My First LMA Conference: Relationships Matter

My first job after completing my undergraduate work was in software engineering at a big technology company where we developed an operating system. After about a year, I had the opportunity to go to an industry event. I came back to the office with the notable realization that customers were people too. It may sound funny but, at the time, the voice of the customer was brought to us from sales, marketing, and product leadership. The event gave me the opportunity to meet users face-to-face. Suddenly, the “customer” wasn’t so anonymous to me. The “customer” had a face, a job, really great ideas, and a family to get home to at night.

Industry events are a valuable way to develop relationships with peers and colleagues, network face-to-face, discuss the big challenges and opportunities, and experience the latest from notable vendors. In the days and weeks that follow all the excitement, there’s an opportunity to digest those “a-ha” moments and reflect on the common themes from the event.

The 2019 Legal Marketing Association (LMA) conference in Atlanta was no exception. From the main stage to panel discussions and presentations to the exhibit hall, it was such a pleasure to learn alongside clients, partners, and colleagues. I discovered two key themes:

(A) individuals are more powerful in numbers , and

(B) the legal market continues to evolve and is becoming increasingly competitive.

Individuals are More Powerful in Numbers

Since joining the InterAction(r) team about six months ago, we have had conversations about who we are as a team and what we represent. CRM isn’t new. There are many players out there. What I love about our team is the focus on the power of people. We believe in the power of people doing good work for (and with) others. This has been a key theme in the development of our product, roadmap, and cohesive approach to teamwork. It’s also a key theme for the industry we serve: Your world is all about people doing good work for others. I was especially excited to see this theme throughout the LMA 2019 conference.

The opening spotlight session on ABA Rule 5.4 included discussion about teamwork and collaboration and how these are often top weaknesses for many firms. As firms evolve from pyramid to pancake models, the practical application of collaboration becomes even more important.

This theme continued with the keynote presented by Jennifer Dulski (Head of Groups & Community, Facebook). Twitter lit up with her new acronym: I.I.C.D.T.I.C.D.A. (if I can do this, I can do anything). We can do things (even when we’re afraid) by working towards a defined future that has a clear purpose. Ms. Dulski continued to talk through practical steps for making our personal brand a meaningful movement. One of my favorite parts was the discussion about influencer mapping and how to start something from an unexpected point to drive more efficient change.

LMA members also had a chance to hear from our very own Mary Olson and Elena Cutri, speaking on Collaboration and Communication Skills, respectively. Collaboration relies on trust, communication, and change management. Our success depends on the ability to understand our stakeholders’ needs and adopting a mutually beneficial approach to achieve the desired results. As part of this work, we must understand our own communication blind spots to effectively communicate with partners, attorneys, lawyers, fee earners, IT, and executive leadership. Our work to continuously develop our communication skills will serve us well but also contribute to the success of the firm as a whole.

 

 

 

Legal market continues to evolve and relationships are the key to differentiation.

Another key theme at this year’s event was the evolution of the legal industry as a whole and the critical work required to

compete effectively. While the idea of evolution isn’t new to the legal industry, sessions included practical approaches for continuous improvement by staying one step ahead of client expectations.

The General Counsel (GC) panel explored the ways law firms can improve to earn their business. Corporations are considering the breadth of capabilities in the market: in-house, traditional law firms and alternative legal service providers. Throughout the conversation, each of the panelists highlighted the value of having a deep relationship with their selected firms and how those relationships differentiate the firms with whom they choose to work. GCs want to work with attorneys who can help set the “goal posts”—effectively equipping them to present to the CFO—and truly partner on the success of their business. Further, the GC panel underlined a desire to better understand the meaningful and sustainable value offered by the firm.

At one point in the discussion, the panelists talked about self-disruption. Ms. Dulski had discussed the same idea using different terminology: a bear hug. As individuals and as organizations, it’s important to embrace competition because it challenges us to see things from a different perspective and, ultimately, improve our craft. The GCs suggested that ALSPs represent another option for corporations as they search for savings and efficiency. They don’t define the end of law firms; there’s room for both options based on the operational strengths of each.

This idea of using personal relationships as differentiation in a changing market was reinforced by Mo Bunnell. Mr. Bunnell helps professionals learn to develop business and often highlights that decisions can be made in the first five minutes of a conversation. He also states that people buy in to what they help create. Accordingly, we have five minutes to show  clients that we know them and want to truly partner on the work to minimize their risk and drive their success. (No pressure!)

The Big-4 have already adopted a model for business development by teaching their attorneys to “sell.” Law firms must help their professionals sell by equipping them to have authentic and personal relationships with their clients.

Relationships and the role of technology.

I’m a firm believer in the value of relationships. It’s no longer about being connected anymore. It’s about the value of that connection. We have all heard that people buy from people so an honest and thoughtful approach to personal connections and authentic caring goes much further than tracking an opportunity through a pipeline.

There’s a lot of technology out there, even in just the marketing technology realm. (Check out Marketing Technology Landscape Supergraphic (2019): Martech 5000!) The good news is that the technology can help design a preferred client experience. The bad news is that we have a lot of options in that design and clients absolutely care about what that technology stack looks like because data is powerful and everyone needs to protect themselves and their business. Our clients want to help their businesses succeed and they want partners (and technology) that make it easier to do their work and get home to their families.

I’m really proud to say that InterAction is full of great people who are authentic and smart. We don’t do technology just because it’s available—we partner with our clients to discern the best application of technology given the unique nature of professional services.

Your client data can help empower your professionals to deliver a personalized and comprehensive service—one that is differentiated in meaningful ways. InterAction for Office 365® is the latest piece of our portfolio that makes this even easier—putting your CRM data in the right place at the right time, making it easier to contribute to and benefit from the data. If you didn’t have a chance to stop by our booth at LMA, I invite you to reach out for more information about this offering and the hybrid cloud model that delivers on the belief that your data is yours to protect as you choose.

All of that said, thank you for allowing me to become part of the Legal Marketing community. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to get to know you better and I hope to speak with you soon.

My First LMA Conference: Relationships Matter posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

Guadalupe Rivera-Nevarez Killed in Midland County Crash

Guadalupe Rivera-Nevarez, 55, of Lubbock, was killed Sunday morning when a semi-truck performed a u-turn in front of his vehicle on FM 1788. The crash happened just before 7 a.m. FM 1788 is a two-lane, undivided roadway. In cases like these, the parents, spouse, and children of Rivera-Nevarez would be entitled to file a wrongful-death... Read More

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Guadalupe Rivera-Nevarez Killed in Midland County Crash posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

Build Your Business Blueprint Before Deciding On The Finishes Of Your Law Firm

Before The Fixtures and Finishes of a Law Firm

Running a business is not part of the law school curriculum but having this knowledge is critical for firm growth. Just like building your dream house, building your business (and yes, your law firm is a business) requires planning so you can enjoy the comforts and benefits for a long time. Do your due diligence and everything from the front-door knocker to the backyard fence will work smoothly and make your life easier.

The first step? Create a business plan! A good business plan provides a blueprint to guide you through strategies that you set along the way. Here we describe what sections to include and how to implement your plan. With your new business plan, you’ll be able to develop next action items like:

• Defining your law firm business
• Helping lenders and investors understand your business
• Learning your industry, market, and competitors
• Deciding the types of clients you’ll work best with
• Prioritizing short- and long-term goals
• Hiring dream staff members
• And much more!

Get Organized: Gathering Your Vision

Whether you decide to develop a more detailed, traditional business plan, or a lean, high-level option, there are standard sections of the plan that you will want to include:

• Executive summary (include practice description and goals)
• Industry overview
• Market analysis
• Sales and marketing strategy
• Ownership plan (include an outline of organization and management)
• Operating principles
• Financial plan (include annual projections for the first five years)

Gather your ideas and organize your vision into a working document that will remind you why you set out on this journey to construct a business in the first place. Nail down strategies such as understanding client needs and industry dynamics, as well as operations challenges like ensuring your technology is successfully integrated.

Your Business Plan Is Rarely “Move-in Ready”

Building your dream home requires many decisions to be made along the way, and the same goes for your business plan. You can’t just create it and forget about it. To keep your business thriving, check in with the progress of your plan regularly—set new goals and keep the information current.

If you’ve already written a business plan, does it need refreshing? Again, no business grows and thrives if you “set it and forget it.” Your original strategy and focus may need tweaking and market conditions can affect decision-making. This means it’s time to renovate—spend some time expanding your master (floor) plan. Ensure the bones of your business plan will work for you and your firm’s growth and development.

Rethink action items around ensuring your attorneys’ accessibility to clients, services your firm can offer that make you unique, and marketing initiatives. The business plan can be your “punch list” to ensure milestones are reached for every goal you want to achieve.

Need Some Help? We’ve Got You Covered!

Need help figuring out where to begin? There are countless resources and guides online and in your local library to help you with each step of writing a business plan. The New York City Bar site has a good outline of questions to ask as you begin the process.

Another tip: Visit sites for the state bar Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) or the U.S. Small Business Association, which contain templates and examples of different types of plans. Finally, local sources like your city’s Chamber of Commerce or Department of Insurance may have resources or helpful contacts.

For additional information on developing a business plan, read “Basics of Running a Law Firm” from the LexisNexis^® Law Firm Guidebook Small And Midsize Law:  A Guide To Operating A Profitable Modern Law Firm. Develop a thorough business plan and get one step closer to the business of your dreams.

Build Your Business Blueprint Before Deciding On The Finishes Of Your Law Firm posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

Meet the Brackeen Family

Meet the Brackeen Family posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

Tidying Up Your Law Firm

A new year means new trends. While I won’t endorse them all — no, I’m not blindfolding myself for the Bird Box Challenge — some can really make your personal and professional life better. The latest (productive) trend that I’ve noticed already taking this year by storm is organization.

The new Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, is motivating homeowners across the nation to clear out their junk and get rid of everything that doesn’t bring them joy. I experienced this new craze first-hand one Saturday morning a few weeks ago. To my surprise, every drawer, cabinet, and pantry in my house had been dumped into a pile by my wife—not to burn, but to be organized or thrown away, according to what she felt “sparks joy.”

I poked fun at my wife for a minute, but I will admit — it worked. Our house looks great. Where had this lady been my whole life? Kidding! Kind of.

There really is something to it. Being organized reduces a lot of the stress that we encounter in our professional lives. Legal administrators are no different. There’s a ton of data and information constantly flowing from attorneys to clients and back again to the attorneys. What if you could have all that information updated, readily available, and easy to find? Where do you start?

If you’re unfamiliar with the KonMari Method, here’s a quick breakdown. This is our take on keeping your office organized the Marie Kondo way.

Appreciate the business and industry

You may get some funny looks if you meditate on your appreciation like Marie Kondo, so you don’t have to go that far. However, be happy with the success of your law firm business. Put your professional life into perspective and have gratitude for the business and clients that you have. With the amount of time you spend in the office, reacquainting yourself with appreciation for your workplace is a simple but great first step in office organization.

Understand all the data that you have

If you’re like the rest of us and haven’t been blessed with natural organization skills, do like Marie Kondo says and throw all your clothes (data) into a proverbial pile. Billings, payments, calendars, tasks, appointments, contacts, time entries, documents, notes, emails… the list goes on and on. Note the importance of each and this understanding will help you stay organized from here on out.

It doesn’t spark joy? Throw it out!

You’ve realized the importance about all the data you have. Next, Marie would have you keep items that spark joy and throw the rest out. Easier said than done! You never know when you’re going to need that information for certain clients or the attorneys in the office. So even if those books, papers, or files don’t spark your joy, it’s probably safe to say that you shouldn’t just throw them out. (We can’t blame you for wanting to sometimes though.) Instead of removing them, organize your files by client, case, and matter. It will make the data seem more manageable when everything has a designated place. Plus, you minimize your stress and you’ll be prepared when a client comes asking for a specific bill from 10 years ago. Win-win.

One category (work zone) at a time

Overwhelmed? Focus on one work zone of tidying at a time: papers, books, pens, and other office supplies. If you’re drowning in a sea of paperwork on your desk, I suggest starting there. Use folders, binders, storage containers, dividers, whatever you need to clear off your desk. Wake your books up and put them back on the shelf. You’d be surprised just how much more focused you can be if you don’t have a thousand cases staring at you in your workspace.

I’m sure we are all guilty of having a plethora of pens; select a few that spark joy — the comfortable, reliable ones — and keep them neatly stored. Just like organizing data files, organizing each area of your workspace and making the appropriate equipment and supplies readily available in that area will decrease stress and increase productivity. Marie explains, by clearing your space, you do more than just save time and money. You raise your self-esteem and shift your energy. You’ll be in a better place to reach your full potential.

Get everyone involved

We are all susceptible to new trends. Why not take part in one that transforms your potential? Others will notice and follow suit when you have newfound work efficiency. Not only will your peers notice the physical transformation of your workspace, but attorneys and other law firms will take note and will want to be a part of the tidying revolution. Trust me, it’s contagious.

Need help with organizing? You’re not alone.

My final tip: Work with the tools that are available to you. Law firms everywhere are using practice management software to better their business of law. LexisNexis^® has a portfolio of law firm practice management software that makes it possible to organize all your case, matter, and financial data.

Tidying Up Your Law Firm posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

Be The One - ADA Compliant - Audibly Impaired Version

Be The One - ADA Compliant - Audibly Impaired Version posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

PRESS RELEASE – Lawsuit Filed by Former Lubbock Medical Examiner’s Office Employee

LUBBOCK, Texas—An employment lawsuit has been filed by Senee Graves against NAAG Pathology Labs, PC, Dr. Evan Matshes and Dr. Sam Andrews of the Lubbock Medical Examiner’s Office. A copy of the lawsuit can be viewed here. Senee Graves was fired after she observed and reported potentially illegal and suspicious activity within the Medical Examiner’s... Read More

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PRESS RELEASE – Lawsuit Filed by Former Lubbock Medical Examiner’s Office Employee posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

The Crossroads of Golf and Business Development

It’s absolutely true when they say that golf is an advantage in sales and business, but then again, I may be a little biased. Before becoming the director of sales for LexisNexis^® and managing InterAction^® growth and client success, I was a collegiate golfer at San Jose State University and then a professional for two years.

So, when researching the many changes undergoing the legal industry and how technology can play a role, I found that the approaches to business development in the legal industry’s “new normal” had several parallels to my own growth on the golf course.

By identifying a strategy for each course I played, keeping detailed stats and tracking the progress of my goals, and managing a rigorous practice schedule, I was able to accelerate my development and meet the rigorous challenges of collegiate and professional golf.

And, no matter if you’re playing golf, learning another skill, or building sustainable, revenue generating-pipelines to grow your law firm or other professional services firm, you can become a successful agent of change through the process of identification, tracking, and management.

What Is the “New Normal” in the Legal Industry?

The legal industry has pretty much settled into what’s being called the “new normal,” a competitive arena where law firms are finding themselves actively seeking new strategies to compete and more efficiently deliver services to meet increasing client demands.

The 2018 Altman Weil – Law Firms In Transition Survey paints a pretty clear picture of what this “new normal” looks like:

1. Demand for law firm services won’t return to pre-recession levels, ever.
2. Clients themselves are demanding more for their money, fast response times, and quick answers.
3. 70% of the law firms surveyed reported a loss of business in 2018 due to corporations taking their legal services in-house, instead of seeking outside counsel.
4. 78% of the law firms surveyed reported that competition was their biggest obstacle.

In the LexisNexis report 2018 Marketing and Business Development Survey, we saw that nearly 40% of law firm COOs say their business development strategies lacked sophistication in this “new normal” environment. While, at the same time, budgets for technology are up so that firms can keep pace.

So, what does this mean? In the LexisNexis InterAction white paper Building a Sustainable Growth Strategy in the Legal Industry’s New Normal, we discuss the importance of a three-pronged approach, including:

1. Identifying target markets, obstacles, and where to focus effort
2. Tracking progress to craft ideal solutions
3. Managing processes to create actionable pursuits

Identify, track, and manage. With this approach, combined with focused preparation and strategy, you can build the foundations for successful business development and, incidentally, improve your golf game.

Step 1 – Know the Course: Identifying Target Markets, Obstacles, and Where to Focus Effort

When I was about 10 years old, I would approach golf in a truly “see what happens” fashion. I’d walk up to the tee, look down the fairway, and swing away, blindly hoping the ball would land on the fairway or, better yet, the green.

When competing at the collegiate and professional level, this strategy would’ve meant an almost certain failure. Even with the greatest drive in the world, that first shot means nothing without preparation and a solid strategy. You need to know the layout of each hole, the distances, the wind speed and direction, the best club for the situation, where the hazards are located, the contours of the fairway and the green, and so on.

The “see what happens” approach is as disastrous in golf as it is in a sustainable growth strategy. You need to take a clear, focused approach to determine target markets and set growth amounts and timelines.

So, how can you identify the new markets and clients who will benefit most? For one, this data can come from analyzing legacy and current client information as well as win/loss metrics.

The next step is to research your target markets and assess how you will target them. In golf, this would be equivalent to having a yardage book with the course layout so you can choose the most appropriate club and know where the obstacles are located.

To hone your approach when identifying and targeting these markets, you should set meaningful KPIs, including:

• Your target number of new accounts
• The percent of growth in specific markets
• Revenue goals
• Milestones based on timetables

Identifying your best chances for success also means acknowledging any roadblocks and hurdles that could slow or reverse growth, as well as where to best allocate resources and efforts. Like in golf, a good drive can immediately be ruined by a water hazard, a sand trap, the rough, and many other factors. You need to know the layout of the course and have a strategy for navigating it.

Step 2 – Improve Your Golf Game: Tracking Progress to Craft Ideal Solutions

Using data to determine your best course of action is only half of the battle. When I was playing competitive golf, I always tracked my stats in great detail: fairways hit, greens in regulation, and number of putts—just to name a few. My theory was/is: How am I going to get better if I don’t know where my strengths and weaknesses are so that I can focus my practice and development? The equivalent to this in the business development world is win/loss data. You always need to know your go-to shot and the areas for improvement to help ensure success.

In other words, you need to know where, specifically, your game needs work, and the same is true with your business development strategy. Tracking the progress of your firm’s business development process is key to ensuring alignment with your strategy and focusing efforts where they matter most. 

The first step to tracking and measuring data insights is to set up a single, centralized repository that enables a firm-wide, holistic view. This comprehensive insight is what fuels firm-wide collaboration with increased attorney accountability.

In golf, collaboration is equivalent to having the right caddy who knows your game and can help you navigate the course and execute your strategy. Or a swing coach to work with you on the areas that need improvement. By pulling in these professionals with the specific goal of improving your chance to win, you’ll find your goals supported by the right individuals, technology, and tools.

Firm-wide holistic views, collaboration, and accountability are necessary factors when tracking the progress of your growth and crafting ideal solutions for target markets. They support important activities, such as developing a comprehensive customer pipeline to accommodate early and late stage customers. Plus they make it easier to tightly define the stages of your firm’s development and then align those stages with buying processes.

The key metrics to help you track the effectiveness of your strategy include:

• Win/loss data
• Average deal size
• Pipeline ratio to goal
• Total open opportunities
• Number of days in each sales stage
• Opportunity conversion by stage
• Most effective content by stage

So far, you’ve identified the course ahead of you and started tracking progress against your strategy. No matter if you’re improving your golf game or creating and executing a business development strategy, you’re making progress. Now it’s time to manage that progress.

Step 3 – The Next Step: Managing Processes to Create Actionable Pursuits

When I started competing at the collegiate and professional level, I had already been playing golf for over 10 years. At that point, my swing had been developed over several years of working with an extremely talented golf coach. However, when you start competing with the best, you quickly find that there are other areas of your game that need improvement. I felt myself wanting to enhance several areas of my game all at once—what I call the “boiling the ocean” approach.

This “improve it all” approach left me feeling overwhelmed without a clear direction, and I knew that I needed to manage my processes to create actionable pursuits. If I was having trouble with my short game (chipping and putting), then that’s where I would create specific, measurable goals. The same was true for my mental game and staying in the moment and not thinking ahead. Not an area I had focused on in the past, but an area that became vastly important when competing with the world’s best.

For your firm’s business development, this means managing new business opportunities to create pipelines with recurring revenue. Through centralized dashboards and reports with dynamic, live data, for instance, you’ll find it easy to make crucial decisions, such as to pivot strategy or dive into an opportunity. You’ll also strengthen collaboration because team members will have accurate and current information about clients, and they can use this information for building relationships and participating in your firm’s growth.

As you prioritize better client relationships with a focus on brand image, you can enhance your business development strategy’s main initiatives by aligning the buying processes with the KPIs you set, and then running routine pipeline meetings so that everyone is clear about how things are progressing.

Executing Your Business Development Strategy

No matter your growth strategies in the coming years, progress is iterative and your goals should align accordingly. A little focus on your swing, for instance, can have a direct impact on your score, and the same is true when allocating resources or finding and researching new markets.

And while the “new normal” in the legal industry presents many challenges, building a business development strategy will help you navigate through this stormy climate and bring immediate, positive returns to your law firm, your brand image, and your clients. In other words, have a solid strategy (yardage book), align your processes to drive that strategy (practice with a purpose), and ensure you have the tools (clubs, caddy, coach) to support your processes

 

The Crossroads of Golf and Business Development posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

AG Ken Paxton Announces New Initiative to Combat Prescription Painkiller Misuse in Texas

AG Ken Paxton Announces New Initiative to Combat Prescription Painkiller Misuse in Texas posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

Inspired by LEGO: Building Software Better

As the Director of Software Engineering for InterAction^®, I know it’s not enough to produce the best software—you need to know it’s the best, and that you’re continually striving to develop a team that can create that software in the best way possible.

If you work to build a better team and provide them with clear customer feedback, they’ll be equipped to build a better product. But where do you get the inspiration for continual improvement, both in the product and development process?

Simple: LEGO^® sets!

Like many kids, LEGO bricks were my toy of choice. Yes, the range of bricks back in the 1960s was much simpler than today, and while making what was on the box lid was always fun, the real satisfaction was running with my imagination and innovating that design. Adapting and evolving.

As time went by, college and a career in software came along. The LEGO bricks went into storage and was forgotten. It wasn’t until I had children of my own that they came back out of the box again.

One Christmas, my kids actually bought me a LEGO set: the LEGO Technic 8880 Super Car. (Seriously—it was a game changer.) Of course they wanted to help me build it. Even more than just the joy of us all putting a great model together, what struck me was how much these iconic “building blocks” had evolved over the previous decades.

Looking at LEGO with a software engineer’s eyes, I could see how, while adhering to strict standards and rules on backwards compatibility, they had still managed to create new and better solutions to ever more challenging problems.

Over time, I’ve followed how LEGO has evolved and improved the design of their large car sets, through almost 20 models spanning 40 years. They’ve never complacently accepted the status quo. They’re still pushing forward to the next level.

With the advent of Lean and Agile software practices, LEGO found its way (officially) into the workplace too, used in training to help illustrate the advantages of small-batch working, rapid delivery, and incorporating feedback, as well as other techniques critical in modern software development.

(Not too surprisingly, LEGO sets regularly make it into the office just for the sheer fun of it; a fair few of the team have their own collections.)

If you look at how LEGO evolved over the years, you’ll see occasional leaps—step changes in parts or techniques—but more often than not, it’s about steady refinement of components and products. And that’s often the same with software products like InterAction: big “ta-da” moments punctuating a stream of continual improvement.

And being attentive to our users helps us to refine our technical strategy, ensuring we align with (and are ready to meet) their future needs.

The InterAction team has been regularly releasing new, innovative capabilities three or four times a year for a while. This hasn’t allowed us to respond to customer feedback (and the ever-changing technology and security landscape) as swiftly as we would want.

Which is why we’ve decided to create a new-release train, running alongside the more familiar major releases. Starting January 17, and the third Thursday of every month, we’ll make an update pack available, allowing us to get important changes to the customer.

We’re acutely aware that it’s not just about functional improvement; there’s also effort involved in any new software installation or upgrade. This is why we’re always working to reduce the total cost of ownership of InterAction, smoothing and simplifying the upgrade process, reducing obstacles to the early adoption of critical changes.

It’s not just the attorneys, marketers and business development teams that are users of InterAction, it’s the IT teams too, always ensuring their estate is always up-to-date, robust, and secure.

So, big boxes to inspire, small packs to strengthen—both complementing one another, both with the clear and simple instructions you need to help you maintain and extend your InterAction ecosystem.

Now, what does that remind me of?

LEGO, SERIOUS PLAY, IMAGINOPEDIA, the Minifigure and the Brick and Knob configurations are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this website. © 2019 The LEGO Group

 

Inspired by LEGO: Building Software Better posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Named Best Law Firm in KCBD’s Best of the West Contest in 2019

Glasheen, Valles & Inderman was named the Best Law Firm in Lubbock in KCBD’s Best of the West viewers’ choice contest. This marks the ninth year that Glasheen, Valles & Inderman has won the title of Best Law Firm in the Best of the West Contest. In addition to winning in 2019, Glasheen, Valles &... Read More

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Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Named Best Law Firm in KCBD’s Best of the West Contest in 2019 posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

How the 2018 CounselLink Conferences are Making an Impact on 2019 and Beyond

LexisNexis^® CounselLink^® is known for being in the forefront when it comes to innovation. We’ve made it our focus to listen to the needs of our customers, and one of the ways that we’ve done this is by hosting a series of regional conferences. These opportunities gave us direct access and one-on-one engagement with the organizations that we work with. Our conferences also provided our clients with a chance to network and share their experiences and input. We learned quite a bit throughout this process. Here are some of the highlights.

The Power of Reporting

Getting to know our reporting tools was one of the top requests from our clients during our conferences. Our clients have access to a sophisticated suite that has been designed to give them quick and direct access to the data that’s relevant to them. Diving deeper into our reporting tools and learning just how creating metrics and using the right filters and dashboards to their fullest can make managing a legal department easier was a win for all involved.

With over 80 stock reports available and dynamic dashboards that can be customized to provide the at-a-glance info that our clients need to make solid business decisions, it’s important for users to understand how reporting works and the easiest ways to analyze their data. It’s just as important to meet users where they are, whether they’re new to CounselLink reporting or in need of a refresher. Discovering the power of the CounselLink reporting tools and the opportunity for further training through LexisNexis University was another score for those who attended our conferences this year.

Innovative New Functionality

Allowing users to test our new functionality as it comes out is another win-win for CounselLink and the clients we serve. In 2018, we used the CounselLink Idea Board to create a direct feedback loop between clients and our production team. One of the new functionalities introduced this year was Matter Tasks, which allows users to add reminders or tasks to matters. Legal Request, which allows even non-CounselLink users to request legal work from legal operations departments, was another major new tool made available to CounselLink users. Law Firm Visualizations, an in-app visualization tool for law firm performance, and Timekeeper Rate Analysis were also introduced in 2018.

Beta CounselLink definitely made a positive impact. By getting clients directly involved during the feature release life cycle, we were able to focus on the aspects that matter most to our users and incorporate their ideas into the development process. The CounselLink conferences were an effective way for us to introduce these new functionalities and learn how we can improve and introduce even more new tools in 2019!

Are you ready to learn more about everything that CounselLink has to offer? Send your team to one of our free instructor-led classes. They are offered at least twice a month at no cost.

For those with busy schedules who prefer a self-paced option, we also offer OnDemand classes, designed to meet the needs and schedule of every learner. These short, information-packed modules can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Our downloadable reference guides are another easy-to-use tool to help you get the most from CounselLink. Each guide walks users through the steps that they’ll need to get started and use the tools available to them.

This year has been filled with networking and learning opportunities. We can’t wait to get to know you better in 2019, and we hope that you’ll make attending a CounselLink conference part of your new year’s plan!

How the 2018 CounselLink Conferences are Making an Impact on 2019 and Beyond posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

Texas Attor­ney Gen­er­al Ken Pax­ton Sworn in by Gov­er­nor Greg Abbott for Sec­ond Term

Texas Attor­ney Gen­er­al Ken Pax­ton Sworn in by Gov­er­nor Greg Abbott for Sec­ond Term posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

PRESS RELEASE – Personal Injury Lawsuit Filed Against Altitude Trampoline Park After Minor Suffers Leg Fractures

ODESSA, Texas—A personal injury lawsuit has been filed in Ector County Federal Court Wednesday after a minor was severely injured at Altitude Trampoline Park. Lawsuit and Press Conference A copy of the lawsuit can be found here. Glasheen, Valles & Inderman will also be holding a press conference at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 6,... Read More

The post PRESS RELEASE – Personal Injury Lawsuit Filed Against Altitude Trampoline Park After Minor Suffers Leg Fractures appeared first on Glasheen, Valles & Inderman.

PRESS RELEASE – Personal Injury Lawsuit Filed Against Altitude Trampoline Park After Minor Suffers Leg Fractures posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

Ray Reyes Killed in 18-Wheeler Crash Near Midland

Ray Reyes, 74 of Big Lake, was killed Tuesday morning when the driver of another 18-wheeler failed to yield right of way and pulled out in front of him. Reyes’ tractor-trailer struck the driver’s side of the other tractor-trailer, killing him. The crash happened around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday morning. Reyes was traveling east on State... Read More

The post Ray Reyes Killed in 18-Wheeler Crash Near Midland appeared first on Glasheen, Valles & Inderman.

Ray Reyes Killed in 18-Wheeler Crash Near Midland posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

AG Paxton Sues City of San Antonio to Comply with State and Federal Immigration Laws

AG Paxton Sues City of San Antonio to Comply with State and Federal Immigration Laws posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

PRESS RELEASE: Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Donates $20,000 to the 2018 Tech Terrace Rodica Gelca Public Art Memorial on the National Day of Giving

A press conference will be held at Tech Terrace Park at 1:30 p.m. LUBBOCK, TEXAS – Glasheen, Valles & Inderman is proud to give $20,000 to the Tech Terrace Public Art Committee for the public art memorial in honor of Rodica Gelca. This donation allows the committee to meet their minimum target of $20,000 to... Read More

The post PRESS RELEASE: Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Donates $20,000 to the 2018 Tech Terrace Rodica Gelca Public Art Memorial on the National Day of Giving appeared first on Glasheen, Valles & Inderman.

PRESS RELEASE: Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Donates $20,000 to the 2018 Tech Terrace Rodica Gelca Public Art Memorial on the National Day of Giving posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

8 Hidden Benefits of Using a Mobile App for Timekeeping

Timekeeping. It’s a tedious process for most lawyers, but it’s a necessary task for law firms that want to meet their bottom line. As technology advances, practice management software products have been aiming to make capturing time easier and more efficient for lawyers and legal staff. At LexisNexis^®, we’ve taken it one step further with mobile app timekeeping.

State of the art iOS and Android apps are a part of everyday life for attorneys and working people alike. You need something? There’s an app for that. Timekeeping is no exception. Mobile timekeeping is designed to make it easier for attorneys to enter their billable hours wherever they are, no matter what they are doing. The convenience and ease of use provides multiple different benefits that you may not be aware of.

If improving the rate of your billable hours isn’t enough to convince you to give it a try, here are the eight hidden benefits of using a mobile app for timekeeping:

1. Focus on timekeeping
   Mobile timekeeping offers a simple, modern app that you can use to enter your time without having to worry about anything else. Focus on the more difficult tasks at hand with an app that eliminates all the extra features that come with your computer-based practice management software. You’ll have a clean, user-friendly interface for quick updates to the billable hours you have collected. There’s no fluff—get only what you need.

2. More time for your staff
   Mobile timekeeping apps make it easier to enter your own time so it becomes a habit. You’ll be able to eliminate the clutter and confusion of handwritten notes and email, giving firm staff the ability to focus on other important activities.

3. Improve your bottom line
   It’s easy to forget to log hours, especially when you are constantly on the move. Mobile timekeeping helps you track your billable hours and avoid missed opportunities.

4. Evolve the way your firm operates
   In today’s tech-friendly world, keeping firm staff engaged and educated on new ways to operate will improve firm efficiency and help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation.

5. Avoid client disputes
   When meeting with your clients outside of the office, you want to make sure you capture every bit of time you spend with them. By logging billable hours right away when it’s fresh in your mind, it’s less likely that you’ll make an error. Apps like PCLaw^® Go even allow you to enter explanations for time capture so there are no disputes when it comes to invoicing your clients.

6. Integrate seamlessly
   One of the great features of an app like PCLaw Go is that it integrates seamlessly with its corresponding practice management software, PCLaw^®. This way, you’re not only improving your rate of billable hours but you’re also creating a holistic experience for your entire staff, which will improve your business operations.

7. Work on your MacBook and reduce the need for a remote desktop or terminal server application
   Chances are, someone who works in your firm uses an Apple MacBook. A mobile timekeeping application gives your firm the ability to quickly enter time using a MacBook without having to use a remote desktop application or secondary Windows PC to access PCLaw software. Many firms can also reduce their reliance on remote desktop or terminal server applications when time can be entered via an app.

8. Improve overall efficiency
   Once you improve timekeeping, you’ll see other aspects of your law firm business fall into place. Using mobile timekeeping applications like PCLaw Go will free up your time so that you can focus on other important priorities around the office and get more done within a timely manner.

Say goodbye to pads of paper, sticky notes, and journals. Track all your billable hours with a seamless mobile timekeeping application that offers everything you need to improve your firm efficiency and profitability. Our newest mobile timekeeping application, PCLaw Go, offers attorneys the ability to bill faster by associating time entries to the cases, clients, and matters already in their PCLaw system.

To learn more, visit PCLawGo.com or contact us at 866-448-5871.

 

8 Hidden Benefits of Using a Mobile App for Timekeeping posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

PRESS RELEASE – Dona Ana County Jury Awards $5 Million Verdict in Forklift Injury Case

LAS CRUCES, NM – The personal injury law firm of Glasheen, Valles & Inderman secured a jury verdict of more than $5 million in Dona Ana County, New Mexico Friday in a civil lawsuit about a forklift injury that resulted in severe brain damage.

The post PRESS RELEASE – Dona Ana County Jury Awards $5 Million Verdict in Forklift Injury Case appeared first on Glasheen, Valles & Inderman.

PRESS RELEASE – Dona Ana County Jury Awards $5 Million Verdict in Forklift Injury Case posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com

The 2018 ACC Annual Meeting: Thriving in a Fast-Moving World

Last week, our team spent some time in Austin, Texas, attending sessions at the 2018 ACC Annual Meeting. This year’s event was packed with dynamic and informed speakers who were passionate about the needs of in-house counsel. Though each session covered a different topic, the concept of staying on pace infast-moving and ever-changing times was woven into every learning experience.

A New Approach to Legal Department Leadership

Today’s legal departments are expected to actively contribute to the success of their business. One of the hot topics discussed this year was innovative team approaches and how they are helping legal departments to drive results. The creation of specific teams that are accountable for their results is one tactic being utilized by legal departments to reduce spend, create a better department culture, and increase engagement. When team members are encouraged to “own it,” they gain more skills and contribute more to the success of the business.

One groundbreaking team-building concept emphasized was building generationally diverse teams by identifying the strengths of those who identify with different generations and what tools and concepts that they most relate to. Through establishing the strengths and challenges of those who identify with different generations, legal departments are building more effective communication strategies.

Many law departments are embracing the Operations role as a critical component to delivering value to the company. This is a change that leads the department to deploy “project management” thinking across the department – from how they manage large portfolios of contracts to defending lawsuits, and, of course, technology initiatives.

Legal departments are also evolving through the reduction of reliance on outside counsel. By expecting accountability from the firms that they work with and focusing on high-caliber firms with like values, legal departments are reducing costs and driving change within their business. Through the use of tools like law firm score cards, legal departments can evaluate the firms that they work with and engage in meaningful dialogue that will improve their relationship. Reporting and budget should serve as a key topic in the discussions between legal departments and the law firms that they work with.

Gone is the era where legal department leaders operate in a vacuum. Legal department leaders should also be viewed as change agents who are not only a valuable asset to their team, but to the business as a whole. Senior leadership should not only be an active part of each department team, but also a part of the corporate leadership team.

There is no doubt that change is happening fast within and around the legal departments that we work with. This is why it is so important for our team to stay on top of the advances being made in this specialized portion of the legal industry. As your legal departments evolve,  LexisNexis^® CounselLink^® is focusing on innovations that will help you increase efficiency and adapt to a changing landscape.

The 2018 ACC Annual Meeting: Thriving in a Fast-Moving World posted first on https://injuryhelpnowcom.blogspot.com