It’s not easy being a small-firm lawyer in 2019. Practicing law is stressful in and of itself, and the sense of feeling overwhelmed can sometimes multiply when coupled with the challenges of running a law firm. The rapid pace of technological change only complicates things further, making it harder than ever to keep up.
If this sounds familiar, rest assured, you’re not alone. There are lots of other lawyers who feel the same way. Fortunately there are books available that can help stay on top of your game. Last year, I shared a number of books written to help small-firm lawyers run more efficient law firms. Here are a few more books to add to the list.
Understanding Millennials
How Filevine Helps In-House Legal Teams Manage Every Matter With Confidence
AI powers tools for data intake, document management, and drafting contracts.
If your law firm is growing, you’ve no doubt hired a Millennial or two. If so, you may be struggling to understand your new hires. That’s where “What Millennial Lawyers Want” comes in. In this book, author Susan Smith Blakely explains what makes this generation tick and how managing law firm partners can change their outlook and embrace the many qualities that make Millennial employees a unique and valuable asset for law firms.
Law Firm Innovation
If you’re seeking ways to innovate and stand out in today’s increasingly crowded legal marketplace, but are finding that some lawyers in your firm are resisting change, then “Legal Upheaval: A Guide to Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation in the Law” is just what you need. In this book, author Michele DeStafano explains why the legal industry is in the middle of an unavoidable transformation, and why lawyers are so resistant to accepting this indisputable fact. She also provides ideas to help lawyers innovate in order to succeed in the new world order, and provides a framework for law firms to use in order to create a culture of creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
Law Firm Data Analytics
The Trump Gold Card: A New $1 Million Pathway To A U.S. Green Card
A new proposal would let wealthy foreign nationals secure an opportunity for a U.S. green card with a $1 million 'gift' to the government, sparking legal and ethical debate.
Next up, data analytics for law firms. Your law firm creates a ton of data. If you could just harness that data, imagine what you could do with it! If you’re not sure where to start, then buy a copy of Data-Driven Law: Data Analytics and the New Legal Services, a book edited by Fastcase’s CEO, Ed Walters. This book tackles data analytics in law firms from all angles, whether this is relatively new concept for you or if you’re looking for a deep dive into the intricacies of analyzing and measuring legal data.
Decision-making
Managing a small law firm is challenging, in part because you have to make decisions everyday that affect your firm’s bottom line. Sometimes you may second guess those decisions, which is only natural. After all, it’s never easy to make hard choices, but the more you know, the easier it becomes. One way to improve your decision-making is to read “Decisions that Matter,” a book that was just published this month. In this book, authors Roger Hayse, Andrew Jillson, and contributor Eric Fletcher explain the five phases of law firm life — formation, growth, sustainability, crisis, and closure. Throughout the book, you’ll hear from law firm leaders who share their experiences and choices made while running law firms of various sizes over the past 40 years. From those examples, you’ll learn about the fundamentals of making decisions that will steer your law firm towards a successful future.
Running a Family Law Firm
For those of you who have family law practices, How to Build and Manage a Family Law Practice, Second Edition, written by Mark Allan Chinn, should be right up your alley. In addition offering to lots of advice on the business of running a streamlined and efficient family law practice, you’ll also be provided with practical tips, techniques, forms, and checklists that will no doubt prove to be useful, whether you’re just starting out or have been practicing for years.
Tech Tips For Senior Lawyers
If you have senior lawyers in your law firm who are either resistant to technology or are struggling to keep up, make sure to invest in a copy of Technology Tips for Seniors, Volume 2.0, written by Ashley Hallene and Jeffrey M. Allen. In this book, senior lawyers will learn technology tips for the office, home, or road. This book includes a mobile device app guide and offers lots of other useful information that will help senior lawyers improve their productivity by learning about, understanding, and using technology.
Technology Guide For Small Law Firms
And speaking of technology, last, but not least, there’s the “The 2019 Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide,” written by Sharon D. Nelson, John W. Simek, and Michael C. Maschke. Lawyers are already incredibly busy running their law practices, representing their clients, and staying on top of changes in their practice areas. Given all of their other obligations, learning about technology often seems like an insurmountable task. That’s where this book, which is updated and revised annually, comes in. It helps lawyers sift through their technology choices, which range from hardware options to legal software tools designed to simplify the lives of solo and small-firm lawyers.
So there you have it! A great list of books that will provide you with all you need to know to run a successful small law firm in 2019. Buy a few and read them on the beach this summer. You won’t regret it.
Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York attorney and the Legal Technology Evangelist at MyCase, web-based law practice management software. She’s been blogging since 2005, has written a weekly column for the Daily Record since 2007, is the author of Cloud Computing for Lawyers, co-authors Social Media for Lawyers: the Next Frontier, and co-authors Criminal Law in New York. She’s easily distracted by the potential of bright and shiny tech gadgets, along with good food and wine. You can follow her on Twitter @nikiblack and she can be reached at [email protected].