Stephanie Francis Ward, a legal affairs writer, joined the ABA Journal staff in 2001. Stephanie had worked as a reporter for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and California Law Business, a publication of the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals. She earned her B.A. in journalism from California State University at Long Beach.
A lawyer at the National Center for Lesbian Rights says despite several legislative obstacles, many LGBTQ clients are finding support from churches, neighbors and schools.
"This idea that we’ll all be sitting at home practicing law, I don’t think that will work," says a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell.
Two civil rights attorneys are featured in this new Asked and Answered podcast, which is looking at how the practice of law has changed over the years.
Two family law lawyers say it’s much simpler representing clients now, thanks to virtual depositions and court hearings.
Two veteran litigators are featured in this month’s Asked and Answered podcast, which is looking at how litigation has changed over the years.
Two female recruiters are featured in this month’s Asked and Answered podcast, which is looking at how legal recruiting has changed over the years, including an incredibly hot job market for 2021.
This month’s Asked and Answered podcast looks at how work environments have changed for female law school faculty.
This month’s Asked and Answered podcast is looking at how advocacy has changed in the country’s highest court. It’s part of a special series on how lawyers’ work has changed over the...
A Harvard Law School student has been connecting with classmates and professors remotely over the past year.
Lawyer Patrick Krill learned to be more flexible during the pandemic, with inspiration from "Be Water," an ESPN documentary about martial artist and actor Bruce Lee.
Law dean Hari Osofsky wonders whether some aspects of the pandemic might stay with legal education, which she has thought was on the brink of significant change even before the pandemic.
Lawyer and author David Lat thinks remote working for lawyers is here for the foreseeable future, and that’s just one of the many significant changes that he sees the pandemic bringing to...
Lawyer and influencer Emily D. Baker thinks YouTube is a great place to teach people how the law works.
Howard Bashman of How Appealing discusses blogging during COVID-19 and how appellate work in Pennsylvania has changed in the pandemic.
Lawyer Beth Bourdon is willing to go places where other attorneys may be hesitant, including this summer when she joined Parler.
A Colorado law professor recently discussed how he incorporates mindfulness in his life and finding “pandemic positives” with ABA Journal Senior Writer Stephanie Francis Ward.
SCOTUS lawyer Jeffrey L. Fisher breaks down how he had to adapt during the coronavirus crisis for three recent Supreme Court cases that he argued.
Law professor April Dawson talks to Senior Writer Stephanie Francis Ward about finding creative ways to use technology in the classroom, even before the pandemic.
Karen Kaplowitz talks with the ABA Journal's Stephanie Francis Ward about how many people are discovering the benefits of long-term telecommuting and why they may continue to support the work schedules after...
Kenneth White, a former assistant U.S. attorney known as "Popehat" on Twitter, spoke with ABA Journal Senior Writer Stephanie Francis Ward about what he's been up to during the COVID-19 crisis.
Veena Dubal tells listeners about her experience with online trolls during the pandemic and how she deals with them.
Molly Coleman updates listeners on the latest going on in her life: moving back to her home, her decision to forgo the bar exam this year and postponing her wedding to 2021.
Brian Cuban chats about how he’s been focusing on what he can control during the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than what he can’t, and what he misses the most.
Colin Rule, Warren Agin, Sherrill Ellsworth, and Joshua Browder talk about how their apps are working to help detect and block sarcasm in texts between parents fighting with each other.
Ashley Halfman, Teresa Scanlan and Bill Alverson talk about the similarities between the pageant circuit, law school and the practice of law with pageant winners or working as a pageant coach.
Shauna Barnes share information with lawyers about how they can adjust to the world’s current situation—such as having to work from home, whether they want to or not.
Stephanie Francis Ward explores people’s changing views of laws inspired by Christian outlooks and whether it’s worth changing those laws, even if they are rarely if ever enforced.
Stephanie Francis Ward, host of Asked and Answered, speaks with three lawyers, Dustin Sullivan, Michael Beck and Jerry Buting, who are all involved in the world of reality television.
Ripa Rashid talks with Senior Writer Stephanie Francis Ward about how can firms keep female and minority lawyers from leaving their firms and the high cost for said firms when they depart.
Heidi Brown talks about how to navigate the office holiday party and still appear to be having fun and how to come out of your shell when you'd rather be alone.
Karen Kaplowitz talks about how newer and older lawyers can work together and discover unique business development opportunities, while also having more a diverse legal teams, and finding better ways to use...
Gary DuBoff talks about how to live within your means, how to figure out your set costs, and how to budget with what’s left over.
Gerard Gregoire offers his own public speaking tips for lawyers and explains why it’s important to be authentic and connect with your audience.
The past 10 years have brought a sea change to legal education, says Legal Rebel Rodney Smolla.
Michael Anspach talks about his road to success after law school, his self-care tips and how he learned to quiet his mind.
Max Miller give his thoughts on how to be a 'thought leader' without having to brand it on your Linkedin page.
Haley Taylor Schlitz talks about how she stays organized and discusses her summer planning before starting law school at Southern Methodist University this fall.
Mark Britton, founder of Avvo, gives listeners a dive into the company and talks about what his next steps will be while he's taking a break.
Patrick Krill speaks out about the issues and dangers of illegal prescription stimulants.
Valerie Fontaine of SeltzerFontaine speaks about potential slowdowns and how lawyers can be thinking ahead to recession-proof their practices.
Pete Wentz shares how to address online controversies at the right time and what commonly given legal advice turns out to be the least helpful in putting out fires.
Betsy Ziegler talks about her keynote addressing how advancements in technology will shape the legal industry in years to come.
Roula Allouch gives advice and information about tactics you can use to protect yourself from a bully on the bench without hurting your client's case.
Emery Harlan, co-founder of the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms, talks about how little has changed for diversity in the profession.
Samorn Selim shares what she learned about finding the right career fit.
Janet Taylor shares tips and tricks for conquering mounds of paperwork and constantly losing house keys.
Monica Goyal talks about new legal technology and why young lawyers nowadays aren't trying to experiment with it as much as we thought they would.
Gerard Pauling discusses the importance of context and non-verbal cues, and how firms can protect themselves from liability and their employees from experiencing harassment.
Janice Brown discusses how to be confident when speaking with a potential client, and gives listeners tips drawn from her own experience explaining legal fees and retainers.
Marsha Johnson-Blanco talks about how attorneys can help on Nov. 6.
Sondra Tennessee shares her advice on how students, parents and school administrators can foster students’ independence and success.
Nicole VanderDoes talks about the #MeToo movement and workplace sexual harassment in the legal industry.
Ty Smith talks about Vigilance Risk Solutions Inc., a security consulting business that focuses on workplace violence prevention.
Amy Porter on her experience founding the online payment platform AffiniPay and how she drew on her experience as a college athlete.
In this episode of the Asked and Answered: Lived and Learned series, Michele Coleman Mayes discusses improving your relationship with someone by using certain types of communication.
In this episode of the Asked and Answered: Lived and Learned series, Mia Yamamoto discusses the importance of fighting for those who come after you, and of advocating for yourself.
In this episode of the Asked and Answered: Lived and Learned series, Lucian Pera says that he's learned that everyone, including lawyers, can use an outside perspective.
In this episode of the Asked and Answered: Lived and Learned series, Cruz Reynoso discusses how his father's philosophy as a farmworker inspired him as a labor rights advocate and attorney.
In this episode of the Asked and Answered: Lived and Learned series, Bobbi Liebenberg says she's learned that laughter has a place in the workplace.
In this episode of the Asked and Answered: Lived and Learned series, Andrés Gallegos says he learned never to let anyone else's perception of his capabilities limit him in achieving his dreams.
Terri Morrison discusses how to not offend clients and alienate foreign judges and arbiters even with the hurdle of cultural differences.
Brian Cuban shares about his decades long struggle with body dysmorphic disorder, and how he learned to address it.
Stephanie Francis Ward speaks with Valerie Fontaine, founding partner of the legal search firm SeltzerFontaine, about which in-demand areas of law have open job positions–and how law grads can secure them.
Wellness is not just about eating health food and exercising. Hear from Jolene Park, founder of Healthy Discoveries, a corporate wellness company.
E-discovery and privacy law should be two areas that legal tech jobseekers look into, Shannon Capone Kirk tells the ABA Journal's Stephanie Francis Ward in this episode of Asked and Answered.
Mary E. Juetten talks about Evolve Law and other legal technologies that are improving access-to-justice problems.
Nancy Levit shares tips on how to find the work you want to do, and how to find joy in the work you're already doing.
Bree Buchanan talks about how lawyers assistance programs work, and how a person can reach out for assistance.
Dr. Sharon Meit Abrahams talks about common social faux pas lawyers make, and how best to avoid them.
Karen Kaplowitz shares tips about how lawyers can best serve clients after a move or ways to make a place for themselves at a new firm.
Adam Minsky, author of "Student Loan Debt 101," shares tips and tricks for managing debt and regaining control of your personal finances.
John Tredennick, the first to add "chief information officer" to his title, talks about how he earned respect and used it to make a difference.
In this ABA Journal podcast, Jeffrey Lowe discusses compensation for lawyers, including tips to ensure you're getting paid fairly.
Richard Susskind discusses his next book which focuses on technology in the courtroom.
This legal podcast discusses how lawyers can advocate for themselves in the workplace, without getting in their own way.
This legal podcast dives into getting certified as a minority-owned law firm for government or private-sector programs.
In 2016, a group of lawyers filed a federal civil rights claim against the Detroit public school system. We interview Carter Phillips, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs.
In this month's episode of Asked and Answered, Stephanie Francis Ward speaks with Sara Sutton Fell about lawyers working remotely.
Event planning campaigns that won't break your budget resulting in events that lawyers will actually attend.
The website Lawyerist founder Sam Glover talks about getting attorneys information they want.
Stephanie speaks with Jeffrey Rachlinski, a Cornell Law School professor who has done various studies about implicit bias, including one that focused on trial judges.
How law students who have failed the bar exam should go about preparing to retake it - without fear or anxiety.
Trailblazer Randi Mayes talks about how the mindset of lawyers will change their use of technology in the future.
Kathleen Kelley Reardon talks about how attorneys can ask for what they want without jeopardizing good work relationships.
Executive producer Laurence Colletti interviews your favorite Legal Talk Network hosts about how they’re spending time during this holiday de jure
Tips and advice for lawyers on what you can do to recover the money you're owed.
Legal technology has changed since 1999, when Ed Walters and Phil Rosenthal founded the legal research service Fastcase—but not as much as they’d like.
Jeena Cho speaks about how practicing mindfulness, in essence living in the present moment, helps lawyers quickly move on from daily stressors and setbacks.
Gayle Victor, a Chicago-area lawyer and social worker who counsels attorneys, discusses whether you should leave your law firm.
Stephanie Francis Ward talks with Jerome Goldman, Legal Rebels Trailblazer because of OYEZ, his U.S. Supreme Court-focused multimedia archive.
Business development coach Larry Kohn discusses ways that attorneys can promote themselves and their skills, helping the lawyer and their potential clients.
Kandis Gibson has some tips and tricks for how lawyers can make exercise and outdoor activities part of your routine.
Can you plan to prevent workplace bias before it starts? In some cases yes, says Joan Williams, the founding director of the Center for WorkLife Law at University of California Hastings. The...
Lawyers often think technology should always work. That’s aspirational, says Sharon Nelson, president of the cybersecurity, information technology and digital forensics firm Sensei Enterprises Inc. “People can screw up, but technology fails...
Lawyer and longtime journalist Monica Bay didn’t let sexism or a technology-averse legal establishment keep her from breaking new ground. “The baby boomer lawyers were so entrenched with the idea that ‘only...
Cost savings are particularly important for small firms and solos. What are some easy fixes for making law firm budgets go further, and what are some common mistakes to avoid? In this month’s Asked and Answered, the ABA Journal’s...
You may have noticed that some lawyers are often quoted in the press. They might have a practice that naturally garners attention, or perhaps they are great at explaining complex issues succinctly...
It’s time to set goals for the new year. But can you actually follow through with them? In this month’s Asked and Answered, the ABA Journal’s Stephanie Francis Ward discusses what reasonable...
Can a commitment to blogging help develop a practice area and turn you into an expert? In this month’s Asked and Answered, the ABA Journal’s Stephanie Francis Ward speaks with Hilary Bricken,...
Are lawyers prone to anxiety, or is the pace of the profession the culprit? The ABA Journal’s Stephanie Francis Ward speaks with Will Meyerhofer, a psychotherapist who has also been a practicing...
The market for legal jobs may be getting better, but it’s still not great. That being said, are there specific practice areas that need more attorneys to serve current and future needs?...
What good can some men serving life sentence do for other inmates? A great deal, says Judge Laurie A. White, who co-founded a re-entry program for inmates of the infamous Angola State...
Do you get social anxiety thinking about networking at big events? Is it hard to make connections with other lawyers? Focus on what you can learn about others, rather than telling people...
We’d all love to be able to unplug completely while we’re on vacation, but for many lawyers it’s not that simple. Meeting your duty to your clients might mean that you can’t...
It’s a federal offense to grow, sell or use marijuana, but a growing number of states have laws permitting its use under specific circumstances. In Alaska, Oregon, Colorado and Washington, the product...
Have you ever daydreamed about having a career abroad? Before saying “bon voyage,” you should know what’s involved. In this month’s Asked and Answered podcast, moderator Stephanie Francis Ward will find out...
Legal Talk Network producer Laurence Colletti interviews Digital Detectives and The Digital Edge host Sharon Nelson, Digital Detectives host John Simek, The Kennedy-Mighell Report host Dennis Kennedy, and ABA Journal: Asked and...
If the unthinkable happens, will your practice be ready for an intermediary to take over or help with a transition? Do you know what would happen if you–or one of your colleagues–should...
With such a stressful profession, many attorneys face addiction and other mental health issues. If you find yourself struggling–or know another lawyer who is–what resources are out there? Does admitting a problem...
In the wake of divorce, many families find themselves emotionally and financially devastated. If you’re in the heat of a legal battle, it’s easy to go to far and create acrimony with...
In this month’s Asked and Answered podcast, moderator Stephanie Francis Ward talks to Linda Greenhouse and Jonathan Turley about the past, present and future of legal journalism, and how it has influenced...
Social media is an easy (and often free) tool that litigators can use to share their clients’ stories. But how much is too much, and what if you post something that you’ll...
Lawyers are often told how important professional networking is. But many find it so uncomfortable they feel physically dirty. Why is professional networking so distressing to so many? And how can you...
Many young law grads are being urged to move out of large cities and into rural areas, where there aren’t as many attorneys competing for work. As we reported in the ABA...
This month, in connection with our Legal Rebels project, we wanted to look at the growing field of virtual law practices. Opportunities are growing for lawyers to practice law in digital spaces....
Zero tolerance discipline policies were once all the rage in schools. But instead of improving test scores and graduation rates, zero tolerance policies were shown to actually reduce them, says Daniel Losen,...
Language is a living thing. New words and phrases—or even grammatical shifts—mean that a lexicographer’s work is never truly complete. This month, we’re speaking with Bryan A. Garner, the editor-in-chief of Black’s...
For some clients, it seems like no matter what facts you present them with, you just can’t make them see the reality of their situation. They want to battle every step of...
Great trial lawyers should be great storytellers. But how do you remember everything you need to, and look confident while doing it? To find out, we spoke with Billy Martin, who is...
