Sometimes, making choices is difficult, either because we have insufficient information or because we don’t want to have to choose between competing interests. Estate planning is one of those situations in which failing to make a choice can result in unintended, negative consequences.
On May 11, IndyBar members and friends gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of our community’s beloved paralegals at the annual Paralegal Appreciation Luncheon.
When it comes to marketing content, most lawyers are concerned about what to write. But in reality, the more important question is how to write.
The last two years have proven to be a unique challenge for the legal profession, especially young lawyers. It was an arduous time to learn the ins and outs of practicing law, but due to the flexibility and success of remote work, it appears at least some aspects of virtual meetings and events are here to stay.
Let’s talk about decorum in the courtroom.
The 2022 IndyBar Bench Bar Conference will once again showcase both legal education and an opportunity for fun and networking! Saturday’s closing plenary session will be the second annual Juneteenth holiday Celebration: The Spirit of Our Journey.
I encourage my clients to plan for the future when it comes to their money and property by creating, and then occasionally updating, their estate plans. But often, clients have a “one and done” philosophy and don’t think they need to update their documents.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita shares his opinion on how Indiana’s economy can prosper moving forward.
The daily grind of small firm management ranges from routine to immensely stressful. By returning to bigger picture ideas, I constantly find the practice of law both challenging and rewarding.
The Indianapolis Bar Association has selected 21 emerging attorney leaders to participate in its Bar Leader Series.
Being a good lawyer is not always synonymous with being the most professionally detached lawyer; empathy and motivation also matter.
Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Robert Hammerle gives us his take on “The Northman” and revisits two of his favorite classic films.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.