impacted the legal profession. Most of the research that is conducted by paralegals or attorneys is done via the World Wide Web. E-mail is also common within the work place. Caution must be used when emailing due to the monotone voice that it carries with the message. With e-mail, things can easily be taken out of context if they are not written in a clear mannerism. The use of word processing has also been quite beneficial to the legal profession. Considering that attorneys primarily write contracts, decrees and other legal documents, the use of precision communication is indispensable. Attorneys must be frank and to the point while maintaining the utmost professionalism.

In summary, all of the skills that enable the attorney to do their job correctly are essential to effective communication in the workplace. Attorneys deal with people by representing them, whether it is a whole corporation, the government (local or federal), or a private party. Although effective communication is not limited to those in the legal profession, it is important for all people to convey their messages without confusion.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/31693/the_importance_of_effective_communication_pg2.html?cat=17

Have Fluent Communication Within Lawyer Firm

Communication in the workplace must be fluent when trying to maximize efficiency and productivity. Minimizing simple errors that could occur while communicating will help everyone stay on the same page. Not only is sending and receiving messages important within the firm's office, but between clients as well. Offering clients frequent, thorough and direct information will allow everyone to head for goals in the same direction. Working effectively with others and practicing exceptional communication skills are only some of the factors that play a role in the success of a law firm.

Seven Core Skills and Values to Become a Lawyer

There are approximately seven skills and values that need to be part of a lawyer every time they are on a case. These skills and values are very important to have. Not only does a lawyer need to have them, but anyone who works in a field that deals with people and professionals needs to have them. These are important because they will show how professional one will look in front of the judge as well as their own clients.

Problem Solving Skills
One should engage in critical thinking about important issues, challenge beliefs and improve open mindedness for hesitation. When one is taking classes for legal studies, one will need to evaluate arguments for and against propositions to debates. Problem solving skills for lawyers are really not much different than those of ones who are employed by other professional jobs today. Being in law school will give one the experience and it will help develop these skills.

Reading Abilities
When it comes to reading, everyone needs to know the critical on reading. Lawyers have to cover all kinds of text materials and need to comprehend all of the documents, judicial opinions, and other written materials that may appear. All of the reading abilities should of been taught before coming to law school; therefore, it will not be a new thing that needs to be learned. Reading should come natural when it comes to very important professions.

Writing Skills
"Language is the most important tool of a lawyer, and lawyers must learn to express themselves clearly and concisely. Legal education will provide you with good training in writing, and particularly in the specific techniques and forms of written expression that are common in the law. Fundamental writing skills, however, must be acquired and refined before one enter law school."

Listening Abilities and Oral Communication
"The ability to speak clearly and persuasively is another skill that is essential to ones success in law. One must also have excellent listening skills to understand their clients and others with whom they will interact with daily. As with writing skills, legal education provides excellent opportunities for refining oral communication skills, and particularly for practicing the forms and techniques of oral expression that are most common in the practice of law."

Research Skills
There are many research sources and techniques that are specific to the law. While going to law school, one will experience of doing many projects that require a huge amount of library search and large amounts of analysing information. By searching all of this information it will help one become more aware and easily done.

Organization and Management Skills
One needs to be able to organize large amounts of information and create structural information to achieve desired outcomes. To prepare all of the information, it needs to be done in an effective and efficient manner. Practicing organizational skill will always help the outcome of the lawyers ability.

Values of Serving Others and Promoting Justice
"Each member of the legal profession should be dedicated both to the objectives of serving others honestly, competently, and responsibly, and to the goals of improving fairness and the quality of justice in the legal system. Participation in public service projects or similar efforts at achieving objectives established for common purposes can be particularly helpful."

All of these skills and values on becoming a lawyer as well as being one will help in each and every case. The most important one is the writing skills. By having writing skills it will show how professional the lawyer is. The other ones are also important for lawyers because it will smooth the process of winning in a professional manner.

http://www.abanet.org/legaled/prelaw/prep.html

Identify Your Audience

As seen in the above cartoon strip, it is very important to identify your audience before trying to communicate to them. You have to think of your topic from the audience's point of view. Ask yourself questions like "How much does my audience know?" this way you can easily communicate to them on their level using the same language. Identifying your audience is important because you can't talk to a client using the same technical terms as you would with another lawyer.