How To Win Friends and Influence People at the Law Firm
I have always meant to read “How To Win Friends” (“HTWF”), but never did it. So this weekend I purchased an e-book copy of it and began. It’s interesting, because going through some seminars on business and reading self-help books in the past, I can really see the connection between the grandfather and the grandchildren. HTWF states that for people, as Freud said it, they do things for sex or to feel important. In the business context, both are motivators, but mostly everyone wants to feel appreciated and important. Even the most successful person is wooed by a sincere compliment. I can remember the compliments I have received in my life, some of them from 20 years ago, because I treasured them so. Everyone is like this, and wants only to be appreciated and held up as important. HTWF in a nutshell, at least what I have gathered from the first 100 pages, is that focusing on what others want, and making them feel important, will reap large rewards when it comes to making friends and influencing people.
In the law firm, I can see how the principles of HTWF can be extremely valuable. I have witnessed some very abusive lawyers and managers at law firms, and I believe many people in this field feel that instilling fear in the workers is the best motivation. However, the environment is toxic, and who wants to work in such an environment? Not I. My first job out of law school was at a large personal injury firm. It was a regular occurrence at that firm for everyone’s jobs to be threatened. Office meetings typically included a phrase such as, “If you don’t do
I believe that the HTWF approach to management is a better choice. Not only does it create a better environment to work in, where you focus on employee triumphs instead of failures, but it will reap more business. The clients will sense what type of firm it is, and the employees will be more than happy to refer their friends and loved ones. Relationships will be established and more profit will come of it.
As HTWF states, the average person criticizes and condemns. It takes discipline, intelligence, and restraint to hold back criticism and instead motivate others through praise and sincere interest in them.
Technology In The Law Office
I will be making more blog posts on Technology in the Law Office in the future. It is a special interest of mine, and with my computer and networking background, I can relay my knowledge to those in the market for new software for their law offices.
In my presentation, I covered several pieces of software, and also methods for keeping your solo practice organized. The presentation was broken up into three methods of implementing software in your new solo practice: 1) The simple and least expensive option, 2) The typical and most popular option, and 3) The advanced option.
In the simple option, I recommend using applications that every one already has on their computer. This is Microsoft Office or Apache Open Office, the latter of which is free to download at www.openoffice.org. If you have a computer, you can run the first simple option. It includes creating a “central brain” for each and every case using a Word file. This will contain all information on the case and will be a quick reference for the attorney and staff while working on the matter. The second is an action list, which will guide the attorney’s work in the matter. The third is a to do list, or in reality, many to do lists. There is also information provided on doing the most basic of billing operations in a solo practice. See the PowerPoint slides and my presentation for more details and information.
The intermediate or popular setup is what most new attorneys today will start out with. It includes using the cloud-based practice management software available; the forerunners are Clio, MyCase, and Rocket Matter. I also recommend using Dropbox, Evernote, and Quickbooks Online when first starting. I give a detailed review of each piece of software in my presentation, so check it out.
The advanced setup is what I am currently using in my office. I use Time Matters, but this also applies to software such as Needles, Abacus, Credenza, and the other PC based practice management software pieces. I like Time Matters because it has high customization options. However, I generally do not recommend it for new attorneys that do not have a PC and computer background. Time Matters is robust, however it is quite notorious for its bugs and tendency to crash. I am able to handle its mood swings due to my experience with PCs, but those without experience could suffer massive downtime on any given day. I use Time Matters basic billing because it suits my needs. But Sage Timeslips is the gold standard in billing software for the large firm. Those who desire a “paperless” office must choose from software such as Time Matters because of the robust document management options.
As always, please contact me if you have any questions or need advice on going out on your own.
How Much is a Personal Injury Case Worth?
In a personal injury case, money damages are paid to an injured person (the plaintiff) by the person or company who is found to be legally responsible for the accident (the defendant or their insurer). A damage award can be agreed upon after a negotiated settlement — among the parties, their insurance companies, and their attorneys, for example — or may be ordered by a judge or jury following a court trial.
Below you’ll find an explanation of the different kinds of damages that are common in many personal injury cases and how a personal injury damages award can be affected by the plaintiff’s action (or inaction).
Compensatory Damages in Personal Injury Cases
Most personal injury damages are classified as “compensatory,” meaning that they are intended to compensate the injured plaintiff for what was lost due to the accident or injury. A compensatory damages award is meant to make the injured plaintiff “whole” again from a monetary standpoint (to the extent that’s possible). This means trying to put a dollar figure on all the consequences of an accident. Some compensatory damages are relatively easy to quantify — like reimbursement for property damage and medical bills. But it’s harder to place a monetary value on pain and suffering or the inability to enjoy hobbies because of physical limitations caused by lingering accident-related injuries.
Here’s a rundown of the different types of compensatory damages that are common in many personal injury cases.
Medical treatment. A personal injury damages award almost always includes the cost of medical care associated with the accident — reimbursement for treatment you’ve already received and compensation for the estimated cost of medical care you’ll need in the future because of the accident.
Income. You may be entitled to compensation for the accident’s impact on your salary and wages — not just income you’ve already lost but also the money you would have been able to make in the future, were it not for the accident. In personal injury legalese, a damage award based on future income is characterized as compensation for an accident victim’s “loss of earning capacity.”
Property loss. If any vehicles, clothing, or other items were damaged as a result of the accident, you’ll likely be entitled to reimbursement for repairs or compensation for the fair market value of the property that was lost.
Pain and suffering. You may be entitled to get compensation for pain and serious discomfort you suffered during the accident and in its immediate aftermath — also for any ongoing pain that can be attributed to the accident.
Emotional distress. Usually linked to more serious accidents, emotional distress damages are meant to compensate a personal injury plaintiff for the psychological impact of an injury — including fear, anxiety, and sleep loss. Some states consider emotional distress as part of any “pain and suffering” damage that is awarded to a personal injury plaintiff.
Loss of enjoyment. When injuries caused by an accident keep you from enjoying day-to-day pursuits like hobbies, exercise, and other recreational activities, you may be entitled to receive “loss of enjoyment” damages.
Loss of consortium. In personal injury cases, “loss of consortium” damages typically relate to the impact the injuries have on the plaintiff’s relationship with their spouse — the loss of companionship or the inability to maintain a sexual relationship, for example. Some states also consider the separate impact on the relationship between a parent and their child when one is injured. In some cases, loss of consortium damages are awarded directly to the affected family member rather than to the injured plaintiff.
What To Do Directly After A Car Accident
It is inevitable that car accidents happen. Even with proper safety precautions, accidents happen daily. With hope, they won’t include you or a loved one, but they are, however, accidents. And the worst part is that they’re unpredictable.
While no one expects to be in an accident, it’s important to be prepared in the event that one occurs.
The following is an important list of steps to follow immediately after being involved in a motor vehicle accident:
STAY WHERE YOU ARE. State law requires that you not leave the scene of an accident.
TAKE NECESSARY SAFETY MEASURES. Use flags, flares, etc to make yourself visible to other drivers and prevent further accidents.
SEEK PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION. Make sure that any and all injured parties receive medical attention right away. If you have any symptoms, be sure to call for an ambulance and paramedics immediately. Not only will quickly seeking help protect your health, it will help to document the injury.
ALERT THE AUTHORITIES. Contact the State, local or city police immediately after an accident. Give law enforcement officials the facts but do not admit responsibility.
IDENTIFY OTHER DRIVER. Be sure to take note of the name, address, phone number and insurance information of the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. Once you have identified the other driver, verify that their license in current and that the registration number matches the license plate number on the vehicle.
GET INFORMATION FROM WITNESSES. Obtain the names, addresses, phone numbers and comments/statements from all people who saw the accident occur.
DOCUMENT DETAILS OF INCIDENT. Take note of the weather, road and lighting conditions at the time of the accident. Also be sure to record the time that the accident occurred and measure the length of the skidmarks/draw a diagram of the scene.
KEEP A RECORD OF INJURIES. Take photos of any bodily injuries and vehicle damage. Make a note of all related details. Take as many pictures as possible from varying angles and distances to capture the accident scene, damage to cars, nearby road signs and landmarks, skid marks, debris in the road, and all other pertinent evidence. Keeping a disposable camera in your glove compartment is also a good idea.
CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND SEEK LEGAL REPRESENTATION. Be sure to do this in a timely manner after a motor vehicle accident as delay may affect your rights and your adequate access to justice.
Car accidents are often unavoidable and can be devastating. Each and every day, Mainers suffer personal injuries in serious motor vehicle accidents. When an unexpected accident occurs, it can strike anyone. By following the aforementioned guidelines you will be prepared and informed of what to do in the event of a car accident.
10 Tips BEFORE you get a DUI
10 Tips BEFORE you get a DUI:
1. Don’t answer any questions, other than name and address.
2. Don’t answer questions about drinking.
3. Don’t perform any roadside tests.
4. Don’t agree to have your eyes tested.
5. Don’t agree to blow into a handheld breath tester.
6. Do request to contact your attorney immediately.
7. Do request privacy while you are calling your lawyer.
8. Do exercise your right to remain silent.
9. Do consent to a breath or blood test, if you are arrested for DUI and the officer reads you the implied consent affidavit. Failure to consent can result in a 12–month license suspension.
10. ALWAYS BE POLITE and produce requested documents.