If your startup began life as an LLC, you’re not alone. A lot of founders are told that starting as an LLC is “easier” or “cheaper.” That might be true on paper, but if you’re planning to raise venture capital (even eventually) it’s usually better to start as a C-Corporation.
Here’s one reason why: converting from an LLC to a C-Corp during a financing round can trigger a surprise tax bill if you’re not careful.
When a company converts
Continue Reading From LLC to C-Corp Without a Tax Hangover
SCOTUS usually makes headlines with its end of the year report (for 2024, Chief Justice Roberts focused on threats to judicial independence), and everyone’s still talking about President Trump saying “Thank you again. Thank you again. I won’t forget.” to Roberts following this year’s State of the Union address.
Meanwhile, your state court’s State of the Judiciary address or report is likely slipping by unnoticed. And ignoring it is a missed opportunity. These reports are more than just ceremonial
Continue Reading The State of the Judiciary is… a Marketing Opportunity ?
Each year, Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine does a round-up of the latest legal trends. For the third year in a row I shared my thoughts on a legal marketing trend everyone should be paying attention to. “Successful attorneys have always relied on referrals to build and maintain their book of business. That is nothing new,” according to Emily Kelchen of Kelchen Consulting, past chair of the State Bar’s Communications Committee.“But there is a renewed focus on this sort of business
Continue Reading The Top Legal Marketing Trend of 2025
I don’t have a trip back to New Jersey planned. But when I do go, I think I’m going to have to make a stop in New Brunswick. (And not for the whoring and the drinking.)A brick I bought to support the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and commemorate my term as Chair of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) has now been installed on the patio of the Law Center! Participating in this fundraiser was a way for
Continue Reading Look for My Brick at the New Jersey Law Center
Those of us who have seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, or are at least familiar with its famous robot named HAL, have a healthy suspicion of artificial intelligence (AI). And our fears have been validated as we watched lawyers who relied on AI to draft legal documents get sanctioned by the courts and pilloried by the broader legal community.
But it’s nearly impossible to miss the buzz around AI and the way it is creeping into
Continue Reading HAL 9000’s Guide to AI-Powered Law Firm Marketing
Generative AI still cannot consistently or reliably create content without substantial inaccuracies, racial and gendered biases, or outright fabrications.
In our previous Generative Artificial Intelligence 101 blog post, we defined Generative AI and its many benefits. This time we will discuss why we cannot rely on Generative AI completely, just yet.
While Generative AI is leaps and bounds more advanced than any other type of machine learning program that has ever existed, the current models are still plagued
Continue Reading Generative Artificial Intelligence 101: Evaluating the Consistency and Reliability of Generative AI for Content Creation
I’m not sure if this is one of the reasons I’m passionate about marketing or not, but I used to really enjoy watching infomercials when I was a kid. I dreamed of refinishing some furniture with QRB, and was entranced by the latest vacuum seal technology. My friends and I even shot our own video advertising Squirt Pudding to our Jr High classmates!
I can still hear Ron Popeil urging the studio audience to scream “SET it and FORGET
Continue Reading Your Website Bio: Don’t Just Set It & Forget It
To understand the impact of generative artificial intelligence technology (Generative AI), it is helpful to understand first how this technology differs from artificial intelligence that has been in routine use by many industries.
Artificial intelligence encompasses any theory, computer system, or software that is developed to perform tasks that traditionally required human intelligence. Generative artificial intelligence technology is a subset of this technology.[1]
Starting with the basics, Generative AI is an algorithm that can be used to create
Continue Reading Generative Artificial Intelligence 101: What Is Generative AI, and What Are Its Benefits?
What is Generative AI, what can it do, and what should you be worried about?
Generative artificial intelligence technology (“Generative AI”) has seen a surge in advancement and attention in the past few years. With the release of ChatGPT and other generative artificial intelligence models (also referred to as “generative AI programs” or simply AI “generators”), Generative AI has integrated itself across many different industries, schools, and even households. As public use of this technology increases, there is a
Continue Reading Generative Artificial Intelligence 101: An Introduction
In rural Wisconsin, attorneys face distinctive obstacles including inadequate access to resources and overburdened calendars (often due to travel).
For attorneys with offices in secluded or rural locations, covering extensive territories to serve their clients and managing multiple duties is essential to maintain their legal practice. Skillfully managing business costs is crucial. Client appointments and court dates necessitate appearances. Leveraging the skills of competent legal assistants can significantly mitigate these hurdles.
Paralegals as trained professionals can perform tasks that
Continue Reading Rural Lawyers: Reap the Benefits of Teaming Up with Paralegals Remotely
The most followed page on Facebook (other than Facebook’s official page, which is very Meta) is that of Portuguese soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo. He has more than 162 million followers, and every post he shares garners hundreds of thousands of comments and likes within a few hours.
The most-liked social media post of all time is an Instagram post made by soccer player Lionel Messi, a native of Argentina, celebrating his team’s victory in the 2022
Continue Reading How to Measure Your Digital Marketing & Set Some Goals
Each year, Wisconsin Lawyer Magazine does a round-up of the latest legal trends. For the second year in a row I shared my thoughts on a legal marketing trend everyone should be paying attention to.
“Whether you routinely celebrate the work anniversaries of connections on LinkedIn, or have recently purchased a Stanley Quencher, social media is influencing your actions and ideas. And it’s doing the same thing to your clients,” said Emily Stever Kelchen of Kelchen Consulting in Tennessee.
Continue Reading Legal Marketing Trends in 2024
Oct. 24, 2023 – Attorneys from across Wisconsin gathered at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells on Oct. 19-20 for the State Bar of Wisconsin’s annual Solo and Small Firm Conference (WSSFC).
Presenters discussed the effect artificial intelligence (AI) tools and other technological advances are likely to have on solo and small-firm attorneys. Attendees attended several networking receptions and sampled goods and services from dozens of vendors.
Treat AI ‘Like an Intern’
Ben Schorr, a senior content program manager
Continue Reading AI, Ethics, Lawyer Wellness Top of Solo and Small Firm Conference
About the time this Wisconsin Lawyer arrives in your mailbox, the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated will be hitting newsstands. As it does every year, Vogue’s “September issue” will highlight the fashion trends for the coming year. In December, Time will name its “Person of the Year.” These signature issues are planned many months – often as many as 6-12 months – in advance of publication. That planning is key to their success.These hotly anticipated publications are carefully crafted
Continue Reading What Your Firm Should Have in Common with Sports Illustrated
Social media is one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools that modern lawyers can use to market themselves. However, determining which platforms to use, properly setting up accounts, and deciding what to post and how often can be a daunting task. This is especially true when considering the many ethical rules that attorneys must follow when using social media, as violating the Rules of Professional Conduct can result in disciplinary actions that are costly to defend, cause reputational
Continue Reading Ethical Social Media Use for the Modern Attorney
Getting the most out of the professional and business associations you belong to is something I’m always talking about with my clients.
Most of these organizations have websites, newsletters, magazines, and social media accounts they need to fill with useful content. Some of them make a point of highlighting their members whenever possible. Putting yourself and your work forward when there is an opportunity to get before a bigger audience is a great way to raise your profile.
The
Continue Reading What Do You Know About WisLawNOW?