How to...

  • Royston retirement cartoon
    Feature

    How to: Plan for retirement

    2023-08-07T16:00:00Z

    When it comes to hanging up their PC after decades of grafting for clients, many lawyers are surprisingly ill-prepared. Maria Shahid looks at the dos and don’ts of ‘lexit’.

  • How to become a QC
    Feature

    How to: Become a Queen's Counsel

    2022-02-18T00:01:00Z

    As QC applications open, Jonathan Rayner finds out what it takes for a solicitor to make the grade.

  • How to change careers
    Feature

    How to: Change career direction

    2022-01-14T00:01:00Z

    As a profession, law has become ever more specialist. But what if you made a wrong choice? Jonathan Rayner asks for tips on changing the focus of your career

  • ls-pay-gap-cartoon
    Feature

    How to: Close a pay gap

    28 June 2021

    The underlying reasons for pay gaps measured by gender, race, ethnicity or disability are complex. All the more reason to start addressing them.

  • cartoon_cheese_wine_remote
    Feature

    How to: Keep clients close

    24 May 2021

    Business development and contact-building have barely been possible in-person for over a year. But, as Eduardo Reyes discovers, that has not stopped imaginative law firms from keeping clients engaged and entertained – and a hybrid approach looks here to stay

  • Law Society Awards cartoon
    Feature

    How to: Win an award

    26 April 2021

    All lawyers tell prospective clients and job candidates that they, their team and the firm are the best – so an award helps prove it. Maria Shahid talks to the people who know how to go about winning one.

  • Home-working-child
    Feature

    Tips on keeping fit for the law

    8 February 2021

    Working from home

  • Christopher-Stanley-PA
    Feature

    How to: make legal aid work

    14 September

    Firms and solicitors continue to quit legal aid. But what to do if you want to stick with it? Melanie Newman reports

  • Retirement cartoon
    Feature

    How to: Retire

    27 July 2020

    Retirement can herald the happiest days of a lawyer’s life – or the start of a new career. Jonathan Rayner talks to three solicitors about how they have made the most of their golden years.

  • Howto
    Feature

    How to work in new ways

    30 March 2020

    With Covid-19 shutting offices and forcing teams apart, Katharine Freeland looks at remote, flexible and agile working

  • LS_succession
    Feature

    How to: Tackle succession planning

    13 January 2020

    Contemplating your own professional mortality can be uncomfortable, hears Marialuisa Taddia. But the rise of the ‘zombie’ law firm shows it is never too early to start thinking about what comes next.

  • LS_ned
    Feature

    How to: be a non-executive director

    18 November 2019

    When a solicitor becomes a non-executive director their role is not simply to offer free legal advice – they are expected to support the board and CEO, says Melanie Newman.

  • Royston cartoon
    Feature

    How to: use gender-neutral language

    17 June 2019

    By writing ‘Dear Sirs’, some lawyers feel they are holding out against political correctness. But the battle against gender-neutral language is surely a losing cause, reports Melanie Newman

  • Stressed worker
    Feature

    How to leave work at the front door

    3 June 2019

    Switching off from the office will make you happier and more productive, but this is easier said than done. Katharine Freeland offers some top tips about how to strike a healthy work/life balance

  • Royston
    Feature

    How to: make the most of PR

    25 March 2019

    A public relations strategy need not just be for the very largest practices – in a crowded market, firms of all sizes are seeking ways to stand out. Eduardo Reyes reports

  • Bad news
    Feature

    How to: give a client bad news

    11 February 2019

    Solicitors are often the bearer of bad news to their clients, but there are ways to deliver this information without damaging your relationship. Katharine Freeland reports.  

  • Royston Part-time cartoon
    Feature

    How to: work part-time

    3 December 2018

    Part-time lawyers have long been seen as lacking commitment to their careers and to their clients. But that hackneyed view is changing, reports Marialuisa Taddia

  • Ls discipline
    Feature

    How to: Discipline a colleague

    22 October 2018

    Sanctioning a colleague for wrongdoing is fraught with hidden perils, especially if they are a partner. Melanie Newman asks the experts how to handle disciplinary matters

  • Ls lease
    Feature

    How to: lease an office

    3 September 2018

    Taking new accommodation is the biggest change management opportunity in the life of a law firm. Long-term planning is critical to getting it right.

  • Ls grievance
    Feature

    How to: File a Grievance

    6 August 2018

    Filing a complaint for discriminatory or unfair treatment by your employer is fraught with risks. Advice and planning can secure a positive outcome.