Blog Posts: Law Blog

Recently, I called a client to set up a block of time to prepare for mediation. The client didn’t understand why we needed to meet and thought you just go in and see if the dispute can be settled or not. This common misconception regarding mediation speaks to an important topic: preparation. I had to explain to the client that the two most important times in ...

One-way to know if you follow up is to ask yourself if things you want to get done do. This includes tasks you or others, whether inside or outside your company, are working on. I know many of you are thinking you shouldn't have to follow up for things to be completed. That is a misplaced thought. How many times have you realized at or just before the end of the b...

It is important to remember how to be a member of the group. And don't make it only about business. Relax. All business is relationships, and it is where you need to do a good job. If you are not, you've got to tweak the formula. Even if you know the answer, don't always volunteer it. Many people don't want to be wrong. Never.  If you correct them, they'r...

No one really makes it on their own. Everyone is part of a team, whether internally at their business or with partners at other businesses. Anyone who thinks their success is only attributable to their own actions is mistaken and myopic.  You need to know your colleagues. Does this mean you have to be best friends with everyone and know everything about ...

Be honest; don't lie. And say what you mean. This seems simple, but too many people have trouble with what are to me qualities that we shouldn't have to strive for. I mean talk about a low bar: be honest and forthright. And be this way all the time to everyone you deal with. You want people to believe in you. The alternative is being two faced and dishonest. Can a...

Networking is about knowing more people. Connecting is about knowing people more. The distinction is obvious. You know a lot of people professionally and personally, but you are connected to only a fraction of those you know.  When you are at a business, social or charitable event, you likely will run into many people you know. But with many, you will know th...

One thing I have learned is to do things for others, yet expect nothing. That's right, you need to rely on karma. Do good deeds and you will be on the receiving end in the future. Connect people. Refer people. Forward that article you know your colleague, friend or family member will be interested in. Send a card or a letter - you know, the way we u...

I wanted to go to law school, but knew for sure after an interview with Pitney Bowes. The interviewer asked me to sell him widgets. I never tried to close the deal, so you can imagine the result of the interview. In addition to thinking law was interesting, I thought I was going into a profession that didn't require selling. I was wrong.  In law you...

We live in a fast-paced transactional world. With the speed everything moves people sometimes resort to a text, email or similarly transactional electronic thank you. But if you resort to relaying a thank you by email, text or social media flavor of the month it is destined for the electronic scrapheap and likely will not be remembered. Be different and either writ...

That's right. You need to know others to succeed. You need to know and have guides or mentors. You need to know your peers. You need to know your competition. And you need to start knowing these people from day one. Or if you did not start then, start today! There are many ways to go about this. You can network with others alone or at events, collecting business c...