How to Deal with Bottlenecks in Your Law Firm
One of the most important in ensuring a successful law firm operation is to identify the points of congestion. The management needs to know the bottlenecks that make the business run slowly. These are the things that will make the organization inefficient. In turn, it limits success. Read this article as we talk about the bottlenecks that can confront the day-to-day operations of a law firm and the most effective ways to deal with it.
1. Inefficient Billing Management
The billing process is one thing that slows down law firm operations. If there are delays in the issuance of invoices, clients won’t be able to settle their payments on time. This negatively impacts the cash flow of the firm. There are can also be billing inaccuracies, which can delay the payments. To prevent this problem, law firms need to invest in law practice management software, such as Rocket Matter. It helps to improve billing practices in law firms, including capturing billables and sending invoices.
2. Lack of Accessibility
Lack of access to relevant legal documents is another law firm bottleneck that law firms need to address. Lawyers and paralegals, among others, must be able to access the files necessary for a specific case. Gone were the days when they do it manually as they scour through hundreds and thousands of pages. This is a lot easier as law firms can now store documents in the cloud. This allows users to access the documents anytime and anywhere. Among others, Rocket Matter is one of the top providers of cloud technology for document management. Try their cloud case management software today and see how it can improve your firm’s operations.
3. Lack of Collaboration
It is important for a law firm to build a collaborative environment. Lack of collaboration is a bottleneck that limits the potential of the organization. The complexity of legal work demands collaboration in law firms. This is especially important in large organizations with several people working on a single case. By fostering a more collaborative environment, it is easier to complete a job successfully and eliminate the bottlenecks.
4. Understaffing
Another common bottleneck in law firm operations is understaffing. As a result, lawyers are forced to do things that are outside of the scope of their job responsibilities, including administrative tasks. Their billables can suffer as they dedicate time in work that other people can handle. It is important to make sure that there are enough people in the firm.
5. Incompetency
Hiring more people is not a simple solution to incompetency. It will be useless to have employees who do not have the knowledge and skills necessary to make the law firm competitive. The firm should invest in training its people, including lawyers. Training equips people with the competencies to eliminate bottlenecks in the law firm.
To make lawyers more competent, law firms should invest in tech training. Refer to the infographic below on how to successfully carry it out.
Take your law firm above the competition and manage the bottlenecks that confront its operations. Consider the inefficiencies above and make sure that your firm addresses them the best way possible.
4 Law Firm Advertising Tips To Help You Bring In New Clients
As a lawyer, you know your job is to practice and know the law well. If you have been practicing for even a short amount of time, you also know it is about finding clients.
This means you need to be more than a lawyer. You also need to be a business person, a marketer, and an advertiser. The truth is cases and clients don’t fall onto your desk because you want them.
You need to do deliberate things to build your client base and promote yourself as a lawyer. Check out these ideas for law firm advertising to help get your firm more clients.
1. Build Your Network and Referrals
This is one thing you can do that won’t cost you money. You need to treat every person you know and meet as a potential client. Remember, your dry cleaner, your mechanic, your mortgage broker may all need an attorney at some point.
Talk and connect with every person you know and have contact with. Think about past clients. Connect with them regularly so you remain familiar should they need you again.
Get to know other attorneys who might give you referrals or means to meet new clients.
2. Bring in the Professionals
You might also decide to bring in some help. There are companies who specialize in helping lawyers and their firms get cases.
They can learn about you and your areas of specialty. Then sift through potential cases to match you up with the right clients for your firm.
Case generation services use marketing strategies, both digital and traditional, to search for potential clients. Then once they have those clients they connect them to you, so they become your clients.
3. Become Familiar and Show Your Knowledge
There are many lawyers who have not done the right thing to give lawyers the best name. You need to be the opposite of that. It should be your goal to show your knowledge of the law at every opportunity.
Get involved in local organizations. Here you can meet potential clients and talk about the law. Market yourself every time you speak about the law.
Participate in events in your community so people see you and hear you.
Make sure your website has a blog that has newsworthy and knowledgeable content. You could even have online videos that allow potential clients to see and hear you speak, showing off your craft.
4. Take Advantage of Advertising Opportunities
Sure, many types of advertising can be expensive. But there is advertising that doesn’t have to break the bank.
Make sure all your blog writing has keywords that match up with SEOs. Use social media platforms to advertise inexpensively. Social media also allows you to do some content focused advertising at a pretty low cost.
Consider using PPC advertising. This pay-per-click method allows you to advertise for certain online queries.
Law Firm Advertising to Get You Clients
Certainly, you have to practice the law well to be successful. You also need to practice smart self-promotion to get and keep those clients. You can also take advantage of law firm advertising opportunities to grow your client base.
To connect with other lawyers and build up your referrals contact us today.
Translating International Legal Documents
Obtaining accurate translations of business documents is important no matter what industry you’re in, but it may be especially crucial in the legal field – where a poorly translated idea or miscommunication could have serious consequences for all parties involved. That’s why it’s so essential to secure the services of an experienced legal translator; one who not only understands specialized legal terminology, but also has some familiarity with the legal systems of the countries involved.
International legal translators should have experience with a variety of documents, including patent and trademark documentation, marriage and birth certificates, legal contracts and agreements, court documentation, immigration paperwork, and more. Linguists with a background in this field will attest to the fact that it requires not only an understanding of legal jargon and excellent translation skills (native speakers are always a plus), but also a strong sense of ethics and an appreciation of the importance of the work – as well as the consequences that can result if it’s poorly done.
If You’re a Translator…
All this may sound daunting if you’re just starting out as a professional translator with aspirations of expanding your skills into the international legal arena. But you can reach your goal if you’re willing to take the time and gain the experience necessary to achieve it. Begin by focusing on building your reputation as an excellent linguist. Not all of your clients may be in the legal field, but over time – as you gain more experience in general – you can market your services to law firms or other companies closely related to the legal profession. Keep your focus on law. Learn the terminology. Build a clientele of lawyers. Once you’ve accomplished that, further narrow your focus to legal firms that specialize in international law. After you’ve established yourself with these clients, you will have the experience and skills to enter the highly competitive field of international legal translation.
If You Need a Translator…
Trying to locate a translator with all the abilities and traits you require – including exceptional translation skills, expertise in the international legal field, and a strong ethical code – may sound challenging. And, truth to tell, it is! That’s why hiring a professional linguist through a reputable translation company is the best choice for most organizations and agencies in the legal field. A good translation company can ensure that you are matched with the right translator for you – one that has excellent references, a solid background in the legal field, outstanding translation capabilities, and a strong work ethic.
Agencies that employ the services of international legal translators are almost as varied as the types of documents that need translation: from individual law firms to the United Nations to the European Court of Justice to the War Crimes Tribunals of The Hague. But as varied as these entities may be, they all share one thing in common: they require the services of only very highly skilled and dedicated professional linguists.
Challenges Law Firms Face With IT Companies
Try to imagine your law firm operating without a cohesive computer network. Can you picture it? Most people today probably can’t. The computer network you use is the powerhouse of your firm, taking in information, delivering information, scheduling, keeping records and more. If it isn’t working well and predictably, your firm will suffer.
Why Do We Need IT?
Sometimes, the biggest IT challenge faced by a law firm is the period before it gets IT services. During that time, some firms will operate with no IT at all. They will call in a consultant or repair person if they believe there is a problem. And, have you ever heard that a guy is coming in to fix the system because he’s the brother of a friend and “knows a lot about computers?” There are plenty of small businesses that operate that way for a while until the demands of the computer network get too big for the current solution. That’s when firms realize that with IT services, they can keep the network running smoothly and keep it safe from hackers. Businesses of every size and description need IT personnel to monitor their computers systems and identify any problems quickly.
Attorney-Client Privilege and IT
You know how attorney-client privilege works, and you know how important it is to keep your clients’ information private. It’s part of your reputation and your livelihood. Hackers try harder than ever to steal data because it can be lucrative for the thieves. Today, hackers are targeting law firms in particular because they are known to keep so much private information about their clients. Getting malware into your system can get the names, social security numbers and even banking information that they can use to drain your clients dry. One of your biggest obstacles in the hackers’ path is your IT service. It monitors for any hacks, for malware and for unauthorized use of your system to act quickly before data is lost.
Modern Malware
We’ve all heard about viruses that can infect computers and ruin the data being held there. However, there are many more types of malware used y today’s hackers. One of the most popular of these is ransomware. All it takes is clicking a bad link, and your system may be closed down and held hostage until you pay the ransom to get it back. Because this type of attack is so lucrative, it’s gaining steam like never before. This year, a business will be hacked by ransomware every 14 seconds in the U.S. There are also keystroke trackers that can easily steal passwords and get into all of the websites you use, including financial accounts. Billions are spent every year to pay ransoms, and that doesn’t include the cost of fixing hacked computers, getting rid of viruses and losing clients after a hack.
Privacy and Security
So, you want to have IT services to help keep your system running and to protect it from hackers. How do you know the IT personnel will understand privileged information? This is why it’s so important to choose an IT provider who has experience with doing IT for law firms. This experience makes them fully aware of how sensitive some of the information on your network is and how important it is to keep it from any prying eyes. By using high-level encryption, regular maintenance and fixes when needed, your IT personnel can add many layers of security over your data so that it isn’t an easy target for thieves.
IT Services
One of the worst things that can happen to your firm is having a long list of clients that you have to contact to tell them that their data has been stolen from your computer network. It’s bad for your reputation, it’s bad for overall morale, and it can cost the firm dearly when it has to make restitution to all of the victims. If you never want to make those calls, make sure you have IT services in place to prevent thieves from coming and taking whatever they want.
Head Injury from a Car Accident? Here’s What to Do
Every year, approximately 2.78 million people are hospitalized for traumatic brain injuries like concussions.
Car accidents are the second most common cause of concussions. They account for about 20 percent of all concussion-related hospitalizations.
Trying to recover from a concussion is almost always challenging. It’s even more challenging when the concussion is the result of a car accident, though.
If you’re dealing with a concussion from car accident (or suspect you are), it’s important to take action as soon as possible to get the compensation you deserve.
Read on to learn exactly what you should do after finding out you have a concussion.
Signs of a Concussion
If you haven’t already been diagnosed with a concussion, you may want to evaluate your symptoms to see if you might be suffering from one. The following are some of the most common symptoms associated with a concussion:
- Confusion
- Clumsiness
- Dizziness
- Slurring your speech
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Noise sensitivity
- Fatigue or sluggishness
- Ringing in the ears
- Concentration problems
- Memory loss
- Behavior changes
- Personality changes
It’s important to note, too that the symptoms of concussions can sometimes be so mild that they’re hard to catch.
That’s why it’s important to see a doctor anytime you experience a head injury. Even if you think you’re fine, there might be something going on that has the potential to become a more serious issue.
What to Do After a Concussion
If you suspect you have a concussion based on the symptoms listed above, it’s now time to act. Here are the following steps you should take after sustaining a concussion or other head injury in a car accident:
Seek Medical Care
The first thing to do after sustaining a head injury in a car accident is to see a doctor. Even if you don’t notice any of the concussion symptoms listed above, you still need to see a physician.
A physician will perform the necessary tests to determine the severity of your injury. He or she will also be able to prescribe you medication to minimize your symptoms and reduce your risk of experiencing unpleasant and/or dangerous side effects.
Seeing a doctor is essential if you want to have evidence to back up your claim and get the compensation you deserve.
If you don’t have any documentation from a licensed physician verifying the extent of your injuries, you’re going to have a hard time building a strong case for yourself.
Rest
Adequate rest is essential after experiencing a concussion. It can often take between 7-10 days (if not longer) for your symptoms to subside and for you to start feeling more like yourself. Because of this, you need to take it easy and avoid pushing yourself to do too much, too soon.
In the period after your concussion, make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep. You might find that you’re more tired than usual after being injured.
Don’t fight your tiredness and try to stay awake. Let yourself rest as much as you need. After all, it’s when you’re sleeping deeply that your body is able to repair itself and take care of the damage that’s occurred.
Rest doesn’t just mean getting a lot of sleep, though. It also means avoiding strenuous activities. You might have to take some time off from your job to avoid making your symptoms work.
This is true even if your job is not demanding in a physical way. Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time isn’t good for those recovering from a concussion, either.
Be sure to avoid activities that are draining in an emotional way, too. This might mean avoiding intense or difficult conversations or staying away from people who tend to put a lot of pressure on or overwhelm you.
Monitor Yourself
While you’re resting and recovering from your concussion, you need to monitor yourself or have someone else monitor you.
Constant monitoring after a concussion is necessary to make sure your symptoms aren’t getting worse. If your symptoms worse after the initial injury, you may at risk of developing serious complications.
If left untreated, these complications could lead to severe or even permanent brain damage.
Potential Concussion Complications
One of the most common complications associated with a concussion is known as post-concussion syndrome.
Post-concussion syndrome occurs when concussion symptoms persist for a long time after a person is supposed to have made a full recovery.
Often, people dealing with post-concussion syndrome experience mild — but still serious — symptoms such as chronic headaches, dizziness, and trouble focusing.
These symptoms might become more severe as time goes on if the person doesn’t get treatment.
Hire a Lawyer
As you can see, there’s a lot you need to after experiencing a concussion in order to maintain good cognitive health and avoid potential complications.
How are you supposed to do all these activities (or lack of activities) while also working with insurance companies to get compensation for your medical care?
If you’re stressing out over how you’re going to pay your medical bills, you’re going to have a hard time getting the rest that is required after sustaining a concussion. That’s why it’s important to hire a concussion lawyer to help you handle your case.
A lawyer will do the negotiating and heavy lifting for you so you can focus on your recovery.
Many concussion lawyers also work on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to worry about paying them until after you’ve won your case.
Are You Suffering from a Concussion from Car Accident?
Dealing with a concussion can be a scary and stressful thing.
It’s even scarier and more stressful when you’re also trying to work with someone’s insurance company to make sure you have the money you need to pay for your medical treatment.
If you’re in this situation right now and are suffering from a concussion from car accident, having a concussion lawyer on your side can make all the difference.
Do you need to hire a concussion lawyer? If you’re having a hard time finding the right person for the job, we can help.
Check out our free online directory today to find qualified, experienced lawyers in your area.
Kinney, Fernandez, & Boire P.A Share Why Personal Injury Attorneys Are in High Demand
If you have been in an accident of any kind, you may be entitled to compensation. Compensation could help to pay for medical bills, lost wages and lost future earnings. It may also help to pay for any emotional stress that you endured after a car crash or incident at work. Let’s take a look at some reasons why individuals are seeking the help of a personal injury attorney after getting hurt.
Attorneys Will Seek to Maximize Your Compensation
An attorney will do whatever it takes to maximize the amount of money that you get in a settlement or through a jury award. This may include filing a lawsuit in an effort to get the party that hurt you to negotiate in good faith. Your attorney will also know not to take the first settlement offer from an insurance company or other party who may be liable for damages.
If your legal professional has a track record of obtaining financial awards for clients, opposing counsel may simply agree to whatever proposal your attorney makes. That can save you a lot of time and effort during a period in your life when you could be at your weakest physically or mentally.
Personal Injury Lawsuits Can Mean Bigger Paydays for Injured Workers
If you are hurt at work, you may be covered by the workers’ compensation system. You are generally only allowed to seek lost wages and the cost of medical bills incurred. However, the law does allow you to file a personal injury lawsuit if there was gross negligence on the part of a party liable for your injuries.
For instance, if your employer failed to provide proper protective equipment, that may cross the line into negligence. In the event that a piece of safety equipment failed, the manufacturer of that product could be held liable for all damages you incur as an injured victim. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to hire an attorney to protect and preserve whatever rights that you may have in such a scenario.
Injury Cases Can Be Complicated
There is a chance that you could learn personal injury law and represent yourself during settlement talks or at trial. However, you can expect that the other parties in your case are going to have professional representation of their own. Furthermore, there are many documents to file in a timely manner and other steps to take during the legal process. Making even a small mistake could result in a case being dismissed. While it may be possible to bring your case back to court, you are spending time and losing money that you likely need to make ends meet after an accident.
Your Attorney Can Remain Objective Throughout the Entire Process
After a car accident, workplace accident or any other type of incident that results in injury, you may be blinded by your emotions. Instead of taking a careful look at the law, there is a good chance that you will make decisions based on fear or anger. That is generally not a good way to resolve a case in a favorable manner.
Your personal injury attorney will handle your case in accordance with state law and based on the evidence provided. While you may not get everything that you hoped for, the ability to resolve your case in a timely manner can keep costs down. In addition, getting closure in your case can provide a mental boost that helps with your recovery.
There are many good reasons why personal injury lawyers are in high demand right now. Their ability to act as an advocate for those who may not have anyone else to turn to makes them ideal allies in all legal matters. Furthermore, their experience and ability to handle matters in an objective manner makes it more likely that an individual will get the best possible outcome.
8 things every lawyer should have in their office
The key to a successful career in law is being productive and staying on top of your schedule. It’s no secret that being a lawyer is difficult – in between the long hours, difficult cases and piles of paperwork, it’s hard to have time for anything else.
However, there are a few things I have learned throughout my career that maintain my reputation, set a strong first impression with my clients and keep my working environment perfect for keeping a cool head and getting things done.
And no, I’m not talking about textbooks, motivational talks or online courses here. I’m talking about the things I have in my office! Everything I own has been specifically bought for a reason and I value them all for their individual purpose in keeping my head above water.
Here are 8 things every lawyer should have in their office
1. Tall bookshelves
I honestly believe that the more organized a room is, the better it is to work in. Making sure all of your law books are stored and displayed in a clean and tidy manner is one of the best ways to keep a clear head.
Choose bookshelves that match the other furniture in your office to make a good first impression with clients and to keep your room (and head) nice and neutral.
I opt for taller shelves like this one as they make any office seem larger and make room for my huge book collection.
2. Protein coffee
If I learned anything from my days at law school, it’s that if you’re going to learn anything then you need to be alert.
I discovered Complete Nutrition’s protein coffee blend a few months ago and it is now part of my daily routine.
I’m often that busy that having a drink there as a snack that will fill me up with protein and give me a good caffeine boost is fantastic.
It also works great as a little push to get me to the gym after a long day. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of protein coffee, check out this article from Healthcare Weekly.
3. Framed corkboard
When I have a million items on my to-do list spinning around my head at once, I like to get them all down on paper. Not only does this allow me to visually organize my day, but it’s also a huge stress relief to get everything down and focus on one job at a time.
I invested in this framed corkboard a while back as it ticks all the practical boxes whilst looking great in my office.
I pin anything from client meetings to my shopping list on there to make sure I am super prepared and ready for whatever the day throws at me.
4. Set of pens
There’s nothing worse than being in a really important, complicated consultation and realizing you don’t have a pen handy.
It makes you look unprofessional and, quite frankly, just a little silly. That’s why I decided to buy my own Personalized Acrylic Pen & Pencil Holder. This may seem like an unnecessary expense, however spending just that little bit more on your stationary means you’ll take extra care of it so it never goes missing.
Plus, having my own personalized pen and holder shows my clients that I really do mean business.
5. Reusable water bottle
Before I decided to purchase a reusable water bottle, I’d spend a lot of time really dehydrated as I was so stuck into my work that I didn’t want to leave my desk. Not only was this bad for my health, but it also meant that much of my work didn’t make much sense by the time I’d finished because my brain wasn’t working as it should.
When a friend suggested buying a Kool8 Water Bottle, I decided to go for it. Not only can it keep my morning tea warm for 12 hours, but once I fill it up with water, that stays cool for up to 24 hours.
This is so handy as even on the hardest, longest days, I still have a refreshing beverage with me to keep my body pushing on.
6. Desk lamp
We are all aware that being a lawyer isn’t a 9-5 job. Working long hours can be hard, especially if you’re grafting away into the night in a dark office. And sometimes, your usual office lighting just won’t do the trick.
I invested in a table light to not only keep me awake, but to protect my eyes from straining thanks to the long days looking at paperwork and screens.
Naturally, some parts of your office will feel darker than others. By adding more light, you’ll make the area much more inviting and comfortable to work in.
7. Envelopes
There are pretty obvious reasons as to why always having a nice pile of envelopes is handy as I lawyer. Despite the age of email, I use envelopes all the time and never like to be scrounging around for crumpled ones at the bottom of drawers.
Buying them in bulk is the most affordable solution out there to make sure you’re never caught short and having to waste time heading to the store.
You can browse various options here to choose the best type for you.
8. The perfect chair
Many do not realize how important a chair is in regards to how you work. I found that after spending a lot of time in my old, simple office chair that I was struggling a lot with a bad back. Investing in a chair you’re happy to spend hours and hours in is so important.
You should consider it as important as buying a new bed- you’re going to spend a lot of time there, so you need to be comfortable.
Consider browsing over a few here before making your decision.
Even if your perfect chair is a little more expensive than you’d hoped, at least you know it’s doing its best to look after your health.
This article is contributed by Nancy Huynh, senior marketing analyst at Digital Authority Partners
Avoid at All Costs: 6 Signs of a signs of a bad lawyer
As of 2019, there are over 1.35 million lawyers in the US. With so many available, it may be hard to choose one.
Just because they’ve passed the bar doesn’t mean they’re going to be good attorneys. Below are 6 signs of a bad lawyer so you know when to end their services.
1. They Don’t Communicate with You
Yes, lawyer’s offices do get busy, but their clients should always come first. It’s understandable that they can’t always answer your calls, but they should promptly return them.
If you feel like you’re always left in the dark and it seems like your attorney isn’t paying your case much attention, that’s a red flag.
2. They’re Unprofessional
As with any job in all industries, professionals are expected to show commitment and good conduct. There may be personal issues that arise, which may affect a person’s ability to work. But other times, it may be a lack of caring.
For instance, if your lawyer never shows up on time or returns your calls, plus files the wrong paperwork, it’s time to look for a more dedicated attorney.
3. They Lie to You
Your attorney has to be transparent with you. They shouldn’t tell you your case is going well if it isn’t. Also, they should inform you if they’ve missed an important deadline.
If they attempt to cover up any negative aspects of your case, your lawyer isn’t to be trusted. Look elsewhere for legal counsel.
4. They’re Not Compassionate
The most important thing is you have a lawyer who can handle your case competently. But another vital factor is how compassionate they are.
Depending on your legal issues, you may need an understanding attorney to lean on. Having someone abrasive and cold can make your suffering even worse.
5. They Don’t Understand Your Case Thoroughly
If you have something such as possession with intent to deliver penalty, it’s a serious and complex crime. You can get anywhere from 1 year to life in prison.
The attorney you have can literally mean the difference between freedom and life in prison. If it seems like your lawyer doesn’t really understand your case, you need to hire someone who can keep you out of prison confidently.
6. They’re Unethical
Have you received a bill and been surprised at some of the hidden expenses that have popped up? Or have they done something illegal while working on your case?
Should you have a bad feeling about your attorney’s behaviors, you should discontinue service with them. Chances are, they have unscrupulous behavior that could get both themselves and you in trouble for perjury with defense.
Don’t Ignore Signs of a Bad Lawyer
Any legal issue can be difficult to go through, so make sure it goes as smoothly as possible by knowing the signs of a bad lawyer. Once you recognize those signs, you can find a much better one that’s willing to fight hard for you.
If you’re looking for an excellent lawyer, use our search function now.
Does Your Law Firm Website Meet ADA Compliance Standards?
When people are in a pinch and looking to hire legal services or check attorney references, they typically chose to do so online. And with the introduction of smartphones, most people can bring up a law firm’s website from almost anywhere they go. Clients can access your company’s website in the car, on a private jet, and even on their wrist from a smartwatch. While all of this accessibility is great for most of your potential clients, without a website that meets ADA compliance standards, you could be alienating a large group of people who choose to search for legal help online. So, what is ADA compliance and why is it important for your law firm’s website? Keep reading to learn more about the importance of maintaining your ADA compliance status and the benefits of working with a reputable IT service company to handle the hard work for you.
Is Your Website ADA Compliant?
Did you know that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted almost 30 years ago? This important civil rights law was designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination against them in terms of employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications.
When the ADA act was signed into law in 1990, it paved the way for people with disabilities in a very physical sense by requiring businesses to offer designated accessible parking spaces, raised markings on informational signage, accessibility ramps and more. But up until recently, these accessibility guidelines did not extend to the online space. In January 2018, new ADA regulations were put into effect to ensure that people with disabilities are able to access business websites with ease. Some of the key elements you can take to ensure your website is accessible to people disabilities include:
- Reviewing the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines or WCAG. Here you’ll find useful recommendations on how to make your website more accessible for everyone.
- Use the Google WAVE Tool to conduct an audit of your website as it is now. Unsure of how to complete an audit on your own? Simply enlist your IT services company to help!
- Take the time to ensure that any images on your website include descriptive alt tags. These helpful tabs are utilized by screen readers and players, as well as voiceovers to describe different elements on your website.
- Review the varying styles and elements that make your website unique, such as the links, headings, and buttons. Remember that your website should be accessible to all visitors. So, if your font style is too small or you’ve used a combination of a light background and light text—it may be hard for everyone to find the information they need.
- Ask your IT services technician to audit your website’s code and CSS. This is the best way to clean up any outdated code and make sure that you’re following best practices.
What Happens if Your Website Fails to Meet ADA Standards?
Research shows that as many as 70 percent of potential customers will leave a business website if it isn’t accessible. Aside from possible legal ramifications, it’s in your best interest to make sure that your website is accessible to every potential client browsing the internet. If you create a website that can be easily understood and accessed by everyone, you’ll be opening your firm to an audience of some 60 million disabled Americans.
One great way to look at meeting ADA compliance standards is to think of them as another form of search engine optimization. If you’re already taking the time to make sure your website ranks well on Google and other popular search engines, it should also be optimized to meet the needs of every potential new client.
How Can I Ensure My Website Looks Great and is Accessible for All?
Even the most tech-savvy business owners know that when it comes to coding, it’s best to leave the hard work to the professionals. While you may be able to keep up with some of the minor changes that your website will need to be ADA compliant, striking the perfect balance between a professional looking website and a fully-functioning one can be quite difficult. Along with these intricacies, working with a reputable IT services company can help to protect your client’s sensitive information from phishing scams and cyber attacks.
Putting your trust in the hands of a capable IT team also means that you can spend your time focusing on what really matters, helping your clients and guiding them through the legal process. A knowledgeable IT technician can also keep your website and software applications up to date with the newest additions and any changes to important regulations. With the help of an experienced IT services company, you never have to worry about your website being ADA compliant and you can rest easy knowing that your website will function properly.
Learn More About LI Tech Advisers
LI Tech Advisors provides a wide range of technical service for businesses across the greater Long Island, New York area. Some of the services we offer include IT support, network configuration, disaster recovery, wireless networking, and more. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, we’re proud to be one of the top IT services companies in the greater Long Island, NY region.
Information Security of Law Firms
According to numerous researches, law firms are practically not protected from theft and loss of confidential data. That is why the issues of cybersecurity in the legal sphere, as well as the interaction of lawyers with companies specializing in the collection of digital evidence, the prevention, and investigation of computer crimes using high technologies, are very relevant in the modern world. If you want to take care of your safety and anonymity on the Internet, then Bestvpnrating knows how to help you.
Digital negligence is a common problem for lawyers
Previously, in such a conservative profession as a lawyer, intellectual leadership was enough for success, now it is “vital” to use high technologies in practice. In the age of information technologies, it is vital to take care of information security, both with own infrastructure in order to protect advocate secrecy and its organizational support from principals.
How to protect your PC from external threats?
Every lawyer should know that due to the specifics of his work, he needs to protect his PC from the intruders from outside. Therefore, it is recommended to use the VPN protocol. But why does he need it, you ask? We have the answer to this question.
Why do lawyers need to use VPN?
First of all, you need to use a VPN to get a high level of Internet connection security, especially when sharing confidential information. The more switching points (routers, gateways, bridges, nodes) pass data – the higher the likelihood of their interception by hackers. Having the physical parameters of a PC or server (for example, its IP address) by means of vulnerable connection methods, hackers can penetrate it by hacking password protection. Even the operating system “Mac”, which is famous for its reliability, has weaknesses. But do not despair, because we know how to protect your Macbook.
Another reason why a private client needs a VPN connection is remote administration. If you want to protect the server as far as possible from outside intervention, you can create a “whitelist” of IP addresses which have access to it. When one of them (addresses) belongs to a private VPN server, you can safely connect to an administered server from anywhere in the world using an encrypted connection. The administration object will assume that it has been connected to form an authorized terminal, and the administrator may not be concerned about the risk of hacking.
Moreover, VPN protocols are in demand in commercial structures which work with funds and economic secrets. Virtual Private Network does not allow hackers to crack accounts or find out industrial secrets and technologies. Employees who need to gain access to the company’s network resources from home or on a business trip can establish a connection through a VPN without exposing the corporate network to hacking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we would like to say that choosing a VPN service must be approached responsibly if you are a lawyer who respects the secrets of clients and is concerned about the confidentiality of information. Currently, there are over 300 VPN services on the market. The choice is great, and even too much. Some VPN services are good in terms of security, some in terms of connection speed, and some simply are no good at all. After reading this article, you will learn how to approach the choice of a VPN service, considering for what purposes you need it, and most importantly, you will not waste your money.
