“Singular.” In almost every article chronicling Whitney Houston’s sudden death, that’s the word being used to describe her talent. And it couldn’t be a more accurate choice. While Whitney Houston’s talent was singular, it looks like the value of her estate will follow a pretty common pattern. In the hours and days after her death, sales […]

We were not expecting that tornado that went through our community at 4:00am Eastern a few weeks ago, destroying many homes, small businesses, corporate business facilities, even a Wells Fargo Bank blew off in to the sunrise. Regardless of where you live and work the next disaster is just around the corner, whether it be […]

But Mom, all my friends are doing it! Generation after generation, it’s the argument that’s guaranteed to fail. And the ironclad response? “If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you follow them?” From the time we enter school, our parents try to teach us not to follow the crowd. As lawyers, we’re trained […]

The internet offers unprecedented ways for us to communicate and connect with clients and potential clients. But it can also be a treacherous place, offering a veil of anonymity that can let dissatisfied clients post negative comments and reviews they’d hesitate to tell us in person. So, short of filing a lawsuit, how can law […]

Is your revenue per attorney at least $500,000 for 2011? I’m just beginning the annual review of Academy financials in preparation for our big Spring Summit closed-door meeting. All Members who submit their financials have a closed door meeting and look at all the other estate planning law firm financials and have a valuable discussion. […]

Too often, attorneys work on the wrong tasks day in and day out. Particularly law firm owners. With so many important issues competing for our attention, the tendency is to be in the trenches, working on the low value items while neglecting the high value opportunities. If you suspect you might be falling into this […]

What would you do if an anonymous commenter left your firm a less-than-flattering online review? The Lenahan Law Firm, a personal injury firm near Dallas, Texas is garnering national attention for its response to this very situation. The story, covered in Texas Lawyer and picked up by the ABA Journal, centers around a negative Google […]

What would more likely get your clients to make pre-need funeral plans: a real life tragedy or a light romantic comedy? Consider these two approaches. The family of Josh Powell, the man who killed his two sons in an explosive house fire in Washington state, recently said he will not be buried in the same […]

In his last blog, Robert Armstrong talked a little bit about the haphazard way most legal practices approach their marketing activities. This is a shame, since marketing truly is the lifeblood of any business, and law firms are no exception. What if your marketing system needs an overhaul? The following five-step system can make an […]

You’re probably familiar with Groupon. It’s a daily deal website where businesses offer discounted gift certificates to customers. If enough customers opt in, the day’s featured deal becomes available to everyone; if a predetermined quota is not sold, no one gets the gift certificate that day. Groupon makes money by taking its cut from the […]