In a tough economy, it’s tempting to see staff as fat to be cut from the firm’s payroll. But with proper training and motivation, staff members can become key players in building your firm’s future.

YourABA, monthly enews published by the American Bar Association, recently spoke with Robert Kohn who—along with his brother Lawrence Kohn—is the author of Selling in Your Comfort Zone: Safe and Effective Strategies for Developing New Clients. Both Kohns are successful marketing and sales consultants.

It’s been several years since we’ve dealt with remote access solutions. Wow, have things changed fast. Technology advances in this area have come at warp speed. Gone are the days when you carried around a fifty foot phone cord and kept looking for an analog phone jack that could be used with the modem in your laptop.

Many clients are seeking an alternative to hourly billing as a way to better manage their legal costs. But before offering any new arrangements, especially in uncertain financial times, law firms must be aware of the risks involved and how to contain them.

Not sure if your career is headed in the right direction? Consider these five key areas and learn what steps to take to regain control over your career and your future.

Cutting fees to keep clients is the start of a slippery slope. But there are ways to break the discounting cycle and improve your chances of being paid what you’re worth.

Ask the Coach: Speaking Follow-up

Client selection is even more important during an economic downturn, especially for solo practitioners and lawyers with small practices who might feel pressure to ignore the risk and accept a client or case outside their practice area.

As the economic crisis deepens, it’s time to re-evaluate your marketing efforts. Here are five steps you can take to boost your firm, now and in the future.

Ask the Coach: How can I increase the ROI from my marketing efforts?