I have repeatedly advised potential clients to find lawyers who have the experience and resources that are needed to accomplish the client's goals.

While different kinds of lawyers require different kinds of resources to be effective, for many lawyers those resources include fairly modern computer hardware and software.

A lawyer doesn't have to be a computer geek; in fact, many of the best lawyers I know aren't very tech savvy. Thus, it can be misleading to evaluate individual lawyers by how techie they are. But it does make sense to evaluate a law firm's computer hardware and software resources. Often the most tech-savvy people in law firms are non-attorneys such as secretaries and paralegals. And larger law firms generally have an in-house IT department. Most law firms don't require cutting-edge hardware or software. When you are evaluating law firms, don't automatically select the one with the newest machines.

You should, however, beware of firms with the oldest computers and very old versions of software. Thus, you should ask what software your prospective lawyer uses to send email and generate documents. Make sure that they are compatible wiith your computers. Too often, the failure to update computer hardware and software is a red flag. It may be a symptom of poor cash flow.

Most importantly, keeping up with technology doesn't come naturally for many lawyers. It requires decent management practices for small law firms to maintain reasonably up-to-date IT systems. Ancient machines may be a sign that a lawyer has poor management skills. And that's something you want to avoid when you hire and work with a lawyer.

Posted by Gideon on 07/15 at 10:01 AM
Categories: Business Acumen of Lawyers | Categories: Hiring A Lawyer | Permalink

Clients often underestimate just how inexperienced and unskilled many lawyers are when it comes to running a business. I've been aware of this deficiency for many years, but even I am occasionally surprised by how inept some lawyers are as business people.

A recent story brought this point home. It was told to me by someone who is looking to work at a law firm. He responded to a position that was posted online and was quickly contacted by the office manager. The interview went well and the office manager wanted to have the applicant meet the firm's top lawyer. This is where things took a strange turn.

The lawyer wanted the first interview to take place at the attorney's home. In addition, the lawyer wanted the applicant to perform personal errands such as walking the lawyer's dogs.

Needless to say the applicant wasn't too impressed; even in this economy asking professionals to run one's personal errands is a sure way to attract only the most desperate and mediocre of employees.

This story is, of course, extreme. Most lawyers wouldn't dream of asking a job applicant to walk their dogs. But there is a deeper lesson for  clients.  Don't assume. Specifically, don't assume that someone who has a law degree knows anything about how to organize their time, manage people, or do any of the other things that are required to run an effective modern law office.

Posted by Gideon on 07/12 at 09:44 AM
Categories: Business Acumen of Lawyers | Categories: How To Work With Your Lawyer | Permalink