In transition? Don’t let it bring you down

I just recieved a great article from Michael Moore Esq. and wanted to share it in it's entirety.

Lawyers are facing an unprecedented period of transition. Good lawyers who’ve done everything right are now unemployed. Ambitious, bright law students have no jobs. Many other lawyers face reduced hours, reduced pay, and lateral options appear limited. In these challenging times, every lawyer should know any transition, no matter how difficult, can be turned into an opportunity.

My own career includes transitions from private practice to corporate counsel to legal coach. Certain fundamental tactics give any lawyer the ability to make successful transitions. These tactics may appear disarmingly simple. However, if you execute them on a regular and consistent basis, you can create a positive transition.

First, take a deep breath and focus

In my 25-year career I have been downsized, right-sized and outsourced. In each case, taking the time to make a plan created a successful transition. Assess your skills, work your network, and be creative. Use resources available to you. Stay current in your area of law. Set realistic daily goals for your job search, and do your best to meet them. Develop a rhythm that works for you. Exercise. Enjoy your family. Hang out with friends. Read an absorbing novel. Remind yourself of the things for which you are grateful, your employment status notwithstanding.

Don’t bury your head in the sand

You are not alone. Thousands of lawyers are in the same situation. Avoid the temptation to isolate yourself. In challenging times, personal connections offer the most direct route to discovering opportunities. I personally use LinkedIn and Facebook as well as email and phone calls. Join groups on LinkedIn and contribute to the discussions going on. Use Facebook to keep in touch, locate old contacts, and expand and enhance your network. People prefer to hire and work with those they know, like, and trust. To become known, liked, and trusted, it’s critical to interact with the same people on a continuing basis.

Get smarter

Broaden your skill base, write articles, and seek out speaking engagements. Find CLE seminars or other training opportunities, read books and journals, or consider working with a professional coach. Your first response might be that you don’t want to spend money on education (formal or otherwise) right now, but that’s exactly the wrong response. Be selective, and choose learning opportunities that will give you the skills and knowledge to gain a competitive advantage.

Learn Business 101

Law is a business, and depending on the size of your firm you may need to develop basic business knowledge and management skills. Take charge of your career; learn to think like an owner, and focus on those things you can control. You must also learn about your clients’ businesses. One frequent complaint from clients is that their lawyers don’t always understand the context of a representation or how a certain issue fits into the bigger business picture.

Be a listener

You will be most effective in offering assistance to clients or network sources if you first ask questions and practice effective listening skills. Lawyers often take on the role of the expert too quickly, offering solutions before fully appreciating the depth of the problem or the desired outcome. Pay attention not just to the words but also to tone of voice, word choice, body language, and other nonverbal communication.

90 percent of success is just showing up

Successful lawyers understand the need to network with clients, potential clients, referral sources, and other contacts now more than ever before. They also understand the need to connect with one another. Building strong connections with reliable confidants offers an antidote to many of life’s challenges. My rule of thumb is to always have a full two weeks on your calendar of connections. Include breakfasts, lunches, or just-for-coffee get-togethers. When you show up with the right people in the right way, you become a top-of-mind presence with your contacts.

If you are seeking a new opportunity, joining a group of lawyers with a similar goal can help you keep your focus without becoming discouraged about the inevitable disappointments.
These fundamental tactics will help any lawyer make a successful transition. Trust that all of your efforts will ultimately yield to a positive outcome, the only variable being precisely how long it will take. Present yourself to the market, to clients, and to your network by communicating a message of confidence and optimism. Remember, for those who plan with audacity and execute with vigor, progress is the magnificent byproduct.

Michael Moore, Lewis and Clark 1983, is a professional coach for lawyers and the founder of Moore’s Law, Milwaukee. He specializes in marketing, client development, and leadership coaching for attorneys at all levels of experience. Moore also advises law firms on strategic planning and resource optimization. He has more than 25 years’ experience in private practice, as a general counsel, in law firm management, and in legal recruiting. For more information, visit http://www.moores-law.com/.

For information on Advantage Legal Seminars CLE programs call (888) 267-6097 or go to www.AdvantageLegalSeminars.com

Five Steps for Succeeding In a Difficult Economy

If you are struggling in today's economy and are looking for ways to secure your position or are one of the thosands of people in the United States that are looking for a new job opportunity here are five basic rules to live by.

Attitude Is Everything!

The individuals that are going to succeed in this economy, must have a positive attitude regarding their employment situation. If they can have a positive attitude regarding their employment situation. There are a the vast amount of opportunities e for employment for the right person in the United States you just have to keep your focus!


Employees Need to Look for Ways to Expand Their Levels of Expertise.

The individual that broadens their skill level enhances their ability to retain their position. In addition they will notice with the new skills they have acquired their future employment opportunities will be enhanced.


Have a Game Plan for Success.

In this world, successful people all have a game plan for success with planned action steps for their achievement. This is a must if you're to retain your job or are just looking for opportunities on the horizon. This must be a written and well thought out plan.

Persistence and Perseverance the Keys to Winning the Big Game.

Many people in this world, including world-class athletes, stopped just short of success. The importance of persistence and perseverance cannot be understated. If you're looking to retain your job or if you're searching for a new career.

Decide Whether or Not You're Truly Doing What You Love to Do.

It's been my experience that the more you do what you love to do, the more fun you will have and generally the more money you will make. This just may be a great time to make a career change and do something you've always wanted to do. There are more opportunities than ever before in different segments of our economy for individuals with a great attitude, an excellent set of skills, and a game plan for success that they're willing to follow until they achieve their goals.



Dr. Rick Goodman speaks from real -Life experiences and achieves great results! Dr Rick’s newest book Living a Championship Life "A Game Plan for Success" has been widely acclaimed since its release.

Dr. Rick Goodman is a professional speaker and author who will give your audience specific tools and systems that get great results.

Dr. Rick is also the President of Advantage Legal Seminars one of the leading providers for online continuing legal education in the United States. For more information on Rick's speaking programs Consulting Programs and Training programs contact (888) 267-6098 or on the web at www.DrRickGoodman.com

For information on Advantage Legal Seminars CLE programs go to www.AdvantageLegalSeminars.com

Understanding The Annual Federal 529 Gift Tax Exclusion

The annual federal 529 gift tax exclusion is available for parents and grandparents who make contributions to the section 529 plan on behalf of their child or grandchild. The amount is $12,000 (or $24,000 for married joint filers) per year, per child.



Simply stated, you can contribute up to $12,000 without incurring a federal gift tax. Any amount exceeding the 529 gift tax exclusion limit is considered a taxable gift and must be reported on your federal gift tax return.


Ways to Benefit from the 529 gift tax exclusion


There are ways to make large contributions as a 529 gift tax exclusion and avoid paying the gift tax. You can contribute one lump sum that is equal to five times the annual amount, up to $60,000 and still avoid the gift tax. The lump sum payment is treated as if you made the contributions evenly over a five year period. Any amount beyond the $60,000 within the same five year period is subject to the gift tax.


Another benefit to the 529 gift tax exclusion is that you can move assets from your estate that is otherwise taxable and still have ownership and control of those assets.


Misconceptions About the 529 gift tax exclusion


Parents and grandparents are often confused about the tax rules concerning the 529 gift tax exclusion. Some people assume that money given to someone for any purpose is taxable income that must be reported. The annual 529 gift tax exclusion is separate from income reported on your tax return. This income includes wages and profits from a business.


The gift tax is related to estate taxes that the government charges a person who dies with an excessive amount of money. Any person who dies in the United States with more than $2 million is charged a death tax if the excess amount goes to anyone other than their spouse.


The IRS has placed limits on the amount a person can gift to a person in one year. This is to prevent someone from giving away all of their money before they die to avoid paying estate tax. The current amount is $12,000 per recipient, per year. Any amount above the $12,000 is subtracted from the $2 million limit.


Another misconception many have about the 529 gift tax exclusion is that this amount is not taxed. The recipient of the gift amount that exceeds the estate tax exemption is taxed for that amount if you, the donor, are still alive and refuses to pay the gift tax.

Advantage Legal Seminars is one of the leading providrs of continuing legal education in the U.S. for more information on Advantage Legal Seminars CLE programs go to http://www.advantagelegalseminars.com/ or call (888) 267-6097