The masterful lawyer uses whatever tools they can to run an effective practice. The October 2023 edition of New Jersey Lawyer provides tips for various aspects of effective legal practice, focusing on ethical considerations, technological advancements, team building, personal well-being, and writing strategies.
These insights highlight the significance of integrating these practices into legal education and professional development to enhance overall performance, strengthen client relationships, and promote a more conducive and productive work environment.
The Practice Perfect section highlights the benefits of integrating paralegals into legal teams. Author Kimberly Molinelli outlines the role of paralegals in reducing attorneys' workload by handling substantive legal tasks under supervision. The article underscores the cost-effectiveness of using paralegals and their contributions to maintaining lower legal fees and enhancing client satisfaction. Molinelli emphasizes the importance of paralegals in facilitating multitasking within legal practices, ensuring effective client communication, and mitigating the risk of client poaching.
The Working Well section focuses on the significance of cultivating equanimity in the legal profession. Lori Ann Buza emphasizes the role of equanimity in fostering emotional balance and composure, enabling attorneys to navigate high-stress situations effectively. The article highlights the benefits of mindfulness practices, self-regulation, and emotional intelligence in promoting a healthy work-life balance and enhancing overall well-being. Buza advocates for the integration of equanimity as a core practice in legal education and professional development.
Retired Superior Court Judge Nelson Johnson, the acclaimed author of the book that inspired the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, has an article in Writer’s Corner discussing the importance of rhythm in legal writing. Judge Johnson emphasizes the role of rhythm in maintaining reader engagement and conveying persuasive arguments. The article provides practical tips for enhancing writing cadence, such as alternating sentence lengths, strategically repositioning words and phrases, and using sentence fragments to create a dynamic and compelling narrative. Judge Johnson underscores the significance of varied sentence structures in capturing the reader's attention and effectively conveying legal arguments.
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion section focuses on the development of empathy and compassion in the legal workplace. The article underscores the pivotal role of empathy in fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment and emphasizes the benefits of empathy in promoting effective communication, understanding diverse perspectives, and cultivating a collaborative and empathetic workplace culture. Provided are practical strategies for cultivating empathy, including curiosity cultivation, active listening, and engagement in shared causes to bridge differences and promote mutual understanding.
The Ethics & Professional Responsibility section explores the evolving landscape of permanent disbarment in the legal profession. Bonnie Frost examines the ongoing reevaluation of disbarment policies, specifically in New Jersey, where the concept of permanent disbarment is being challenged. Highlighting specific cases such as Lucid and Wade, Frost emphasizes the role of intent and circumstances in disciplinary actions, advocating for a more nuanced approach to judgment. The article raises important ethical considerations, urging legal professionals to consider individual contexts when determining appropriate disciplinary measures.
The Technology section sheds light on the underused features of Microsoft Word. The article emphasizes the importance of leveraging the full potential of the software to enhance efficiency and productivity in legal document management. There are practical tips on customizing the status bar, using the Quick Access Toolbar, leveraging the Dictate feature for transcription, using AutoText and AutoCorrect for quick text insertion and editing, and harnessing the power of default formatting and styles to streamline document creation and formatting processes.
The full issue is available at njsba.com.
About New Jersey Lawyer: The NJSBA magazine takes deep dives into specific areas of law through each special issue. October’s issue featured Animal Law.
New Jersey Lawyer is always looking for law-related articles unrelated to the topic assigned to a specific issue. This includes:
- Technology – Tech tips for lawyers and law firms
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility – A look at integrity, conduct and service in law practice
- Working Well – Wellness/mindfulness and mental health topics for lawyers
- What I Wish I Knew – Lessons learned by lawyers
- Writer’s Corner – Writing tips for legal professionals
- Practice Perfect – Law practice management, human resources, financial information, and risk management/insurance
- View from the Bench – Brief insights from current and retired judges
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – How lawyers can foster a more inclusive practice