Indiana Supreme Court justices do not campaign for retention, but if there is organized opposition to retention they are permitted to respond. Rarely have we seen organized opposition, but this year we have it.
I encourage all of you who are bar leaders to revive discussions and initiatives within your bar associations and civic groups about judicial independence.
I can honestly say that any small measure of professional success that I have enjoyed, I owe to bar association involvement. I can also say that most, if not all, of the lawyers who I respect the most are or have been bar association leaders.
The overwhelming conclusion has been that lawyers, as a group, do a terrible job of retirement planning.
At a recent bar association meeting in Philadelphia, a very wise bar leader asked his audience, “How many of you understand the difference between ‘have to’ and ‘get to’?” None of us raised our hands.
The issue of remote work remains an issue, but after more than a year of remote work, some answers have materialized, and now a number of other concerns have surfaced about the future of our profession.
Everyone must accept the fact that all businesses, and particularly law firms, are under constant assault from attackers.
I recently sat down with Cory and Mitch Sprunger to learn more about the business model they have created in SprungerPEO.
Small and solo law firm attorneys face many challenges, including competition, incorporating new technology, marketing and business development, professional development, overhead and cost control succession planning and retirement and work-life balance.
This time of year, I like to bring a little spring cleaning to my law practice, and I want to urge you to do the same.
I have friends and acquaintances in the bar and the judiciary who have expressed concern that the polarization of our society has begun to spill over into how lawyers and their clients behave in litigation.
So how was your year? Did you help anyone in a meaningful way? Did you advance the reputation of our profession? Did you serve a role in a bar association? Did you renew any friendships or make any new ones? Did you mentor a new lawyer? Were you a good partner, co-worker, boss, friend, spouse, companion, parent or child?
During 2022, I have had the pleasure of attending several in-person bar association meetings, and one word can describe the mood of myself and those in attendance. That word is joy.
On Aug. 31, Justice Steven David, a genuine friend of the legal profession and our system of justice, retired from the Indiana Supreme Court. As he departed, he encouraged everyone to “do a little bit more for other people.”
At the end of this month, I will be speaking on the topic of “A Virtual Quagmire: Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Remote Work in a Post-COVID World” at the annual meeting of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel. My research and investigation into that topic prompted me to share some of what I have learned in this column.
It was very clear that IndyBar members were ready to get back together once again in person. A record 400 lawyers, judges and guests attended the Bench Bar Conference (presented by Wilson Kehoe Winingham) and inaugural In-House Counsel CLE Getaway (presented by Quarles & Brady LLP) from June 16-18 at the Omni Hotel in Louisville.
As I write this column, there are multiple signs of trouble brewing in our judicial system.
Indianapolis lawyer John Trimble revisits a 1993 article about improving lawyers’ lives to determined what has changed — and what hasn’t.
In recent years I have published some New Year’s resolutions in my first column of the year, and many of you have contacted me to share feedback about my suggestions. In light of the positive responses, I am going to do the same this year. However, instead of calling them “resolutions,” let’s call them “aspirational goals.”
As 2021 draws to a close, lawyers and law firm managers everywhere are planning for the year ahead. Smart firms are preparing budgets and income projections for 2022, and they are assessing their client relationships in the hopes of maintaining those relationships next year.