Do you speak the same way in a job interview as you do when you’re at a concert with your friends? Probably not. Is your interaction with a police officer similar to how you behave with a family member? Again, unlikely. We tend to adjust our style based on our circumstances and company; and often we do so unwittingly. But in the practice of law, with words as our tools, it’s not enough to simply convey thoughts. We must have a deeper awareness of how we are communicating.

Think back to the last time you took a flight. Depending on the airline, boarding your plane was either a breeze or a scramble, and the experience may have shaped the rest of your trip. The same is true for new clients, specifically once you have taken on their case. A client’s introduction to your practice can affect the entire course of the representation.

Poor client communication is one of the most common factors in malpractice claims and bar complaints. To avoid these issues and enhance your legal services, consider the following tips.

As many business law practitioners are aware, a new federal law called the Corporate Transparency Act took effect on January 1, 2024. The wide-reaching legislation imposes new reporting requirements on most small and medium-sized businesses, individuals with ownership interest or control in those entities, and the lawyers or other legal professionals involved in their formation. Failure to comply with the strict reporting deadlines may carry civil and/or criminal penalties.

Clear communication with pro se parties can help prevent misunderstandings and allow you to better work with them and obtain the information you need to represent your client competently and diligently. Focus on building a professional relationship with them that clearly defines roles and interests. Consider the following tips when interacting with a self-represented litigant to help avoid potential ethics or malpractice issues.

The email domain that Oregon’s circuit courts and the Oregon Tax Court use to send notices has changed. Here are instructions for how to add a domain name to your Safe Senders List in Outlook.

Effective September 20, 2023, the email domain that Oregon circuit courts and the Oregon Tax Court uses to send electronic notices of court hearings, orders, and judgments has changed.

These days, video and audio calls are the new standard. Consider incorporating audioconferencing into your practice if you haven’t already done so.

If you want to improve your meeting management skills, take your inspiration from the conductor.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a one-minute video equals 1.8 million words. This article will discuss three ways to use video to run a better practice, reduce potential malpractice, and improve your bottom line. It will conclude with a step-by-step tutorial on how to make videos for your staff in Microsoft Teams

Meeting with a potential client may sometimes feel like walking a tightrope. It can be difficult to end the intake without any misunderstandings or unintended promises. When someone believes an attorney-client relationship has formed but you do not, a real danger exists. As the attorney, it is your role and responsibility to clearly communicate when an attorney-client relationship is established and when it is not, no matter the marketing medium.

To prevent mishaps and errors, you may need to evaluate how cases proceed through your office. Having a smooth process can avoid inaccuracies and save time. You can be more efficient if you have a well-defined and planned workflow for you and your staff.

End the Friday feeling well with emotional well-being!

Let's connect this Thursday with Social Well-Being!

Let's engage this Wednesday with Career and Intellectual Well-Being!

Let's align this Tuesday with Spiritual Well-Being!

How Physical Well-Being fits into the role of a lawyer.

The OAAP is excited to bring you blog posts and resources to enhance your well-being. Each day

Many malpractice claims arise from a client

Regardless of the practice area, many attorneys are now facing the dilemma of losing track of their clients. The pandemic, and most recently wildfires on the West Coast, has upended many people

As we move forward and adjust to the changing infrastructure due to the pandemic, it is a good time to think about what type of phone system works best for your law firm. Phone calls remain a very popular form of communication, despite other methods such as email, video conferencing, and client portals, and may be the preferred method depending on the circumstances.

Client portals allow lawyers to interact with clients in a secure environment to accomplish tasks such as gathering information, sharing documents, and making payments for services. They can be a valuable tool for lawyers, so consider implementing them into your practice if you haven't already.