Ahead of the Curve
September 2020
PURPOSE
The Professional Development Advisory Committee’s (PDAC) purpose in providing you this communication is to further its goal of periodically sharing topical information regarding the legal industry. Our hope is that one or more of the updates will provide a spark of insight to assist with your work on behalf of ALA as well as within your firm or legal department.
Past Issues
"5 REASONS YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE"
It’s worth remembering that getting out of your comfort zone doesn’t have to be a radical act. Maybe you challenge yourself to speak up in a meeting that you normally find intimidating or invite a new neighbor to go on a walk. Then, you can gradually push yourself to take on bigger (strategic) risks. Here are five reasons it’s good to try to get out of your comfort zone.
Learn more.
Resource: Harvey Deutschendorf, Fast Company
"HOW TO (ACTUALLY) SAVE TIME WHEN YOU’RE WORKING REMOTELY"
While the widespread shift to remote work hasn’t been without its challenges, it does offer a major silver lining: For many of us, commuting has become a thing of the past. In the United States alone, eliminating the daily commute has saved workers around 89 million hours each week — equivalent to time savings of more than 44.5 million full workdays since the pandemic began! These numbers suggest that working remotely could be a deus ex machina for reclaiming one of our most precious and limited resources: time.
Learn more.
Resource: Lauren C. Howe, Ashley Whillans and Jochen I. Menges, Harvard Business Review
"5 WAYS TO HANDLE UNCERTAINTY"
This short article shares five practical tips/reminders for dealing with uncertainty, particularly as the uncertainty related to the impacts of COVID-19 and other factors (i.e. civil unrest, politics, etc.) lingers on.
Learn more.
Resource: Jamie Spannhake, Attorney at Work
"ARIZONA'S OWNERSHIP RULES COULD BE THE 'TIPPING POINT' FOR LEGAL INDUSTRY CHANGE"
This article provides some follow-up analysis on the recent elimination of Rule 5.4 in Arizona and what impact it could have on the legal industry, in general. Among other things, it explains that the elimination of Rule 5.4 will help drive down the cost of legal services, expand the legal workforce with professionals from other specialized areas (i.e. - tech, business development/marketing, etc.), and equip law firms with greater resources through the ability to have outside ownership interests.
Learn more.
Resource: Dan Packel, Law.com (requires free subscription)
"BREAKING: IN HISTORIC VOTE, UTAH SUPREME COURT APPROVES SWEEPING CHANGES IN LEGAL SERVICES REGULATION"
In a historic vote that could set a blueprint for the rest of the country, the Utah Supreme Court has approved the most sweeping changes in a generation to the regulation of law practice and the delivery of legal services.
Learn more.
Resource: Bob Ambrogi, LawSites Blog
"ARIZONA FIRST STATE TO OK NONLAWYER OWNERSHIP OF LAW FIRMS"
Big news for the legal industry! Now 2020 really is special in more ways than one. Hopefully, other states will follow as others (Utah, California) have been considering this, also. Having a locked door does not keep anyone out these days. Being more efficient, more innovative and more collaborative makes a way in and provides more access to justice in the process.
Learn more.
Resource: Sam Skolnik, Bloomberg Law
"SMALL LAW FIRMS STILL STRUGGLING WITH FINDING NEW BUSINESS AND MANAGING ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS"
Most small law firms consider themselves successful, says Thomson Reuters’ 2020 State of U.S. Small Law Firms report. Nonetheless, these firms continue to face challenges in getting and keeping new clients. They also spend too much time on administrative tasks and not enough time practicing law. The report is based on interviews conducted in April and May with more than 400 solo and small firm lawyers and is the fourth such report produced by Thomson Reuters.
Learn more.
Resource: Joan Feldman, Attorney at Work
