Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Personal injury attorney Joshua “Josh” Bonnici left his first job out of law school to launch his own firm. Starting from scratch, just nine months later he hired his first employee and has been growing ever since. Bonnici built on his own love of cycling to focus on bicycle accidents and injuries, helping bicyclists in the bustling city of San Diego.Now he’s known as “The Bike Guy” and stands out in the crowded personal injury field by specializing in an area he’s passionate about. He’s an example of specializing in something you love, and he’s sharing his story with new lawyers just starting out.Bonnici walks us through, step by step, how he took advantage of an available incubator system, learned on the job from a mentor, and built his practice and his reputation. Hear how he got started, networked, built a brand, made himself memorable, and hired an assistant to make himself more productive. Real lessons from real life. Got questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com  Topics: “Follow your passion” is common advice. But in the case of guest Josua Bonnici, his passion for bicycling helped him stand out in the crowded personal injury field.  Hiring your first employee. Why it’s scary and why it’s necessary. How to develop a website and social media presence with a library of videos and testimonials.   Resources:California Lawyers AssociationThomas Jefferson School of LawSan Diego Bar Association Joshua Bonnici previous appearance on Legal Talk Network’s “On The Road” podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been over a week and no firm has yet to announce that it will match Milbank's latest series of raises. Or, more accurately, cost of living adjustments. Meanwhile, Cravath took the plunge on income partnerships, becoming the latest firm to abandon the time-honored one-tier partnership model. And the turmoil over Nixon Peabody's effort to sneak Donald Trump onboard as a client sparks calls for leadership change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legal professionals are not immune to the pull of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts. Some are even using short-form videos to inform clients about their law practice; build their business or brand; or shed light on the culture of BigLaw, crafting short-form video content giving an insider look at the profession.Among them is Alex Su, a former lawyer and head of community development at Ironclad, a contract management software company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode Five of Results Don’t Lie, defense experts take the stand. But a few things aren’t adding up, and Tim and Johnny discover missing records that could derail the entire defense. Hear the stunning multi-million dollar verdict, the definitive appeal decision, and the positive impact this case made upon the American medical system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of our winning case analysis, Amy Gunn and Liz Lenivy discuss witness prep, damages and dubious defense tactics. Win or lose, big cases can take a toll on attorneys, and Amy candidly shares how she will recharge her resolve and routine after celebrating one of the biggest verdicts in her career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:  We start with an attorney who wants to create a fair referral compensation policy for his associate, a “grinder” who does everything asked. Recently, through a contact, the associate started bringing in new business. How does a firm set up a referral fee schedule? What’s fair to the associate and the firm? How to create effective, inviting “meet the attorney” videos as a relationship-building step with potential clients. What to include? What topics? How personal? Where do you post them on your website, or do you control when a potential client sees these?  When it’s time for a managing attorney or a director of operations, start by understanding the duties of each position and the experiences needed. One position requires a background in law; the other needs experience running a business (that includes facilities management, finance, and the overall operation of your office).  Mentioned in This Episode:Robert’s previous appearance on the Community Table “Community Table: Using Vacations to Strengthen Company Culture” WizeHire Legal Recruiting LinkedIn Talent SolutionsJoin the next Community Table live. What’s on your mind? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you been nervous about saying yes to a virtual assistant? In this episode, Stephanie talks with Raquel Gomes and Demetrio Rico, founders of Stafi, about why a VA may be the missing link for your team’s growth, how to get started with the process, and tips to making the relationship a success. Bonus! Listen to the end to learn about an exclusive discount Stafi is offering Lawyerist’s listeners! Links from the episode: Check out Stafi and reference Lawyerist to claim your discount! If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! About Stafi Stafi is a virtual staffing company that provides highly qualified virtual staff to law firms. They go beyond just providing staff by offering HR support, onboarding, management, and continued education for the staff they assign. They ensure the quality of their professionals through a rigorous vetting and screening process, and address concerns about security and reliability by implementing measures such as background checks, training, and backup plans for power outages.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Experts discuss how legal services contribute to veteran suicide prevention on LSC's “Talk Justice” podcast. The most recent data places the veteran suicide rate at 57% higher than non-veterans. Research indicates that social factors contribute to veterans’ suicide risk. Many of these factors that harm veterans’ mental health relate to civil legal problems that can be addressed with the help of an attorney. For more information on veterans’ legal needs and helpful resources, visit lsc.gov/spotlight-veterans-rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In August of this year, the Michigan Task Force on Well-Being in the Law released a comprehensive report outlining current recommendations for supporting law student, lawyer, and judicial wellness. JoAnn Hathaway talks with co-chairs of the task force Molly Ranns and Justice Megan Cavanagh about their efforts to address common struggles in the profession, including high rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use. The task force also aims to form an ongoing Commission on Well-Being in the Law which would focus on promoting a healthier culture within all spheres of the profession. Read the full report here: MICHIGAN TASK FORCE ON WELL-BEING IN THE LAWAnd find more information on the commission at: onecourtofjustice.orgJustice Megan K. Cavanagh is an Associate Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the Georgetown Law Library, Art Law can be defined as “the body of law, involving numerous disciplines, that protects, regulates and facilitates the creation, use and marketing of art. Those involved in the practice of art law look to a variety of disciplines, such as intellectual property, contract, constitutional, tort, tax, commercial and international law to protect the interests of their clients.”In this episode, host Craig Williams is joined by guests, attorneys Gabrielle C. Wilson & Yaél M. Weitz from Kaye Spiegler, as they spotlight art law. They will discuss the emerging trend of colonial art restitution, stolen and misappropriated art, and how AI has impacted art and copyright law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices