Scott Swenson is a trusts & estates partner with Connolly Gallagher, LLP in Delaware, which is also an ILN member firm. In this episode, Lindsay and Scott discuss the transition between practicing law and managing your practice, what Scott sees as the role of lawyers and estates lawyers in particular, and how continuous learning keeps the practice fresh.

You can listen to the podcast here, or we’ve provided a transcript of the highlights below. Continue Reading Law Firm ILN-telligence Podcast | Scott Swenson, Connolly Gallagher LLP

There have been many jokes and memes about how we have all forgotten the most basic of social skills after being locked down for two years.

But in all seriousness, it sometimes feels like when you don’t flex a certain “muscle,” you forget how to use it. In some ways, the last two years have really dragged on, but in others, they’ve flown by. So it can come as a surprise when you’re getting excited to return to that first in-person event only to realize that you may feel a little rusty. Continue Reading Help! I’ve Forgotten How to Network!

Leen Hooites is a tax and insolvency partner with PlasBossinade Advocaten in Groningen in the Netherlands, which is also an ILN member firm. In this episode, Lindsay and Leen consider the benefits of the firm’s ability to renovate and invest in technology at the start of the pandemic, the importance of in-person engagement despite the efficiency and effectiveness of remote working, and our collective contributions to improving the world around us.

You can listen to the podcast here, or we’ve provided a transcript of the highlights below. Continue Reading Law Firm ILN-telligence Podcast | Leen Hooites, PlasBossinade Advocaten

Recently, I saw a quote that said that adulthood is not one crisis after another, it’s multiple crises, simultaneously, forever.

Is anyone else feeling that way lately?

We had a little bit of a breather this morning when we found out that our Ukrainian colleagues are making their way from Kyiv to safety, but the war for too many continues and the choice to have to leave their homes is a terrible and heartbreaking one. One they shouldn’t have had to make. Should anyone wish to contribute to a reputable NGO, the ILN’s chair recommends this one, which has a long track record – they have been embedded in Ukraine since 2014 and are already supplying Lviv and other places with humanitarian aid. Continue Reading Leadership Lessons: Navigating a Crisis

Tomorrow is officially the 13th “blogiversary” for Zen & the Art of Legal Networking. At times, it’s difficult to believe that I’ve been writing in this corner of the blogosphere for so long and at other times, it’s flown by. This year in particular has been a lot and it’s hard to find the words to share with you all.

Traditionally, I use this post to either reflect on where we’ve been or what I’ve learned and I appreciate the opportunity to do that each year. It’s not often that we’re able to slow down and take a look back. Continue Reading Happy 13th Blogiversary to Zen & the Art of Legal Networking!

If you’ve been here a while, you know that I like to look back to find out whether the predictions that we made in the past ever came true – we know that the legal market likes to move slowly, but how slowly? Is the industry that we imagined ten or fifteen years ago where we really are today?

It’s hard to believe that the great recession was 13/14 years ago already, but it’s true. And that means that in the years following the recession, we were all making big promises for change and a “new normal.” (I know, I know, we’re entering yet another “new normal” following the pandemic, which of course only reminds us that the only constant is change.) Continue Reading Did We Ever Adjust to that “New Normal”?

It’s the middle of February. In many places, it’s cold and dreary and it’s a wee bit hard to feel motivated. You may recall that a couple of weeks ago, we talked about resolving to throw out your business development plan so that you could start fresh and see what is truly working and what isn’t – now it’s time for phase two.

Resolve to try something new. 

Another area where it’s easy to get stuck when planning is the temptation to just alter or continue what you’ve been doing all along. Continue Reading Resolve to Try Something New

Today, we’re bringing you a special guest post, from one of the ILN’s marketing professionals! Alina Crisu is the PR & Communication Associate with LLPO Law Firm in Cyprus and she’s got some great advice on optimizing your website to give you a competitive edge in your market.

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Crowded markets are plentiful with potential clients and competitors to learn from. But how to run a remarkable business in such a crowded place? And how to make a potential client choose to pay attention to your business and services? Continue Reading Optimisation – the key to success in a crowded market

What better way to celebrate International Networking Week with a throwback to a post I wrote about international networking (updated for these modern times)?

With virtual platforms bringing us even closer together these days, the ability for us to connect with counterparts from across borders is easier than ever. But that means we can’t forget that everyone doesn’t do business in the same way that we do. That’s incredibly fun because it means we get to learn about other people and cultures, but there can also be a few pitfalls. Entrepreneur shared this great article back in 2014 on the keys to success for navigating networking internationally and I added a fifth suggestion based on my own experience – these five tips hold true today. Continue Reading 5 Ways to Be Intentional About Your International Networking

Jussi Laakkonen is a partner and CEO with Fenno Attorneys at Law, the ILN’s Finnish law firm. In this episode, Lindsay and Jussi discuss the challenges of lawyer wellbeing as the world opens up post-pandemic, how mentorship has impacted both him and his firm, and his hopes for the future law firm.

You can listen to the podcast here, or we’ve provided a transcript of the highlights below.

Continue Reading Law Firm ILN-telligence Podcast | Jussi Laakkonen | Fenno Attorneys at Law