Brian Tannebaum

Malpractice

The Practice: Do You or Your Client Understand the Scope of Representation? (Part I)

Be forewarned: Brian Tannebaum is citing case law here, so if that scares you, stop reading now. There are two things lawyers are doing wrong when it comes to scope of representation, as in, “What is your obligation to this client?” The failure to comprehend this critical concept begins when you are retained, and rears its head again when the representation is over. So let’s talk about the dumbass things you are doing to complicate your life, and how to fix them....

By Brian Tannebaum
Money

The Practice: How Much Money Can You Make at a Small Law Firm?

Brian Tannebaum knows when you call him, when you come to his office to discuss the “possibility of leaving,” that it’s the only thing on your mind. Sure, you want your name on the door, more freedom, more client contact. But you just have one real question. One real fear. One real concern. One thing you need to convince your better half of before you make “the jump.” Can I make the same Biglaw money at a small firm? Here’s the answer....

By Brian Tannebaum
Practice Pointers

The Practice: Who’s the Idiot That Invented Three Name Referrals?

Brian Tannebaum want to know when lawyers will stop using opportunities to give referrals as a panicked strategy of covering their asses. You know what he's talking about -- the “three names” idiocy? He knows, you were taught this. You never give one name. Why? Because what if it doesn’t work out? Then you’re going to have some sort of imagined problem that someone told you could be very, very bad....

By Brian Tannebaum
Practice Pointers

The Practice: Goal Setting – Non-Billable Hour Edition

If you’re a lawyer, and some of you that read this are, you know it’s time to start trying to convince yourself that you’re going to do wonderful things “next year.” Advice is readily available on the internet about the proper way to set goals, but as usual, Brian Tannebaum is here to help you ignore all of that. Here is his surefire way to have a great 2012 as a lawyer....

By Brian Tannebaum
Small Law Firms

The Practice: Enough with the Worthless Networking

There are two types of lawyers: Those that “don’t do networking,” and those that do it because it is required to establish a word of mouth practice. For those that want the word of mouth practice, and the reputation in the community as a go-to person (assuming you are a competent lawyer, and these days, that’s a big assumption), here are some things to consider....

By Brian Tannebaum
Bonuses

The Practice: BREAKING NEWS — There Is No Breaking Small Firm/Solo Bonus News

The Small Firm bonus memos are out and it appears that many are happy to have some extra coin to make a few car payments, and buy a new suit or two for when they have to go to court and conduct real business. If you are just googly-eyed at the notion of a $37,500 bonus given to a Biglaw ingrate, and let’s face it, if you are a small firm lawyer, you are, here are some ways you can turn that frown upside down thanks to Brian Tannebaum....

By Brian Tannebaum
Facebook

The Practice: The Definitive (All You Need To Know) Guide (This Is It) To Social Media For Lawyers

Sorry to disappoint the snake-oil salesmen, but in this small post Brian Tannebaum will buck the trend, and debunk the fallacy of non-practicing lawyers who write books about social media for lawyers. Here, today my friends, he will tell you everything you need to know about the complicated and scary topic of: how to talk to people on the internet like a normal person....

By Brian Tannebaum