{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"LMME 061 : How to prepare your law firm for the unexpected...","description":"In today's episode, I wanted to reflect on some of the personal struggles I had to deal with last month in the wake of my Mom's passing. As a solo attorney, dealing with a major life event such as the death of a loved one, divorce, prolonged illness or any number of other issues can have a huge impact on your life and your livelihood.\r\nToday I will be discussing how I dealt with the loss of my mother from the perspective of a law firm owner, and how you can prepare yourself, now, for one of these horrible and unexpected life events.\r\nEnjoy!\r\nRight click here to download the mp3\r\nItems Mentioned in the Podcast\r\n\r\nMyCase - The case management system I use.\r\nBox.com - My online file repository.\r\nDropbox - Used to hold and backup private files that I don't want to share with others, or for podcasts that I need to share with staff.\r\nGoogle Drive - Can be used to maintain files online. Completely free.\r\nSlack for messaging between you and staff\r\nTraffic and Conversion Summit 2016\r\n\r\nAnother resource to consider: 10 Benefits of Moving to a Paperless Law Office\r\nIn this particular episode, you will learn:\r\nEight steps you can take to prepare yourself for the unexpected, including:\r\n\r\nBe Prepared. Have some money in savings to draw on when the unexpected happens.\r\nKeep everyone in the loop (clients, opposing attorneys, the courts, etc.). Cancel or reschedule appointments as appropriate.\r\nRecurring Revenue. Start thinking about how you can bring a subscription model into your law practice to even out cash flows when times get tough.\r\nBecome location independent. If you don't already have access to your law practice remotely, start thinking about how you can put systems in place that allow you to continue to practice from anywhere on Earth.\r\nThink of your law practice as a business that exists without you. Start to build a practice that works when you aren’t there – this is the essence of a true business.\r\nWhat if you don't have enough cash?  If you don’t have enough cash flow to pay everything, put off the non-essential bills for a couple weeks. Contact your vendors and let them know what is going on.\r\nWhen the dust settles... Re-evaluate your practice and your systems. Revisit your goals and make sure you stay on track. This experience can completely unravel some attorneys – some may decide it is time to close up shop (and that may be the best option for may lawyers), but others will thrive in the wake of this experience.\r\nTake as much time as you need. The cases and clients will still be there when you get through this. Make sure you take the time you need to recover mentally or to be with loved ones.\r\n\r\nAction Items\r\n\r\nFollow Legal Marketing Made Easy on Twitter\r\nPost a review of the Legal Marketing Made Easy Podcast on iTunes and if you like what you heard today, then share with your friends on Twitter using this link.\r\n","author_name":"Legal Marketing Made Easy with Jim Hart","author_url":"http:\/\/jimhart.libsyn.com","html":"