Chuck Newton

Is This Anyway to Advertise? Does The Bar Have A Right To Regulate Good Taste?

Carolyn Elefant at MyShingle has posted about DivorceEZ.Com and attorney Steve Miller's problem getting approval by the Florida Bar for his TV spot.  The Florida bar says The ad is a "verbal depiction" whose language promises a particular result, both of which are banned in Florida.  In short, the Florida Bar has banned the 1st Amendment.  You cannot "verbally depict" the services you are attempting to provide?  As for promising a particular result, that is a problem in Texas as well.  You just have to state you "may" be able to "get rid of that vermin you call a spouse".

Lawyers Practice As An Example To Their Clients

Dan Nunley says that we lawyers should be living examples for our clients and not act out our clients' aggression.  In his Oklahoma Family Lawyer Blog Dan states:

Recently I shared my opinion that the best lawyers are also nice people. I have also shared my belief that some attorneys think that lawyering requires incivility in their interactions with opposing counsel. These attorneys practice law with the misconception that real lawyering requires Rambo-like, scorched-earth strategies and tactics. Now it may be the case that these attorneys are not mean in and of themselves, but are simply effectuating the desires of their clients for a pound of flesh. Even so, attorneys are not supposed to be mere puppets on a string. Clients are not supposed to dictate legal tactics and strategies.

My Savings Plan

A Place To Search For Law Articles

I have to thank Robert Ambrogi for directing me to Litilaw, which publishes articles written by lawyers and litigators by category and in database fashion.  Therefore, you can better search for what you want or need to read.  There is nothing better than a legal article when you are looking for an overview of a legal topic.  I went to the site after reading Robert Ambrogi's post on the service, and amazingly found an article written on a subject I need to know something about.  That was a lifesaver.  I appreciate the tip.  The site is by Lexbe, the maker of trail prep and litigation management software.

A Mouse In Hand

The Third Wave practice of law might have one drawback, but I suspect it is one of the same impairments that arise in the course of running a traditional law practice as well.  I would just prefer to be stuck in front of my computer all day at home than to drive miles and miles round trip each day to have the privilege of sitting down in front of my computer at work.  To commune with your computer is one thing, but to travel to establish contact with it is another thing entirely.  The truth of the matters is that many or most lawyers find themselves strapped to their computer at work only to go home to play with it some more.  And do not even get me started on PDAs.

I Would Like You To Meet Denis Kucharski

I would like you to meet Denis Kucharski of Medina, Ohio.  Denis appreciates, understands and is applying the Third Wave to his practice of law.  He recently wrote to me:

Dear Chuck:

I greatly enjoyed reading about your website regarding Third Wave Lawyering.  I couldn't agree with you more. In fact, I have done much of the same myself--I became a member of the Ohio bar on May 8, 2006 and now run my own solo practice.  While my friends were looking for traditional firm jobs and working for the government, I set up my law practice by renting a one room office, using call forwarding to answer my phone calls, advertising via the Internet, being my own secretary and doing all of my legal research online from my home office.  My schedule is completely my own--I meet with clients by appointment.  At first it made me feel guilty to not be somewhere, like I didn't really have a job, but now I am getting used to this new way of life.  Reading your website helped me to realize that the way we do things is indeed the way of the future and that traditional law practice is changing.  We are ahead of the game.  The Third Wave has arrived.  Most of all, it feels nice to be one's own boss, to have more freedom and to be able to balance one's work-life.  The technological changes provided by the Internet have really changed our world for the better.

Denis gets it.  We all understand that "guilty" pleasure he feels.  At first you just feel like you are cheating or that you are doing something wrong.  You are worried that other lawyers will find out when they hear the dog expectantly bark in the background or something.  Then you come to realize the problem is not with you.  It is with them and the traditional practice of law.  When I quit hiding what I do, I felt better.  My blog has finally given up the deep, dark secret that I do not pay high rent, I do not employ costly staff, I shun infrastructure, and I do not commute to work.

Best of luck Denis.  If anybody has any advice for Denis, just comment here.

You Just Need To Apply Yourself - Cartoon

This cartoon applies to starting your own law firm in a humorous way.  It reminds me of Steve Martin's old joke about how to become rich and famous.  Step one, get a million dollars...

I Liked This Spoofy Video On Working At Home

Rat Pack Friday - Frank Sinatra - "That's Life!"

Congratulations To South Texas College Of Law

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my daughter, Mary Newton, going to the University of Houston Law Center I forget that my wife and I both graduated from South Texas College of Law in downtown Houston, Texas.  Apart from the gentle rivalry between the two, STCL is a great school with a wonderful reputation.  It excels at trial advocacy in which it is the reigning champ.  Recently, STCL won The National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition held at William and Mary Law School in Virginia.  More impressive, this is the 95th national trial advocacy title won by STCL.  Nobody else comes close.  My daughter also got accepted to STCL but chose UH Law because it has a great reputation as well, and it is a state school with much cheaper tuition than STCL.  Also, STCL is just a little slow on the acceptances.  STCL also does not have a football team or a faculty blog, the latter of which it desperately needs.  (Post videos of your team at the competitions).  But, congratulations. nonetheless.