Unfortunately business owners are often so keen to secure a sale or start working on a big project that they fail to get all the paperwork in place.
Disputes in business can happen for many reasons, but so often they blow up because those involved have a different opinion on what was agreed. You know the [...]
Along with their New Year celebrations the trade can at last raise a glass to the fact that they will be able to submit most licensing applications and notifications on-line from 28 December.
This should have been possible from 2005 when the new licensing regime was introduced, as it would have saved a lot of hassle [...]
Spoke to a claims handler at an insurance company, the defender in an action. He was mightily upset that I’d raised proceedings against him. He said, after all, he only had 2 letters on file from us! He was genuinely aggrieved and annoyed.
I explained to him that the first letter (sent months [...]
Had my first appearance in court today. It went really well… until I did something a bit silly.
First thing was discovering that the other side hadn’t sent one of their trainees but the heavyweight pro from the office. Not great.
Second thing was being first up – bad, as I didn’t have the chance [...]
When I was much younger and acne was still in its death throws, I fancied the life of a secret agent. I was fired by the sight of James Bond and Ursula Andress cavorting in the surf, and what a sight that was, as she spent the entire film in a bikini. Mark you, no [...]
I remember reading a ditty the other day: “See the happy moron, he doesn’t give a damn, I wish I were a moron, My God perhaps I am,” and my thoughts turned immediately to trial by jury, that perennial hoary chestnut.
It has reared its ugly head again following a speech from Lord Judge, the Lord [...]
On September 16, 2009 I posted a blog titled: “The Strength of Weak Ties.” In the post I told the story of how a large contractor found me based on a recommendation by a lawyer co-presenter on a panel presentation.
When I look back at other significant new clients who hired me to help them, almost [...]
Recently I was eating dinner with a group of lawyers I am just starting to coach. One asked me what I thought was the most important thing I had done to become a rainmaker. For me the answer was easy. I narrowed my focus and developed a niche for which I could become a “go [...]
A few years ago I met with Jonathan, a lawyer I was coaching. He said: “Cordell, whatever you do, please don’t tell me I have to write or speak at industry meetings for client development.” I told Jonathan: “You can be really successful and never write one article or give one industry presentation.”
What is the [...]
When I speak at firm retreats, I frequently show excerpts from the “About” page of the firm for whom I am speaking and two competitors. I then ask the lawyers to identify which website is theirs. Routinely, only about 50% of the lawyers in the audience know which website is their own.
Why? Most law firm [...]