Chris Kirker's guest appearances

Chris Kirker

Lone Star Lawyers

Jason Scott

Erin Brockovich

Andy Jones

Brandon Waddell

Stephanie Curtis

Caroline Harrison

Amanda Taylor

Brandon Lewis

Jennifer King

Will Thomas

Anna Greenberg

Alex Bell

Josh White

Brian Lopez

Matthew Myers

OwlTail

Holly Davis

Holly Davis and Chris Kirker, founders and partners of the Austin family law boutique firm Kirker Davis, join us on today's show. They talk about Zoom best practices and the importance of hunger and believing in yourself.COVID-19 update (as of the July 30th recording date)The March shutdown created family law issuesInflux of people needing helpinterpret existing ordersknow options if they are in an abusive situationissues around kids/schoolTravis Countygoing to test a Zoom jury trial that is non-bindingessentially a pilot programdoubt we'll get to binding Zoom jury trialsBexar CountyHybrid with some Zoom voir direZoom hearings here to stayprove ups at the end of the divorce are a good example of the type of hearing that could continue post-COVIDLots of efficienciesProud of their team in both Austin and Williamson County offices in how they have adapted to the Zoom hearingshearing schedule has not reduced; it has actually increasedthere are more emergencies due to COVIDUsed to have to take yourself, a paralegal, your client, boxes of evidence to the courthouse and wait for your turn to be called; now you get a specific date/time, exhibits are submitted in advance so everyone gets to see a list and prepare ahead; it increases efficiency and transparencyProud of how the judges have adapted as wellTips/Best practicesBe organizedHave the exhibit list prepared well in advanceKnow which page number you will be looking to in your exhibitsStart doing Zoom all the time for practice and to get comfortablefirm meetingsclient consultsDon't show up right when the Zoom is starting; leads to wasted time (audio; camera; lighting; etc.)Get familiar with the other platforms that might get used (Williamson County is using Microsoft Teams)Be sure before objecting to things like admissibility or authenticationjudges have grace toward this right now and taking a more critical eye to those types of objectionsDress like you are in-person for the hearing or client meeting, etc.good advice for a job interview too!Their firm and practiceSecond iteration of a successful family law firmStrong vision of who the ideal client is and who the team is they want to put together to serve those clientsWanted to break the mold of the old way of doing things and are having success practicing in a more modern wayCreate policies that benefit the clients and associate attorneysThey have more clients calling in than they can handle so they are hiringEach associate/paralegal is considered in every decision that is madeGoal when hiring people is they would make a career here rather than a jobHigh-stakes litigation firm that can also provide service to those who aren't seeking litigation/conflictFemale owned and a majority-female firm; diversity/inclusionmerit-based so anyone can thriveAdvice for lawyers in practiceYou can survive and thrive in hard thingsLearned in law school that she could survive anything, and might even thrive in it (credits Baylor Law's Practice Court program)You can do way more than you probably think you can, but you have to do it and practice. Bring value!Adopt/model good business philosophies now while you are in the early part of your practiceIf you don't you could fall into limiting mindsetsBe mindful of how clients are going to search/discover youDon't depend on your law firm exclusivelyGoogle yourself as a client wouldFocus on a niche practice area that you are interested in and highlights your skillsPeople want experts at the highest levelAdvice for lawyers in a job searchSame advice in niche practice for client development applies to job searchingFirms want to hire someone who wants to do what the firm does, specifically. So a generalist is not as attractive as someone with a niche focus (that suits the need)Indecision about what you want to do can also create more risk for the firm who may have to replace you after a short time if you leave because it's not a good fit.At the document stage (resume/cover letter)Send a cover letter; shows more commitment/interesthighlight how serious you are about being a family law attorneyProof your resume/cover letter; so many have errorsLooking for people that are hungry to become the best at what they dosomeone with experience in another practice area who wants to make a transition to family law could be very attractive if they were great in their prior practice and are hungry to learn and become the best family lawyer they can be.Addressing this (or other potential resume negatives) in a cover letter also provides an opportunities to demonstrate your advocacy skills.InterviewsCandidates tend to focus too much on where they've been as opposed to where they are going. How does the position fit into your larger career goals?Fit of personality and can we get along is the focus.Final ThoughtsHolly - You can do it! Believe in yourself. Don't limit yourself.Chris - You aren't stuck. Take this COVID time to consider what you want.Rapid Fire QuestionsTrait you most want to see in an associate: Chris - hunger/drive/self-taught; Holly - hungerHabit has been key to your success: Chris - desire to be the best; Holly - believing in myselfFavorite App/Tool: Holly - Zoom; Chris - ClioFavorite Social Distancing Activity: Holly - taking calls while walking the neighborhood; Chris - swimmingFavorite Legal Movie - Holly - none / The Pelican Brief; Chris - A Few Good MenThanks again to Holly Davis and Chris Kirker for joining us on the show!

Holly Davis and Chris Kirker, founders and partners of the Austin family law boutique firm Kirker Davis, join us on today's show. They talk about Zoom best practices and the importance of hunger and believing in yourself. COVID-19 update (as of the July 30th recording date) The March shutdown created family law issues Influx of people needing help interpret existing orders know options if they are in an abusive situation issues around kids/school Travis County going to test a Zoom jury trial that is non-binding essentially a pilot program doubt we'll get to binding Zoom jury trials Bexar County Hybrid with some Zoom voir dire Zoom hearings here to stay prove ups at the end of the divorce are a good example of the type of hearing that could continue post-COVID Lots of efficiencies Proud of their team in both Austin and Williamson County offices in how they have adapted to the Zoom hearings hearing schedule has not reduced; it has actually increased there are more emergencies due to COVID Used to have to take yourself, a paralegal, your client, boxes of evidence to the courthouse and wait for your turn to be called; now you get a specific date/time, exhibits are submitted in advance so everyone gets to see a list and prepare ahead; it increases efficiency and transparency Proud of how the judges have adapted as well Tips/Best practices Be organized Have the exhibit list prepared well in advance Know which page number you will be looking to in your exhibits Start doing Zoom all the time for practice and to get comfortable firm meetings client consults Don't show up right when the Zoom is starting; leads to wasted time (audio; camera; lighting; etc.) Get familiar with the other platforms that might get used (Williamson County is using Microsoft Teams) Be sure before objecting to things like admissibility or authentication judges have grace toward this right now and taking a more critical eye to those types of objections Dress like you are in-person for the hearing or client meeting, etc. good advice for a job interview too! Their firm and practice Second iteration of a successful family law firm Strong vision of who the ideal client is and who the team is they want to put together to serve those clients Wanted to break the mold of the old way of doing things and are having success practicing in a more modern way Create policies that benefit the clients and associate attorneys They have more clients calling in than they can handle so they are hiring Each associate/paralegal is considered in every decision that is made Goal when hiring people is they would make a career here rather than a job High-stakes litigation firm that can also provide service to those who aren't seeking litigation/conflict Female owned and a majority-female firm; diversity/inclusion merit-based so anyone can thrive Advice for lawyers in practice You can survive and thrive in hard things Learned in law school that she could survive anything, and might even thrive in it (credits Baylor Law's Practice Court program) You can do way more than you probably think you can, but you have to do it and practice. Bring value! Adopt/model good business philosophies now while you are in the early part of your practice If you don't you could fall into limiting mindsets Be mindful of how clients are going to search/discover you Don't depend on your law firm exclusively Google yourself as a client would Focus on a niche practice area that you are interested in and highlights your skills People want experts at the highest level Advice for lawyers in a job search Same advice in niche practice for client development applies to job searching Firms want to hire someone who wants to do what the firm does, specifically. So a generalist is not as attractive as someone with a niche focus (that suits the need) Indecision about what you want to do can also create more risk for the firm who may have to replace you after a short time if you leave because it's not a good fit. At the document stage (resume/cover letter) Send a cover letter; shows more commitment/interest highlight how serious you are about being a family law attorney Proof your resume/cover letter; so many have errors Looking for people that are hungry to become the best at what they do someone with experience in another practice area who wants to make a transition to family law could be very attractive if they were great in their prior practice and are hungry to learn and become the best family lawyer they can be. Addressing this (or other potential resume negatives) in a cover letter also provides an opportunities to demonstrate your advocacy skills. Interviews Candidates tend to focus too much on where they've been as opposed to where they are going. How does the position fit into your larger career goals? Fit of personality and can we get along is the focus. Final Thoughts Holly - You can do it! Believe in yourself. Don't limit yourself. Chris - You aren't stuck. Take this COVID time to consider what you want. Rapid Fire Questions Trait you most want to see in an associate: Chris - hunger/drive/self-taught; Holly - hunger Habit has been key to your success: Chris - desire to be the best; Holly - believing in myself Favorite App/Tool: Holly - Zoom; Chris - Clio Favorite Social Distancing Activity: Holly - taking calls while walking the neighborhood; Chris - swimming Favorite Legal Movie - Holly - none / The Pelican Brief; Chris - A Few Good Men Thanks again to Holly Davis and Chris Kirker for joining us on the show!

Monday Mentors with Austin Family Lawyers Holly Davis and Chris Kirker