DTCI: Learning to be less of a professional when necessary
Being a good lawyer is not always synonymous with being the most professionally detached lawyer; empathy and motivation also matter.
Opinion
Articles
Hammerle on… “The Northman” and revisiting “Harold and Maude” and “Dr. Strangelove”
Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Robert Hammerle gives us his take on “The Northman” and revisits two of his favorite classic films.
IndyBar: Indianapolis Bar Foundation Recognizes 2022 Fellows
The IndyBar Foundation expresses sincere gratitude to the 2022 Distinguished Fellows and Distinguished Life Fellows for their long and continuing support of our profession and community.
Applegate: How elder caregivers can take a guilt-free summer vacation
Often, caregivers can feel guilty about getting away while they have so much responsibility at home or find it impossible to imagine getting a break. Lots of questions can arise, such as who will take care of the loved ones, how they can continue receiving help, what happens if an emergency arises and more. But with so much day-to-day responsibility as a caregiver, it’s important to have time to refresh and avoid burnout.
IndyBar: Life Changes Often Bring Estate Plan Changes
There is, in fact, no shortage of life events that should invoke the idea of contacting an estate planning attorney to see if any changes are required to an individual’s estate plan.
Wilson: Plan for access of your digital assets with Legacy Contacts
Digital assets are an important part of estate planning. Planning includes ensuring that the appropriate people have access to the information at the right time. We have been made aware of these issues when dealing with cryptocurrencies, but what about all the subscription and social media services we all utilize now? It’s more important than ever to have a clear plan for accessing digital assets. This is one of those areas where technology clearly intersects with a specific area of the law.
Camper: Choosing the right clients as a solo practice or small firm
How to choose the right clients as a solo practice or small firm? This is the million-dollar question. If every law firm owner could answer this question perfectly, every attorney would be a million-dollar partner at a law firm. Not choosing the right clients could be No. 1 at destroying your practice or firm. Surprisingly, the topic, “How to choose the right clients” is a discussion that is uncommon among lawyers.
Huettner: Quick tips for starting and growing a law practice
Owning a business can be richly rewarding. Law firm owners can define the scope of their practice, pick a target market, set their own hours and enjoy the creativity involved in implementing a corporate vision. With technological advancements and a move to web-based work and communication in recent years, starting a law firm has become increasingly accessible for attorneys seeking the unique benefits of small business ownership.
Covington: An introvert’s conversations with Leadership in Law winners
While I had mentally prepared myself with things to say to this year’s Leadership in Law honorees to keep the conversations from lagging (because of me, not them) I was pleasantly surprised to find that the two days I spent chatting with this year’s winners as they recorded videos and had photos taken passed with surprising ease. Turns out, when you hang out with highly-accomplished individuals, you can find a lot to talk about naturally.
Wilson: Unique challenges facing solo and small firm attorneys
One of the great aspects of practicing law is the wide variety of ways to make it happen. Whether you are in-house counsel, legal services, a big firm associate, prosecutor, public defender, government lawyer, judge or a solo practitioner, the ways we as lawyers ensure access to, and the delivery of, justice are myriad. Although there are many common elements to each form of practice, there are challenges and opportunities that are unique to each, and the solo or small firm lawyer holds a special place in this cohort of practice options.
IndyBar: Guest Column: Better Together: An Indy Legal Alliance
The mission of Indy Legal Alliance is to promote and support a thriving, diverse, equitable and inclusive Indianapolis legal community that works together to support law students and lawyers and advance justice in the broader community.
Becker: Challenges in running a small firm during COVID
When you are a small firm, you become fully familiar with each person in the office, including knowing and caring about each person’s family. As such, the first and most important decisions during COVID were to protect the health of our staff and their families.
IndyBar: Community Justice Center Nomad Training at IndyBarHQ
The Indianapolis Bar Association and Nomad AV Systems will host training sessions at IndyBarHQ (140 N. Illinois St.) on Thursday, May 19, and Friday, May 20, for attorney members of the Indianapolis Bar Association, the Marion County Bar Association, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Indiana and support staff.
Hogue: Finding my ‘Hamburger University’: 5 nuggets I’ve learned
A friend of mine owns a McDonald’s and has told me that McDonald’s requires its franchise owners to complete a training program called “Hamburger University.” He explained that Hamburger University teaches the franchise owner about the “system” of McDonald’s. In some ways, launching my own firm has been like what I imagined about “Hamburger University.”
Maley: IN Northern District local rules changes you should know
The Northern District of Indiana approved amendments to five local rules effective Feb. 25, specifically to Local Rules 5-3, 6-1, 7-1, 7-6 and 56-1. Several of the amendments are significant and impact everyday federal civil practice.
IndyBar: Attend The Inaugural In-House CLE Getaway
The inaugural In-House Counsel CLE Getaway is June 16-18, 2022, in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Omni Hotel.
Geisler and Lueders: Effective communication key during major litigation
When working on major litigation, Steve Geisler and Dan Lueders agree that without effective communication, neither can do their job.
Broecker and Beraldi: 5 services outside counsel should be providing
The legal profession, particularly for in-house counsel, has not been immune from the “Great Resignation.”
Alford and Broadhead: Tips for creating, maintaining relationships between counsel
When it comes to creating a successful partnership with a client’s in-house lawyers, there is more to it than simply “doing good work.”
Bingaman: Indiana’s trailblazing ICLEO program sets tone for success
Indiana University Maurer School of Law student Kat Bingaman shares her experiences with the ICLEO program.