Tips for Lawyers Podcast

We all want to do the job properly and comprehensively, but at what point should you draw the line when it comes to chasing down the answer to every thought you have in a given task?

It's a common issue for young lawyers - it just seems like everything takes much longer than it "should". So how can we be working towards more efficiency in our practice?

In "legal writing" (whatever that means) should we be using contractions? Some seem to be firmly against, and others much more casual about it all.

Many young lawyers come out of law school with a lot of knowledge and the ability to put together a sound legal opinion on a given topic.But when it comes to communicating that to the client... it all goes to hell in a handbasket.

During law school you developed some tactics, habits and strategies designed to work within the system and maximise your results. Some of them aren't going to translate well into legal practice. Listen to find out more!

Should you take advice from people who haven't themselves thrived in the legal profession?

I get it – bad things do happen in a legal career, and there are certainly some aspects that need “fixing”. But the truth is, even if we fix everything we can, a legal career is still going to be challenging at intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels. So if you’re not up for that, or […]

Your letters are too long. Time to fix it. Your letters are too long. Time to fix it.

And, more importantly, does it have to be that way? By applying a simple change in the way you perceive your decisions, you can start to ensure that you are working towards being a more valuable contributor to your firm every day. And, more importantly, does it have to be that way? By applying a […]

Audience, Purpose, Tone and Brevity – you’ve heard me say it before, and you probably will again. These are the key elements of excellent legal drafting. So how can we ensure that the purpose of our legal drafting is well defined, and that what we produce achieves that purpose? Let’s chat about that in this […]

Legal drafting isn’t just a way of throwing clever words on a page in a particular order. It’s about the right words, for the right situation, to achieve the desired purpose for the recipient. And a big part of that involves getting the right tone in your communication – if every piece of correspondence you […]

As lawyers we’re busy a lot, and some lawyers declare their busy-ness even when they’re not. But for young lawyers the first time they experience a period of relatively low workload can actually be a bit daunting. What should you be doing with that time if nobody has any work to give you? Do you […]

It’s 100% guaranteed to happen – you hit “that point” where you start wondering whether this is all that a legal career has to offer. The question is: what are you going to do with that feeling? It’s 100% guaranteed to happen – you hit “that point” where you start wondering whether this is all […]

Many young lawyers aspire to start their own firm. But beyond finances, business, marketing and legal knowledge there is one big question you need to tackle before you make the decision. Let’s talk about that. Many young lawyers aspire to start their own firm. But beyond finances, business, marketing and legal knowledge there is one […]

With all the advice, information and help available for young lawyers, it would be easy to try and suck up everything like an enormous sponge. I’m not totally convinced that’s a good idea. With all the advice, information and help available for young lawyers, it would be easy to try and suck up everything like […]

We need to be clear about something – we don’t work in a justice system, we work in a legal system. There are a few reasons I want to make that distinction… which you’ll find out in this episode.We need to be clear about something – we don’t work in a justice system, we work […]

Falling into a rut isn’t always a bad thing, unless you don’t know you’re in it. In this episode I talk about how you can decide if the rut is right for you, and some tips to help avoid a path leading to frustration and despair in your legal career.Falling into a rut isn’t always […]

With 30 days of legal skills in a row it would be easy to get overwhelmed by a massive “to do” list of things that you need to achieve instantly. But think back to where we started – that’s not how it works. In this last lesson for the series we talk about how to […]

Yes. Yes you can. But you probably want more details than that, right?Yes. Yes you can. But you probably want more details than that, right?

In this episode we’re going to have a chat about one of the things that clients hate the most – and yet, it’s one of the most common practises among lawyers. Mostly because we’re afraid of dealing with it.In this episode we’re going to have a chat about one of the things that clients hate […]

Much of what we do as lawyers involves managing expectations – both in terms of what assumptions are made, what’s communicated, and how we go about delivering on what’s been promised. And it’s not that easy.  Much of what we do as lawyers involves managing expectations – both in terms of what assumptions are made, […]

While clients might be the point, we also need to ensure that the role of our clients stays in perspective. We serve, and we serve to the best of our abilities. But there are times when clients shouldn’t really be at the top of your list.While clients might be the point, we also need to […]

I don’t count people as “skills” but let’s face it – clients are really the whole point of this legal career you’ve chosen, right?I don’t count people as “skills” but let’s face it – clients are really the whole point of this legal career you’ve chosen, right?

It can be hard to think that you’ve had a good year, unless you actually take the time to jot down the ways you’ve improved and your successes over time. You might be surprised to see just how far you’ve come.It can be hard to think that you’ve had a good year, unless you actually […]

Even as a young lawyer there are some very simple strategies you can use to help the business along… and hopefully stand out as a real contributor in the meantime.Even as a young lawyer there are some very simple strategies you can use to help the business along… and hopefully stand out as a real […]

Once you know what the levers are, you need to know how they work together. Otherwise you end up spoiling your meal.  Once you know what the levers are, you need to know how they work together. Otherwise you end up spoiling your meal.  

We’ve already touched the surface of law firms making money, and now we’re going to look at the pieces.  We’ve already touched the surface of law firms making money, and now we’re going to look at the pieces.  

Even if you’re going to work a community services firm, you still need to understand the commercial impact of every decision you make. We’re going to skim the surface a bit of some core business concepts around how law firms actually make (or don’t) money.    Even if you’re going to work a community services […]

This is where a lot of lawyers get confused. They feel like the only value they have to offer is with their legal skills, and they don’t want to use those outside the context of a client relationship. But there are a tonne of ways you can add value. You just need to turn your […]

We’ve gone to the trouble of figuring out who your clients are… and now we need to find them. No it’s not a trick – you literally need to hunt down the places where your clients hang out. Find out how in this episode.We’ve gone to the trouble of figuring out who your clients are… […]

Answer: probably anyway who will take you. But that’s not an ideal strategy to adopt when it comes to most forms of relationship building. So let’s take a moment and figure out who it is that we actually want to act for.  Answer: probably anyway who will take you. But that’s not an ideal strategy […]

LinkedIn isn’t a marketing strategy. Nor is Twitter, nor are networking events. These things are tools that you use, but not strategies to achieve goals. Let’s talk about the difference between principles, strategies and and tools… and why you should care.LinkedIn isn’t a marketing strategy. Nor is Twitter, nor are networking events. These things are […]

If the word “marketing” sends shivers down your spine, then I understand. But perhaps it’s because you think of marketing as this big, bad thing that you have to do. Instead – what if you just changed your point of view about what it really means?If the word “marketing” sends shivers down your spine, then […]

There is a time for writing things, of course. But there’s a time when putting things in writing is inferior to just picking up the phone. Yes. Seriously.  There is a time for writing things, of course. But there’s a time when putting things in writing is inferior to just picking up the phone. Yes. […]

If you want to write something, then consider this critical aspects is going to help you no matter what it is you’re trying to write.If you want to write something, then consider this critical aspects is going to help you no matter what it is you’re trying to write.

It would be easy to think that everything is about how we express ourselves. But sometimes the most powerful parts of communication are the aspects of listening.It would be easy to think that everything is about how we express ourselves. But sometimes the most powerful parts of communication are the aspects of listening.

Law school hasn’t done you any favours when it comes to writing properly. And while that might not be deliberate, it’s certainly tangible and it’s important to fix. Let’s get started on that right away.Law school hasn’t done you any favours when it comes to writing properly. And while that might not be deliberate, it’s […]

Of course, communication is communication – if you master it as a lawyer, then you’ll probably be good at it across the board. But because so much of our job hinges upon our ability to communicate well… it’s pretty important.Of course, communication is communication – if you master it as a lawyer, then you’ll probably […]

None of us like performance reviews very much. But at the very least we can hope to use them to best advantage.None of us like performance reviews very much. But at the very least we can hope to use them to best advantage.

These are some of the most important characteristics of a lawyer – productivity and focus. If you can’t get these nailed down, then many things will elude you.  These are some of the most important characteristics of a lawyer – productivity and focus. If you can’t get these nailed down, then many things will elude […]

Then you need to embrace the fact that your awesomeness involves a series of little steps. Every. Single. Day. The ability to develop good habits can’t be underestimated – master it, and you master everything.Then you need to embrace the fact that your awesomeness involves a series of little steps. Every. Single. Day. The ability […]

There are three types of professional – losers, cruisers and dynamos… Which are you?There are three types of professional – losers, cruisers and dynamos… Which are you?

If we’re going to do a massive series on legal skills, then we can’t simply avoid the most basic skill: looking after yourself.If we’re going to do a massive series on legal skills, then we can’t simply avoid the most basic skill: looking after yourself.

You’ve gotta start somewhere, and this is the best place to do it – personal, professional, growth.You’ve gotta start somewhere, and this is the best place to do it – personal, professional, growth.

If pressed, I can lump pretty much anything into one of these four areas – and you can too!  Focus on these basic foundations and you’ll be well placed moving into the future.  If pressed, I can lump pretty much anything into one of these four areas – and you can too!  Focus on these […]

If you’re going to commit to developing your legal skills, then you need to appreciate the best way to go about it. If you’re going to approach it like trying to deadlift 300Kg on your first attempt – you’re going to fail.If you’re going to commit to developing your legal skills, then you need to […]

It would be easy to convince ourselves that lawyers just need to know laws, statues and cases right? But it’s far from the truth. And, for most young lawyers, focusing on simply learning more law is probably a bad idea.It would be easy to convince ourselves that lawyers just need to know laws, statues and […]

If you’ve been around for long here, you know that it’s all about legal skills. Time to up the ante – we’re going for 30 skills in 30 days. Each day an actionable tip, hint or some homework to build your legal skills significantly across a month. Are you going to play along?If you’ve been […]

How do you view your opportunities for continuing legal education? As a necessary evil? Or as an amazing chance to do something better? Let’s chat about the attitude we have to learning, and how we might make the most of the chances we have.How do you view your opportunities for continuing legal education? As a […]

You’ve got a large job that’s made up of lots of different pieces. If you listened to the last episode then you know how to figure out what to do. The next question is: when do you do each thing? That’s what we’ll find out in this episode!You’ve got a large job that’s made up […]

If the task you’ve been given is more complicated than you’ve done before, or perhaps in a novel area, then it can get a bit overwhelming trying to come up with the right solution to the issue. However, much like building a house, larger tasks are almost always just made up of a series of […]