Trial Magazine

Law school didn’t equip us with the skills to run a business. While my finance background provides a slight edge in my firm’s year-end tax planning meetings, trial lawyers generally lack the business training needed to run successful law firms.

As my fellow officers and I travel the country, we encounter many trial lawyers who share these concerns. Responding to this need, last fall AAJ hosted the inaugural “BOSS Summit” in Vermont. The program provided an opportunity for law firm owners to take a deep dive into the intricacies of their firm’s business operations and hear from peers about best practices and hard-earned lessons. The program proved invaluable, and AAJ is gearing up for more content of the same caliber at future events.

Entire industries are built around the business of law, and lawyers often find themselves navigating a vast landscape as they try to decide which website company or legal mastermind will be the best investment for their firm’s growth. While marketing is a crucial factor in growth and opportunity, it’s not the sole element in building a successful future. As business owners, we must navigate compensation structures, partnership agreements, and firm succession plans, as well as identify the best products for financing our law firms and cases.

What I appreciate about this organization is being surrounded by attorneys in different locations, practices, career stages, and firm sizes. Sharing information among ourselves is key—it enables us to become not only better lawyers but also better stewards of the practice of law. This issue of Trial explores topics for well-rounded lawyers and firms, such as building diverse teams, attorney well-being, inspiration in the practice, law firm website guidelines, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Speaking of AI, AAJ is taking a proactive stance in helping our members learn how these technological changes impact our firms and practices. Soon after becoming president, I established the Artificial Intelligence Task Force chaired by AAJ member Steve Herman to comprehend the impact of AI on the future of law. This analysis not only aids in understanding how AI will affect our practices but also in implementing measures to ensure it doesn’t compromise the integrity of our legal system.

Members now have access to webinars on the basics of AI, using AI for day-to-day operations, ethical considerations, and more (visit justice.org/aajondemand). Turn to page 46 to read about large language models and how they’re related to your practice. And be on the lookout for more AI-related articles this year in Trial.

As much as technology is a key part of our lives, it’s also important to take a break and consider our mental health—something that has come to the forefront since the emergence of COVID. Well-being is critical for ourselves and for our clients, and it can impact how well we run our businesses. Turn to page 34 to take a deeper dive into attorney well-being.

AAJ remains committed to providing its members with the resources to thrive as legal practitioners and business owners. One of our priorities is to offer members the tools to navigate the ever-evolving realm of law firm management, such as the landscape of alternative business structures nationwide, which AAJ has provided education on through webinars and at convention (visit justice.org/aajondemand or email education@justice.org). And if you’re a sole practitioner or at a small firm, consider joining AAJ’s Sole Practitioner & Small Firm Section. It focuses on law firm management, staffing issues, employee benefits, gaining visibility, and more.

Through initiatives like the “BOSS Summit” and the AI Task Force, we are actively shaping the future of law and ensuring that trial lawyers are well equipped to meet the challenges of the ever-changing legal landscape. Let’s learn from one another and forge a path forward—not just for our success but for the continued integrity of the legal system.

Sean C. Domnick is a founder and shareholder of Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and can be reached at sean.domnick@justice.org.