Lawyer's Learning Center with DHIA

There are many reasons why billing is more difficult than it used to be. Adapting your billing practices can help you stay competitive. Tune in to this week's episode as we go over five quick tips to help you tackle the challenges of billing in your law firm. More Resources: Email Wire Fraud Scams Business Plan Guide for Growing Law Firms Email Disclaimer Worksheet Suggested Documentation Bes...

The way we communicate is constantly evolving, and this presents new challenges that can put attorney-client privilege at risk.  In this episode, we will be sharing two lists of best practices that can help you mitigate these risks by adopting efficient communication and data storage practices. While these lists are not comprehensive, they will provide you with a starting point to ensure that your...

Building trust with new clients is paramount, and word of mouth is what makes it the most powerful marketing tool for any business. Referrals and testimonials are how current clients branch the trust between you and others who may need your services.  Listen to this week's episode to go over some tips to start receiving client referrals. We're going over how receiving referrals begins wi...

Lawyers are in a field that requires them to give to society. However, lawyers still need to make money. So, are Free Consultations right for your law practice? In today's episode, we are going over 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of Free Consultations and the types of cases where you can offer them. More Resources: Business Plan Guide for Growing Law Firms Task Evaluation for an Efficient L...

Those who work in an organized office are more efficient and productive than those who work in a messy space. Your firm is likely one of your biggest assets and largest revenue production source, so it is safe to say that it’s worth the extra time to keep it tidy.  Listen to this week's episode for quick tips to tackle the organization gaps in your office. -- Clean It Up De-Clutter Remove Org...

In this episode we are re-evaluating the pricing structures of law firms. Are you still solely relying on timesheets to bill your clients? You won't want to miss this episode.  Listen in as we go over the downsides of timesheets, the upsides of project-based pricing, and where timesheets may always have their place.  Enjoy better relationships with your clients and a competitive edge for your...

Law school does not prepare you for the business side of running a law firm. Understanding the fundamental components of developing a business plan for your law firm is essential to success. In this week's episode we go over creating business plan objectives and the 5 key components to designing your Law Firm Business Plan. We created a guided template that you can use to jumpstart your plan!...

Managing expenses is critical for small law firms and small businesses. But you can’t neglect cyber security and basic effectiveness of your IT systems. Plan for success. That starts with knowing your options. Zac Wilcoxen runs Pretect managed IT services. He brings big-company IT expertise to small businesses – even solo practitioner law firms. Zac sat down for an interview and answered the follo...

Change does not come naturally. But learning to leverage every tool at your disposal is often the difference between an average and exceptional law practice. Practice management software is the digital backbone of the modern law firm. It protects your firm from malpractice risks, automates client communications, tracks billable hours, streamlines pipeline review processes, and can potentially even...

Purchasing software is challenging for any business. It’s even harder for law firms. But the latest software is critical for keeping your firm competitive.   Kory Kelly is a tech entrepreneur who helps law firms use software to increase efficiency and boost profits. He sat down for an interview and helped us understand the differences between practice management software and customer relationship...

The way we practice law is changing.  Technology is not the enemy, but rather an aid providing relief in the legal industry. It is important that law firms modernize their tech stack and workforce. Embracing the digital age and its new business models will bring many benefits to your practice. Invest the time and money into restructuring your outdated practices and start expanding the profits of y...

You’re on the hook. And you probably have no idea. You’ve made everything secure. And then you got sued. How did this happen? The reality is you have unknown risk. It’s confounding.  In this episode, we answer the following questions to help explain it: Who owns the data when you’re using a third-party payment processor? Who does the law prosecute for a data breach if you’ve used a third-party pay...

Cyber liability insurance is one of the bargains of the insurance industry. Like an umbrella policy, it provides broad coverage at a low cost. Most importantly, you don't want a cyber claim covered by other liability policies. In this episode we'll be going over: What influences the cost of cyber liability insurance Ways to minimize the cost of cyber liability insurance Choosing specific...

Cyberattacks and data breaches hit companies of all sizes. To the surprise of many, it's the small and medium-sized businesses that get hit more. It's not a matter of "if", it's "when".  When a cyberattack hits your business, will you be prepared to manage the crisis? Zac Wilcoxen, who runs Pretect managed IT services, sat down for an interview and answered the f...

One of hackers’ top targets is proving to be the legal industry due to the type and volume of data held by firms and the judicial system. Law firms who want to stay ahead of cyber threats must change their playbooks. The playbook overview involves: Quantify your risk and make a plan. Outline how current cybersecurity processes, policies and tools can or can’t handle each scenario or disruption. Co...

Education and preparation are the most important tools to protect against a data breach . Phishing emails and cyberattacks touch an entire company. Can you think of anything more paralyzing than an employee realizing they just imperiled the entire company by clicking on “that email?” Zac Wilcoxen runs Pretect managed IT services. He helps companies manage their risk and equip employees for cyber s...

You’ve been hit with a cyberattack. Now what? Who do you owe money to? What regulations are you subject to? How do you handle it? Who can you turn to for help? Whitney Tabash, a Broker with All Risks, Ltd, recently sat down for an interview and answered the following questions: What fines do you owe after a breach? How do businesses know how they need to respond to a cyberattack? What about small...

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released an updated Cybersecurity Framework that outlines recommendations for organizations to improve their cybersecurity measures.  In this episode, we’ll cover some key takeaways from the NIST guidelines that you can implement today. More Resources: Cyber Liability Self-Assessment Request a Quick Cyber Insurance Estimate     ════════════...

Whitney Tabash, a Broker with All Risks, Ltd., sat down for an interview and answered the following questions: Do small businesses need to worry about cyber threats? How much does a small business stand to lose in a cyberattack? Are there claims that are more common with small businesses? Why are small businesses especially vulnerable? Every big business knows a breach will happen.  So, their plan...

In this episode, we are diving into what makes a law firm attractive to cybercriminals.  Learn why law firms, big and small, are targets and what specific vulnerabilities lie in the legal industry. We’ll also hit on four steps you can take right now to help protect your firm. It is imperative for all lawyers and other business owners alike to remember: hackers only need to find one way in. They sp...

Hackers never rest.  Their dark mission gives them a vicious motive to develop new ways to penetrate your organization’s technology and get hold of your sensitive information and personal data. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re immune.  Every business owner, big and small, is a target for cybercriminals.  Give yourself and your team the gift of cyber education to mitigate risk.   To help m...

Data breach insurance and cyber liability insurance are often used interchangeably, causing many to confuse the two. Is there actually a difference? Yes.  Listen to this week’s episode as we take a deeper look at each type of coverage to clarify the differences between the two.  We’ll also discuss what you should consider when looking for protection against a cyberattack. More Resources: Read more...

In this episode, we are going to touch on a few cost drivers of professional liability insurance to give you a better understanding of why it costs what it does, and what affects the cost.  Pieces of the pricing puzzle include: Your area of practice The state where you are located Coverage limits and deductibles Claims history How long you’ve been in practice Whether you’ve been covered all, some,...

In this episode, we are going to tackle the following questions as they pertain to lawyer’s professional liability insurance: Why Is It Important to Fully Disclose Areas of Practice (AOPs) and Prior Claims on Your Professional Liability Insurance Application? How Does Practice Management Software Make a Firm More Attractive to Carriers? How Can Attorneys Use Their Calendaring Process to Reduce Cla...

How to Switch Your Professional Liability Insurance Without Losing Coverage Be careful when switching your professional liability insurance policy.  There can be dangers if you don’t know what to watch out for.  It is important to identify changes in your coverage that could limit your protection.   In this episode, we are going to discuss some key things to understand and look for when considerin...