“Mitch Kowalski has translated his considerable understanding of tomorrow’s legal profession into an original, provocative and entertaining narrative.” —Professor Richard Susskind, author of The End of Lawyers? “This is the most innovative law practice management book I’ve ever seen. Mitch has deftly combined an engaging novel about the lives of working lawyers with an illuminating treatise on how law firms must respond to extraordinary change in the legal marketplace. Avoiding Extinction is as entertaining as it is instructive -- and it couldn’t be more timely.” —Jordan Furlong, Partner, Edge International “This is a must read for managing partners, and for all lawyers under the age of 50. Written as a parable, once you pick it up it’s difficult to put down. And it literally screams relevance to the lives of those lawyers today who worry about the sustainability of the current model of legal practice. Big firm or small. City or rural – no matter, this book is for you. Can the law be both a profession and a business? Is it possible to escape the tyranny of the billable hour? Is it realistic to imagine being a truly happy lawyer in private practice in the twenty-first century? You bet – and Mitch Kowalski shows us how! —Ian Holloway QC, Dean of Law, The University of Calgary “Avoiding Extinction is the most original, far-thinking and innovative book on transforming the way that law is practised that I have ever read. Mitch has taken the traditional law firm and turned it upside down. In the process he has reworked the law firm model and given us an insight into how a firm could be structured and run. If you are looking for a creative vision into what a new, truly different law firm could look like, then this book is manna from heaven.” —David J. Bilinsky, Practice Management Advisor, lawyer and writer on law practice management and technology. Creator of the law blog, Thoughtful Legal Management.

America’s expert on law firm mismanagement is back with a whole new array of humorous committee meetings, memos, speeches, and consultants’ reports that present lawyers acting not like sharks, but rather floundering in a sea of dilemmas. The lawyers at the fictitious firm Fairweather, Winters & Sommers consider the advantages of merging and going virtual, bicker over a firm web site, and in front of a morning talk-show audience, try to understand economics, and scramble to figure out what to do when a big corporate client gets caught being unusually unethical. A sports-mogul client argues for drafting law-school graduates as if they were athletes, and a look into the future finds lawyers trolling outer space for new business. As ever, the firm’s founder, Stanley Fairweather, gets the last, wise word. Imagination and humor drive this law firm send-up, which turns a dull topic into hilarious farce and entertains lawyers while showing them the error of their ways.

In today’s rapidly changing legal landscape, becoming a digital lawyer is vital to success within the legal profession. This textbook provides an accessible and thorough introduction to digital lawyering, present and future, and a toolkit for gaining the key attributes and skills required to utilise technology within legal practice effectively. Digital technologies have already begun a radical transformation of the legal profession and the justice system. Digital Lawyering introduces students to all key topics, from the role of blockchain to the use of digital evidence in courtrooms, supported by contemporary case studies and integrated, interactive activities. The book considers specific forms of technology, such as Big Data, analytics and artificial intelligence, but also broader issues including regulation, privacy and ethics. It encourages students to explore the impact of digital lawyering upon professional identity, and to consider the emerging skills and competencies employers now require. Using this textbook will allow students to identify, discuss and reflect on emerging issues and trends within digital lawyering in a critical and informed manner, drawing on both its theoretical basis and accounts of its use in legal practice. Digital Lawyering is ideal for use as a main textbook on modules focused on technology and law, and as a supplementary textbook on modules covering lawyering and legal skills more generally.

Build a legal career in the hottest 21st century practice areas!In his 21st Century Legal Career Series, Richard L. Hermann researches, evaluates, and predicts where the employment opportunities are and will be for law graduates. Volume 1, Data Protection Practice: The Brave New Legal World, investigates a practice area that may be the hottest one going today and likely to be a centerpiece of business, personal, and legal concern for years to come. Talk to any law firm managing partner or corporate or government general counsel and you are likely to hear that s/he cannot find enough data protection attorneys. Every day the demand for lawyers who understand the legal implications of cybersecurity threats is surging in every employment sector. This booklet shows you how to surge with it and take advantage of this exciting career opportunity, Highlights include:*Six Key Features of Current Data Protection Practice*What Makes Data Protection Law So Hot? *The State of the Law*The Practice*Who Hires? "Mainstream" and JD-Advantage Jobs in Data Protection*What Does It Pay? *Breaking In*Finding Out About Data Protection Jobs before Everyone Else*Where to Go for More InformationCyber threats know no borders. The potential for misuse of sensitive personal information, corporate intelligence, and national security secrets is panicking businesses, governments, and other organizations worldwide, triggering legislative and regulatory action everywhere you look. Nations are scrambling to modernize their laws and regulations to cope with the new technologies that enable hacking before they are left even farther behind this growing law-technology gap. Technology know-how is a plus, but not mandatory because there are only a handful of attorneys with an in-depth understanding of the technological aspects of data security. A data protection attorney, most importantly, must be able to communicate effectively with people from all disciplines and backgrounds.Hermann focuses on what law students and lawyers need to know to break into this sizzling hot employment field.