Posts

Walk-In: Physical Data Security Is Back In Play

Image
While most law firms are almost entirely focused on cloud-based security, a recent warning from the FBI indicates that an organization called the Silent Ransom Group , has its members walking into law firms, convincing staff that the y are the law firm IT team , and plugging thumbdrives into computers, to steal sensitive data .  These in-person attempts often follow failed phishing attempts.   Now, it’s not like physical data security was ever not in play – it’s just that many law firm owners ignore it, instead of focusing on cloud security . . . at their peril.   Any data security program should have a component reflecting physical security.   If you’re wondering why, ask yourself whether you or your staff would appropriately vet the type of scheme described above?     If you haven’t yet drafted a data security program for your law firm, this would be a s good an incentive to do so as any .   That need not be a long document, bu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Inquire Within: How to Hire Inexperienced Staff

Image
Job seekers , who are new to the game , often make the complaint that every job requires experience . . . and yet, one needs a job in th e space, to acquire the requisite experience.  It’s a ‘Catch-22’ for them, for sure.     But, it’s also no walk in the park for employers.  If a business owner wants to hire someone who lacks specific experience for the job, what exactly is the criteria one can use to judge between candidates?  You, quite literally, can’t know whether this person can do the job – until you give them the chance to do it .     That all being said, there are some things that you can do, to suss out whether somebody , who’s effectively a noob , can work for you.     One thing to look for is characteristics, or personality attributes.  These show up on traditional job postings, all the time.   This is when you’re trying to determine whether someone is a ‘self-starter’, or if they have the wherewithal necessary ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Launch Angle: How Do You Fund a New Law Firm?

Image
When you’re starting a new law firm, the big question is how you afford it; and, you don’t want to guess.     At the very least, you want to understand what your runaway is: If I don’t make any money doing this, how long until I run out of money to support myself?     That answer’s different for everybody; and, it helps if you have a life partner, who can keep the wheels moving, while you’re a start - up.     The related question is: How long does it take the new business to become self-supporting ?   In other words, when you do make enough money from it to pay for (1) a salary/your personal expenses; and then, (2) ongoing business expenses.     Once you get there, you can breath a sigh of relief, and start focusing on profit.     But, if you don’t have a spouse, or a significant amount of savings to tap into, or even a book of business to port over from another law firm – you’ve got to grind to make it work, because, ...
Post a Comment
Read more