085: Top Tech Recommendations for a Better Practice

If you're a solo or small firm lawyer struggling to get quality legal research and writing done on short notice (without needing to hire an associate) you should check out a service called Lawclerk. In this episode I talk with one Lawclerk's co-founder, Kristin Tyler, about how their service works, and why so many attorneys are enthralled when they discover what it can do for them. If you want to see an example of the work product done by one of Lawclerk's freelance contractors, check out this memo that I submitted to the Texas Bar Association. If you decide to try LawClerk's service you can get a $50 rebate on your first project by using the code: ernie50 General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Ruby Receptionists Ruby is a virtual receptionist service that provides all of your law firm's callers with first-class service. I used them for my solo practice and they were phenomenal in helping me surprise and delight my callers. I've been enthusiastically recommending Ruby to hundreds of lawyers and they also have been amazed by the quality of service and its affordability. To learn more about Ruby Receptionists' exceptional services (and get a special discount for podcast listeners only) click here. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

22 Okt 201932min

Aaron Krigelski is the co-founder of StrutLegal;, a company that helps lawyers created hyperlinked ebriefs. Increasingly, judges want lawyers to create such briefs. But doing so is beyond the technical skill of most lawyers. In this episode, Ernie and Aaron discuss advanced PDF skills generally. But they also highlight the reasons why judges and their clerks are so enamored of hyperlinked briefs. General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Ruby Receptionists Ruby is a virtual receptionist service that provides all of your law firm's callers with first-class service. I used them for my solo practice and they were phenomenal in helping me surprise and delight my callers. I've been enthusiastically recommending Ruby to hundreds of lawyers and they also have been amazed by the quality of service and its affordability. To learn more about Ruby Receptionists' exceptional services (and get a special discount for podcast listeners only) click here. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

15 Okt 201929min

Amanda is the founder of Aguillard Accounting, a small business accounting firm based in New Orleans with clients across the country. Her focus is solo and small law firms and real estate brokerages. She is also the co-founder of Elefant, a training company for accountants and bookkeepers. Amanda's #1 passion is helping small business owners build the practices of their dreams using technology. Resources discussed in this episode Xero; - cloud-based accounting software for small businesses (which Ernie and Amanda both use and recommend) MinuteDoc; - Xero-based time and billing integration Amanda's Clio Conference Talk (YouTube recording) entitled "Accounting Doesn't Have to Be a Bad Word. She talked about making sense of accounting practices and how to avoid common law firm accounting pitfalls. Quickbooks Online - the cloud-based competitor to Xero. Amanda's Twitter Feed - where she posts important announcements for small business owners looking for guidance with accounting issues. Small Firm Bootcamp 2020 - the 2-day conference for solo and small firm attorneys coming up in May of 2020 in New Orleans. Special "early bird" pricing is now in effect. General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Ruby Receptionists Ruby is a virtual receptionist service that provides all of your law firm's callers with first-class service. I used them for my solo practice and they were phenomenal in helping me surprise and delight my callers. I've been enthusiastically recommending Ruby to hundreds of lawyers and they also have been amazed by the quality of service and its affordability. To learn more about Ruby Receptionists' exceptional services (and get a special discount for podcast listeners only) click here. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

8 Okt 201932min

If you want great clients you need to talk to them in an authentic, personal way. If people can't figure out who you really are, or where you're coming from (i.e. your values) they will deal with you at arms length. They won't trust you very much. But if you put your real self "out there" you'll be amazed at how many wonderful people will be drawn to you. General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Ruby Receptionists Ruby is a virtual receptionist service that provides all of your law firm's callers with first-class service. I used them for my solo practice and they were phenomenal in helping me surprise and delight my callers. I've been enthusiastically recommending Ruby to hundreds of lawyers and they also have been amazed by the quality of service and its affordability. To learn more about Ruby Receptionists' exceptional services (and get a special discount for podcast listeners only) click here. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

1 Okt 201919min

In this episode, Knoxville attorney Patrick Slaughter returns to discuss the importance of crafting (or discovering) your law firm's vision. Patrick and Ernie explain why they think that these two books are helpful in crafting a meaningful vision of success (in life, and in your law practice): The Alchemist, by Paolo Coelho Traction: Get a Grip On Your Business, by Gino Wickman General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Ruby Receptionists Ruby is a virtual receptionist service that provides all of your law firm's callers with first-class service. I used them for my solo practice and they were phenomenal in helping me surprise and delight my callers. I've been enthusiastically recommending Ruby to hundreds of lawyers and they also have been amazed by the quality of service and its affordability. To learn more about Ruby Receptionists' exceptional services (and get a special discount for podcast listeners only) click here. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

24 Sep 201941min

Through his company Optiable, Craig Bayer has helped hundreds of solo and small firm attorneys better manage their digital documents. So he's in a great position to discuss the best way to backup those documents, along with other crucial data. … Want my personal help? And if you want ongoing guidance improving and growing your practice consider joining my ; Co-Pilot coaching program ...which is exclusively for solo and small firm lawyers that want to better manage and market their practices (so they can take more time off and enjoy life more!) Our Sponsor: Ruby Receptionists Ruby is a virtual receptionist service that provides all of your law firm's callers with first-class service. I used them for my solo practice and they were phenomenal in helping me surprise and delight my callers. I've been enthusiastically recommending Ruby to hundreds of lawyers and they also have been amazed by the quality of service and its affordability. To learn more about Ruby Receptionists' exceptional services (and get a special discount for podcast listeners only) click here. *** EPISODE CREDITS: If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com BTW, I'd love to get your feedback or hear about your questions (which I'll answer in upcoming episodes). And when you get a chance, download my free Guide to Working Smarter in the Digital Age (which will help you streamline & optimize your practice —so you start working less and relaxing more). Oh, and if you're interested in making changes sooner, check out my new Working Smarter course.

17 Sep 201937min

The main reason people aren't able to effectively manage their important tasks and projects is they don't have a good system for capturing tasks and ideas as they come up. In this episode I'll share with you the three keys to effective task capture and management. The Magic Number 7, Plus or Minus 2: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information, by George Miller Eisenhower Matrix, ETA blog post David Allen interview by Tim Ferriss Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity, by David Allen Asana; - cloud-based task & project management tool Omnifocus for Mac http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1599185059/ernieattorney-20 General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Ruby Receptionists Ruby is a virtual receptionist service that provides all of your law firm's callers with first-class service. I used them for my solo practice and they were phenomenal in helping me surprise and delight my callers. I've been enthusiastically recommending Ruby to hundreds of lawyers and they also have been amazed by the quality of service and its affordability. To learn more about Ruby Receptionists' exceptional services (and get a special discount for podcast listeners only) click here. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

10 Sep 201927min

Literally every person who thinks has flaws in the way they think. It's not their fault; it's factory-installed in their cognitive engine. That's true for me, for you, and for any human born with a brain. You can ignore the preset cognitive flaws and live at their mercy. Or you can improve your thinking. Step one is understanding some of the basic flaws that are most insidious and most debilitating. In this episode I touch on three books that are quite helpful in getting a better sense of what kinds of cognitive flaws you most need to address. The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, by Steven Pressfield Meditations;, by Marcus Aurelius Seeking Wisdom - From Darwin to Munger, by Peter Bevelin General Resources Learn to use technology to reduce friction & gain freedom with this resource: https://www.the8020lawyer.com/ Focus on these essential tech tools for maximum traction in your practice. Take this short law practice assessment to identify your main strengths & weaknesses. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Ruby Receptionists Ruby is a virtual receptionist service that provides all of your law firm's callers with first-class service. I used them for my solo practice and they were phenomenal in helping me surprise and delight my callers. I've been enthusiastically recommending Ruby to hundreds of lawyers and they also have been amazed by the quality of service and its affordability. To learn more about Ruby Receptionists' exceptional services (and get a special discount for podcast listeners only) click here. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

3 Sep 201923min