Blawg Review #152, TechnoLawyer Style
Blawg Review is not just a blog, it's a clever social networking concept. Every week, a different blawg hosts Blawg Review, pointing out what it deems the most interesting blawg Posts from the previous week. Sometimes, the hosting blog will develop a theme around Blawg Review.
As you can see, 151 Blawg Reviews have preceded this one. Today, at last, it's our turn. Don't worry. You're in good hands. Blawg Review is similar to our BlawgWorld eBook.
The former contains links to Posts whereas the latter reprints entire Posts. Both have the same goal — expose people to blawgs and the excellent content they publish free of charge.
Given our BlawgWorld legacy, we thought we would canvas the 77 blawgs that comprise the latest edition of our eBook to see what they've published lately.
And then we realized that 77 is quite a large number. Fine for an eBook, but maybe not for a blog post. Time for Plan B.
This being TechnoLawyer, we decided to canvas the law practice management and legal technology blawgs within BlawgWorld. A few of these blawgs have fallen off the radar, but most of them (29) continue to crank out great content as evidenced by our selections below. (My commentary appears in parentheses.)
Because many other bloggers were kind enough to send us submissions for Blawg Review, we have also showcased our favorite submissions.
Our Picks from the Practice Management and Technology Blawgs in BlawgWorld ...
Above the Law reports on the most shocking court transcript of the year. (Are you sure this isn't the latest Quentin Tarantino script?)
Adam Smith, Esq. debates whether a blog can benefit a large law firm. (No comment from Kevin O'Keefe yet. Three, two, one ...)
Anonymous Lawyer explains why there's not much Anonymous Lawyer lately. (We suggest Jeremy work as a contract lawyer for a month on one of the inevitable Bear Stearns lawsuits. That'll provide some inspiration.)
Between Lawyers announces a new book by Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell, The Lawyer's Guide to Collaboration Tools and Technologies: Smart Ways to Work Together. (We're awaiting our review copy.)
DennisKennedy.blog dishes out some advice to lawyers who want to start a solo practice. (Trail Carolyn Elefant for a week.)
Futurelawyer's Rick Georges further criticizes PaperPort 11, this time by proxy. (The joys of activation.)
Golden Practices provides some tips on responding to RFPs, including when not to respond. (How about wearing a swimsuit to your next beauty contest?)
In Search of Perfect Client Service reports on the "lost generation" of large firm associates. (I'm a proud member.)
JD Bliss Blog reports on a group of Stanford Law School students who have started a movement — 1,000 strong on Facebook — to improve associate life at large law firms. (Until they become partners, that is.)
Jim Calloway's Law Practice Tips Blog discusses the most important button on your mobile phone. (Try guessing before you click.)
LawBiz Blog finds a law firm profitability lesson in a college hoops game. (Go Bruins!)
Leadership for Lawyers comments on the ABA's "Blawg 100," a list of the top 100 legal blogs. (For the record, we was robbed!)
Legal Business Development explains why ignoring "good ideas" for growing your practice might actually help you achieve that goal. (Okay then, no swimsuit at your next beauty contest.)
Legal Ease Blog explores the risks associated with evaluating lawyers on the number of hours they bill. (Attach this Post when submitting your time.)
Legal Marketing Blog provides six tips on effective marketing in a weakening economy. (Tip Number 7: Stop reading this blog post and get back to work.)
Legal Sanity applies the broken windows theory to law practice, particularly keeping clients happy. (It's the little things ... like returning phone calls.)
Life at the Bar explains what it's like when a lawyer becomes a party to a lawsuit and needs to hire a lawyer. (If you really want to blow your mind, think about a lawyer hiring a lawyer to sue a lawyer for malpractice.)
Want an extra $100,000 on your W-2 this year? More Partner Income explains how. (No, you won't have to send a check or money order for $59.95 for a set of videotapes.)
Nerino Petro's Compujurist.com recently published an in-depth review of Microsoft OneNote 2007. (Shame on us for not doing so.)
Passion, People and Principles has assembled the 20 worst Beatles songs as proof that "no-one ever achieves a consistently high standard." (Someone doesn't like the White Album.)
Ross Ipsa Loquitur tells you how to email Steve Ballmer. (Because of the volume of messages he receives, his reply may come from a retirement community 40 years from now.)
Slaw unveils the Slaw Timeline, a PDF file that summarizes each blog Post published during the past week using a timeline. (Did they use TimeMap? TimelineXpress? Timeline Maker Professional? Do tell.)
Strategic Legal Technology discusses two new social networks for lawyers, JD Supra and Legal Onramp, describing them as "conceptually similar to Counsel Connect." (Let's not forget LawCommerce.com.)
The Common Scold's Monica Bay becomes the last person on the planet to buy an iPod. (Her Walkman bypassed eBay and went straight to the Smithsonian.)
The Mac Lawyer summarizes a recent seminar on using a Mac for trial presentations. (Tip: Hire Steve Jobs to give your closing argument.)
The Marcus Perspective delves into the world of surveys, and provides some tips on how to use and not misuse them. (Take that Richard Dawson.)
The [Non]Billable Hour concludes that the only real difference between a large law firm and a venture-backed startup company is the $5,000 espresso machine. (Does anyone sell cost recovery software for macchiatos?)
What About Clients? reports that cost cutting at large companies may benefit small law firms. (Or perhaps law firms in India.)
Wired GC explores the problems general counsel face when they cut legal costs. (Like having to pay in Rupees.)
Our Picks from This Week's Blawg Review Submissions ...
Slate's new legal blog, Convictions, argues that the Supreme Court has a pro-business bias. (Well, the Framers were wealthy businessmen.)
Death and Taxes has an excellent cross-selling suggestion for family law practitioners. (Ka-ching!)
Small Business Trends echoes our sentiments about the foolishness of not listing executive bios on your Web site. (We told you so.)
Sharp Brains suggests you try to relax a little. (Maybe we should have linked to just one blog post in this Blawg Review.)
Professor Marc John Randazza of the Legal Satyricon took Sharp Brains' advice and makes two important announcements as a result. (Congratulations.)
And that's all for Blawg Review 152! Next week, 153 at Declarations and Exclusions.
Blawg Review has information about next week's host, and instructions how to get your blawg posts reviewed in upcoming issues.
About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.
