Demystifying Data Analytics on a Budget for Solos and Small Firms
I wrote this piece for TYL, The Young Lawyer, which is an American Bar Association Publication. It was originally published July 16, 2026. Summary Data analytics means using your own numbers to make decisions you would otherwise make by instinct. In a solo or small-firm practice, this can mean answering practical questions you face every […]
A Quick & Free Way to Find Cases Online: Google Scholar
If you frequently find yourself in need of a case for research purposes, to provide to a Court, or simply because you need an electronic copy to download to your tablet, the easiest and cheapest way to find it is to use Google Scholar. Whether you use Lexis, Westlaw, vLex (formerly Fastcase), Decisis, or some […]
Showing Your Phone Screen in Court or at a CLE Presentation
Back in 2011 I wrote a long technical post about mirroring an Android phone to a laptop using the Android SDK, Java, USB debugging mode, and a screen capture tool called Ashot. The use case was the same one I am about to describe. The procedure is unrecognizable now. The reasons a lawyer might want […]
For Whom Does Your Email Address Speak?
Originally posted in 2011. Updated May 2026. I am still surprised by how many lawyers use a free or ISP-based email address for client work. AOL hangs on as the Rodney Dangerfield of email. Hotmail became Outlook.com. Yahoo barely registers for professional use. Gmail dominates the free-email space. A quick search for “what your email […]
Practical Guidance for Ethically Changing Law Firms
Download Checklist for Ethically Changing Law Firms Most of us will change employers at some point or another during our legal careers. Unlike many types of jobs, lawyers have numerous ethical considerations that come with moving from one firm to another. Our obligations require us to take certain steps to protect the impacted clients during […]
Free Phone Service Using the Obi and Google Voice
Please note: This post is out of date. Obi has phased out free services. Landlines are so passe, aren’t they? I have been using VOIP for a while now, as have many people. I started with Vonage, moved to whatever cable provider I happened to have at the time (meaning I have experienced both Comcast […]
Slides from Webinar on Ethics and Security
Today, I presented a webinar on Ethics and Security for Law Firms During COVID-19. I discussed PA ethics rules relating to the obligation to keep data secure, setting up a home workspace, and common scams. Below are the slides. Law Firm Remote Work Securi… by Jennifer Ellis on Scribd
Why Every Lawyer Needs a Website
This blog post is a follow up to my video, Every Lawyer Should Have a Website. If you do not have a website for your firm, you are missing out on the best and least expensive way to market to potential clients. Today, in the time of COVID-19, lawyers need websites more than ever. Potential […]