One of our most popular blog posts has become a trilogy! Still looking for that perfect plant to make your office a more cheerful space? You’re in luck. We’ve gather six more beautiful, easy-to-care for plant suggestions. After all, plants are a wonderful way to lift your spirits and improve your mental health. If you don’t have a green thumb, no need to worry; these are six low-maintenance plants that can easily fit into your busy lifestyle…not unlike PBI CLE!

Once you’ve picked your perfect plant, check out our upcoming live webcasts, in-person events, or our robust on-demand library. April compliance will be here before you know it, and we’re determined to help you stay ahead of the deadline with stress-free CLE that fits your schedule.

Now let’s dive in! As always, we’ve included information such as the plant’s light preference, water needs, and its toxicity, so you can find one that suits your space, all while keeping your children and pets safe (if you’re planning to put this plant in your home office).

1. Boston fern. This tropical fern is equally gorgeous in an outdoor hanging planter or an indoor pot. It can grow up to four feet long and three feet tall if given the space to do so! They come in many forms such as the Florida Ruffle (named for its feathery fronds) and the Golden Boston (which yields golden leaves).

Though the Boston fern prefers consistent moisture and humidity, it is also fairly drought tolerant, which means this hardy plant will forgive you if you forget to water it. Keep it out of the sun because it burns easily. This plant is especially thirsty in the summertime and will droop to let you know when it needs a drink. To encourage new growth, be sure to remove any dead or yellow fronds.

Care: Bright, indirect light. Water every day in the summer, every three days in winter. Consider misting them regularly.
Toxic: No.

2. Bromeliad. Did you know some types of bromeliads don’t require soil to grow? Now that’s low maintenance! These stylish houseplants purify the air, are safe for pets, and come in a variety of colors, making them one of the most popular plants to own.

Like the Boston fern, the bromeliad can tolerate drought conditions but grows best when kept moist. Their beautiful blooms can last for weeks, but once it fades, the plant will start to decline. Keep an eye out for pups (baby plants) growing around the base of the mother plant. If you handle them correctly, you can grow more bromeliads all on your own!

Care: Bright, indirect light, though some varieties prefer low light. Water every 1-2 weeks in warmer months, 2-3 weeks in colder months.
Toxic: No.

3. African violets. This lovely plant is known for its unique, velvety leaves and clusters of bright blooms. They come in all sorts of colors such as blue, purple, red, pink, and white. When in the right environment, the flowers will bloom all year round. If there are no blooms, it could be due to insufficient light, temperature issues, watering problems, or nutrient deficiencies. Remove dead flowers to make way for new ones before figuring out how to revitalize your plant. A healthy plant can live up to 50 years if you treat it right!

Avoid getting water on the leaves of the African violet. It can cause leaf spotting, crown rot, or white residue. Instead, water the base of the plant.

Care: Bright, indirect light. Water once a week.
Toxic: No.

4. Burro’s tail. This aptly named succulent can grow up to four feet long! They look best trailing from hanging planters. Since it stores water in its leaves, it doesn’t need to be watered often. It does well pot-bound (they are notoriously difficult to repot once they grow too big) and has few problems with pests. In fact, the best thing you can do for this plant is to not touch it, as the tiny leaves fall off incredibly easy. If that should happen, you can always try to propagate new plants from the discarded fragments!

Care: Partial sun. Water thoroughly every other week.
Toxic: Mild toxicity to pets.

5. String of pearls (/tears/bananas/hearts/turtles). Sometimes you get to pick your favorite color, sometimes your favorite…shape? Like the burro’s tail, this is a trailing plant that would bring a great deal of character to your office when put in a fun hanging planter or growing out of a head. They store water in their pea-like “pearls” and are resistant to drought. If you’d like the plant to look fuller, you can trim it down and add cuttings back to the top. These will take root in a few weeks.

These succulents can easily succumb to overwatering. Give them well-draining soil and only water when it’s gone completely dry. If the “pearls” look soft, squishy, or wrinkled, it’s a sign that you’re overwatering. It’s better to underwater the string of pearls than overwater. Finally, even though it’s a hanging plant, make sure sunlight is reaching the top of it as well as the strands.

Care: Bright, indirect light. Water every 2-3 weeks in warmer months, less in colder months.
Toxic: Yes.

6. Echeveria succulent. Echeveria is a genus of desert succulents, known for their rosy shape and wide range of colors. With their fleshy, water-storing leaves and ability to thrive, they’re the perfect match for busy attorneys such as yourself. They’re a standout plant in any collection.

The biggest downside to these succulents? You might not be able to just buy one! With their many different shapes, textures, and colors (plus the fact they’re non-toxic and easy to care for), you might soon find yourself with an entire garden or pot teeming with unique succulents. A succulent planter workshop is a great way to unwind and spend time with friends or family!

Care: Full sun, partial shade. Water every 2-3 weeks in warmer months, once a month in colder months.
Toxic: No.

Looking for more options? Check out our first blog on unique plants here, or the second one here, to further expand your choices!

Spring is finally here–this always inspires a nature-themed blog on Raising the Bar. This year, we’re sharing six ways you can bring nature to your doorstep.

Attorneys are no stranger to stress. Long hours, high-pressure cases, and constant deadlines can often lead to burnout. One of the best ways to boost your mental well-being? Reconnecting with nature. Research consistently shows that spending time in the great outdoors can reduce stress and improve mental health–something we all could use more of, but particularly lawyers.

Of course, your busy schedule might not lend itself to daily walks around the park. That’s why we’re writing about how to bring nature to you, allowing you to enjoy it from your home or office. This is the perfect time to ponder how nature isn’t just something we protect…it’s something we can integrate into our lives.

Let’s dive in!

Create water sources. Water is the lifeblood of Earth, sustaining every ecosystem. Since all life depends on it, creating water sources is a surefire way to bring in wildlife, especially during the hot summer months when it becomes an even more precious resource. Consider installing a small pond, setting out a bird bath, or even buying a bubbling fountain. It will bring in all sorts of guests. Also, the sound of running water is soothing to hear and reduces stress. Win-win.

Offer food. Some of us only show up to office parties when there’s free food, right? Well, animals are the same way. Make your local birds happy by providing a variety of birds feeders offering seeds, nuts, suet, or fruit. Don’t have anywhere to hang a feeder? There are simple tray feeders you can stick to your window with the help of suction cups.

Another great food source is trees and shrubs that produce fruit and berries. You’ll be the most popular place in town if you introduce such a valuable food source, which doubles as a place for animals to perch, hide, or rest in. Just make sure you’re planting a native species (more on that in a bit).

Finally, if you are a fan of composting, keep at it! Compost not only enriches the soil, but it attracts beneficial insects and invertebrates. Insects attract birds and other animals going up the food chain. If you’d like to learn more, check out this beginner’s guide to composting from NPR.

Plant a garden. There are all sorts of options when it comes to planting a garden! Who doesn’t love to grow and harvest their own food in a vegetable garden? A pollinator garden is a fantastic choice to help out our busy bumblebee and honeybee populations. Or if you’re a bird-lover, plant a unique garden with hummingbirds’ favorite flowers. Any hummingbird garden is bound to beautiful since they’re attracted to bright colors. Finally, if you’re a bit low on space, or would rather grow a garden indoors, opt for an herb garden. You can fit a number of herbs into a single planter, and they’ll happily grow side by side.

No matter what you choose, planting a garden is one of the best ways to connect with nature. It reduces screen time, calms you, and leaves you with a sense of accomplishment (and the freshest veggies around)!

Don’t have a backyard? Don’t let that stop you! If you have a porch, balcony, or railing, you can still fill that space with hanging planters. Tomatoes do particularly well in pots so long as they’re getting enough sunlight and water. Keep in mind that water drains faster from pots and raised beds, so be sure to keep everyone thoroughly hydrated.

Focus on native species. You might not realize it, but our area is teeming with invasive species who are not a natural part of the ecosystem or food chain. Invasive plants have a habit of aggressive growth and spread and will easily crowd out native species. They often have no natural predators to eliminate them, either. That’s where you come in. The next time you have a spot of downtime, arm yourself with a plant identification app, and take a stroll around your yard. Try to identify each plant, shrub, and tree, and classify it as native or invasive. If it’s invasive, rip it out and replace it with a native species! It’s a great deal of work, but it’s worth it in the end to have a more natural environment. Besides, native plants are usually lower maintenance in the long run.

Check out this article from Stauffers of Kissel Hill to learn more about the benefits of native plants, as well as recommendations for what you can plant in your yard.

Leave some areas wild. A manicured lawn sprayed in chemicals has no place in the natural world, especially since pesticides can harm helpful insects. Sometimes, the best thing we can do for nature is to not interfere at all. Leaving a portion of land untouched might be the easiest action (or lack of action) on this list. Wild, unmowed areas offer a lot to wildlife. Leaf litter and brush piles provide shelter and food. Wildflowers invite bees, butterflies, and other insects.

Nature is a delicate balance, but also pretty good at working itself out when it needs to.

Nature can be a powerful tool to reduce stress and enhance your mental clarity. The best part? It’s all around you and doesn’t require a major lifestyle change. With a little bit of effort, you can bring it straight to your doorstep and experience the benefits firsthand.

If you’d rather have nature inside with you rather than outside, we’ve got you covered there, too. Look forward to yet another blog post on even more unique and low-maintenance plants for your office, coming next week!

Raise your hand if you keep getting those texts saying that you owe money for passing through a toll booth on the turnpike, even though you never did. Or maybe your inbox is flooded with emails trying to bill you for something you never paid for. Or perhaps you’re constantly fielding voicemails where the sheriff or the IRS is threatening to come take you away. These are just a few examples of scams that have become so common that almost everyone has experienced them in one way or another.

Unfortunately, there’s an incredibly long list of scams to be wary of. Read on to learn about common scams circulating within our country as well as signs to help you identify them. These dead giveaways should garner suspicion and keep you from jumping straight into the traps that have been set.

Scammers are continuously harnessing the latest technology and becoming cleverer over time so you must remain ever vigilant. Seniors are particularly susceptible to scams and often targeted due to this fact. By learning what scams to be on guard against, you’ll not only help yourself, but have the capabilities of helping your loved ones and your clients.

1. The Imposter Scam. One of the most common scams is when the scammer impersonates someone of importance such as a government official, tax collector, utility company, or postal service. They will contact you first and either ask for personal information, such as your password or social security number, or pressure you into making an immediate payment. Alternatively, the scammer might choose to impersonate your boss or bank, if they have that information. They might request strange forms of payment such as gift cards or wire transfers or simply go after your credit card number. They might even spoof their phone number to look legitimate or grant themselves the same area code as you to further convince you this is the real deal.

Scammers will always try to bring about a sense of urgency. Depending on who they’re posing as, they might threaten immediate arrest or termination. Their goal is to apply pressure, imbue panic, keep you on the line, and gain access to your money as quickly as possible. Instead, take a deep breath and pause. Know that government agencies and banks will never demand payments over the phone or threaten immediate arrest. If you want to double check this is real, get off the phone and call a legitimate number. For example, if you’re not sure that you’re talking to your boss, hang up and reach out to them through a known medium to confirm if they really did want you to buy a $100 dollar gift card for the company picnic.

2. The Grandparent/Grandchild Scam. Artificial intelligence has brought about new levels of disturbing in the world of scams. Voice-cloning technology has allowed scammers to create fake voices that can mimic the sound of your loved ones with a single recording of their voice. Scammers are using it to call seniors and pose as their grandchildren, pretending to be in jail, injured, or stranded. They ask for money and secrecy, begging the grandparent not to tell anyone.

This scam can appear in other forms as well, such as a daughter pretending to be kidnapped and crying for their parent to pay a ransom. The scammers will threaten her life if you try to hang up. It’s a terrifying situation, but it has the same solution as the Imposter Scam: try to call your loved one and verify if the situation is real or not.

For seniors who are worried about this happening to them, some states have financial exploitation laws that allow banks to put a hold on suspicious withdrawals. Attorneys can help seniors set up legal safeguards like trusted contacts and financial power of attorney to prevent unauthorized withdrawals. If you’re a knowledgeable elder law attorney and handle this type of work all the time, and you haven’t joined the Elder Law Institute this summer, be sure to check out the Elder Law Institute 2025 E-Book!

3. The Tech Support Scam. This is when a scammer pretends to be a Microsoft, Apple, or antivirus company representative, warning that your computer is infected. The fraudster tricks you into granting remote access, allowing them to steal personal information or demand payment for fake services. This scam can appear as an email or as an alarming popup that tries to invoke fear. It will encourage you to call a number and that’s when the scammer will ask you to give them control of your device.

Another way to spot scams is to read emails very carefully. Check the address and domain of the sender. Look for typos in the body of the email. Google if anyone else has gotten the same message and can confirm it’s a scam. Scam emails don’t usually appear professional and are littered with errors…but that doesn’t mean they’re not making efforts to break that stereotype. Proceed with caution and never click any suspicious links within these emails!

4. The Sweetheart Scam. Many lonely hearts have fallen victim to this “catfishing” scam. A catfish is someone who pretends to be someone they are not online, with the goal of luring you into a romantic relationship and/or draining your wallet. They’re banking on an emotional connection to manipulate you. After exchanging sweet nothings, the catfish will fake an emergency or express their desire to visit you. However, they never have the money for medical bills or travel expenses and it’s on you to provide it.

The biggest red flag of this scam: You will be hard-pressed to ever get them on a video call, because these scammers use fake pictures of beautiful men and women. If you try to, they will most likely have an excuse as to why they cannot facetime you or meet you in person. They will keep the focus on you sending money, instead.

5. The Too-Good-To-Be-True Scam. Congratulations, you’ve won the sweepstakes! The prize? A hefty sum of money and a free vacation! Claim your prize before it’s too late! The only problem is…you never entered this sweepstakes. Sometimes scammers try to thrill you in order to drop your guard. Unfortunately, these scenarios are often too good to be true and are probably one click away from asking you to pay some kind of fee.

In conclusion, if you ever suspect a scam, take a moment to stop and think instead of succumbing to panic or excitement. Verify the source of the message you received. Refuse to share your personal information with all unsolicited callers, no matter what they’re threatening. Take the time to warn others so they don’t fall prey.

Scammers may continue to evolve their tactics but knowing the red flags and always staying on guard can help you stay one step ahead. Whether you’re an attorney, caregiver, or simply looking to protect yourself and your loved ones, education is the best defense!

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing various industries unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. We previously tackled AI’s relationship to Health Law and Real Estate. It only makes sense to tackle AI’s impact on the environment next!

As legal professionals, understanding AI’s impact on various fields of law is crucial. These tools may enhance efficiency, decision-making, and innovation, but they also present ethical dilemmas and other unforeseen issues. It’s your duty to stay on top of these evolving trends so that you can effectively shape new policies. Our CLE will help you do just that. Whether you’re looking to harness AI for smarter time management in your law firm or to stay on top of the latest in environmental law, we’ve got you covered.

Now read on…

When you think about it, AI and the environment might feel like two completely opposite ends of a spectrum. AI brings to mind futuristic robots in a corporate landscape, vastly different from unspoiled nature. AI has an insatiable demand for energy. Training a single AI model requires massive computational power, relying on data centers that take up land space and utilize high amounts of electricity to power operations. Here’s an alarming fact: Ireland’s data centers consumed more electricity last year than all of its urban homes combined. This rise is demand for data processing and AI learning has raised concerns about climate targets for the country. This begs the question: Does artificial intelligence’s benefits outweigh its environmental costs?

That’s not the only issue. The AI boom requires high-performance hardware such as GPUs (graphics processing units) and semiconductor chips, leading to an increased demand for rare earth minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Mining operations for these materials often result in soil degradation and water pollution. Technology is moving fast and constantly being upgraded, which means this hardware is quickly being replaced and contributing to electric waste, a growing global concern.

All of these concerns raise important legal considerations. How can we minimize our carbon footprint despite this growing technology? How do we incentivize companies to pursue renewable energy sources for AI training, hardware recycling, and responsible mineral sourcing? Should water and energy consumption limits be placed on tech companies operating large AI data centers? Certainly some food for thought.

Despite its significant footprint, AI still has the potential to mitigate environmental damage when used correctly, making it a double-edged sword. AI-powered algorithms help scientists predict extreme weather events with greater accuracy, allowing governments to prepare for hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters. In fact, Google has an AI-based flood forecasting system that has improved warning times by up to 48 hours in high-risk areas! With these systems in place, we can easily receive warnings and take action from there.

Ironically, AI can also help with energy efficiency and water conservation through predictive analytics. By predicting demand, it can improve efficiency and reduce waste. These tools can be used to assist in tackling climate change. Though it might take a lot of energy in the beginning, it might be a worthy pursuit in the long run.

AI’s environmental impact raises critical legal and regulatory questions, as it always does. In the case of the environment, the question is who bears the responsibility for AI’s carbon footprint? The government? The company that trained the AI? Those who are utilizing it? Speaking of, how do we utilize it responsibly? AI has shown us that it makes mistakes and can’t completely be relied on. How do we monitor compliance?

One thing is for certain: AI is here to stay. The question is, will we regulate it wisely to protect our environment or will we let it become another unchecked contributor to climate change? The answer lies in the hands of policymakers, environmental lawyers, and advocates like you.

It’s difficult to set standards when AI is advancing at such a rapid rate. That’s why it’s important you stay at the forefront of the conversation.

We’ve written about healthy foods to put in your body in the past…but what foods shouldn’t you put into your body? You might already be thinking “Yeah, yeah, I know to avoid junk food, it’s the age-old advice.” It’s true that ultra-processed food and junk food go hand in hand, but it can sometimes show up where you might not expect it.

It’s too easy for busy attorneys like yourself to put your mental and physical health on the backburner as you address the needs of clients first. However, it’s important to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others, and nutrition plays a big part in that. After working long hours, it might be tempting to go for whatever is quick and easy, but that can be damaging in the long run. Let’s take a closer look at the dangers of ultra-processed food together.

Unprocessed vs. Processed vs. Ultra-Processed. It’s important to understand exactly what qualifies as ultra-processed food before tackling why it’s so bad for you. Here’s a comparison between the aforementioned three types of food:

Unprocessed: Food in its original form including fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, eggs, and nuts.
Processed: Food that has gone through a change such as canned food, cheese, beef jerky, wine, and olive oil.
Ultra-Processed: Food that has been broken down and created through industrial processes such as packaged cereal, cookies, candy, chips, frozen dinners, soda, and protein bars.

You could not make ultra-processed food at home if you wanted to. They are created from basic food crops such as corn, wheat, and potatoes, which are broken down into their molecular parts and pressed into a slurry-like substance. These hard-to-pronounce “ingredients” are industrially manufactured. From there, artificial colorings, flavorings, preservatives, and glue-like emulsifiers are added, and the slurry is crafted into something that resembles food…but it’s more like pre-digested food if anything.

This pre-digested slurry has little in the way of nutrients and moves through your digestive system incredibly fast. It will not grant you the feeling of fullness, but it will make you crave more since it gives you a hit of dopamine with its addicting taste. It’s the illusion of food and nothing like the fuel your body needs to keep going.

Here’s a scary fact: Estimates say 73% of the food supply in the U.S. is made up of ultra-processed foods. The sad truth is it’s cheaper for food companies to reduce real foods into molecules and reassemble them into addicting ultra-processed foods. Times are tight and work keeps us busy; it’s too easy to opt for what’s cheap and convenient. It may not nourish our bodies, but it certainly nourishes their profit margins. Quality and health are not their priority…which is why you have to make it yours!

Take time to check the ingredients of what you’re buying. The fewer ingredients and the more words you recognize, the better. Those crazy ingredients you’ve never heard of or struggle to pronounce usually mean it’s factory-produced, which you should be wary of. Watch out for artificial dyes too, considering we’re fresh off the Red Dye No. 3 ban. You never know what could get banned next (though we should all have an inkling).

Doing this might just surprise you! For example, you might think applesauce is healthy, but it’s usually pumped full of sugars. And that cereal billing itself as being heart-healthy might not be so healthy after all. Reach for food in its most original form instead.

One last bit of advice: be aware of liquid calories. These same threats reside in what we drink as well as what we eat, and you can ingest a mind-blowing number of calories through sugary soda pop or your favorite Starbucks drink.

We are still in the process of finding out exactly what harmful consequences ultra-processed food will have on our society, but more and more studies are being released, linking these foods to cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, and so on. Harvard Health recently released a study observing the link between depression and ultra-processed foods, given their ability to disrupt our gut microbiomes (which happen to have a direct connection to our brains). Lawyers are already at great risk of depression, burnout, and other mental health problems due to high stress careers. It’s important to find ways to mitigate burnout before it’s too late.

These unhealthy and addictive foods also sap your mental sharpness, contribute to brain fog, and increase feelings of stress, something a hard-working attorney can’t afford. This is because they cause blood sugar spikes, nutrient deficiencies, and trigger inflammation in both the brain and the gut. Not only are you starving your mind of the fuel it needs, but you’re also offering it harmful substances that slow it down.

If ultra-processed food is a staple of your diet, it’s time to rethink your meal plans and snack smarter. Prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods that have been minimally processed, and you will find yourself feeling better for it. Stay sharp for your clients!

Remember: fuel for your body is fuel for your practice! By cutting back on ultra-processed foods and making smarter choices, you can boost your energy, focus, and long-term health, allowing you to be at your best for your clients, your colleagues, and yourself.

Want to learn more? Check out this article from Healthline.

Reproductive health law is at the center of some of the most dynamic and contentious legal debates in the United States today. It has undergone significant transformations in these past few years. If you’re an attorney who practices health law, you can’t afford to miss a single instant.

It’s crucial to examine these changes, understand their implications, and discuss the future of reproductive care. Let’s examine the most pressing issues in reproductive health law today and explore their implications together.

The legal landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, with evolving policies on abortion access, in vitro fertilization (IVF), contraceptive rights, and the intersection of religious and medical freedoms. These changes impact healthcare providers, legal professionals, policymakers, and—most importantly—patients seeking reproductive care.

Legal battles over reproductive care is being waged on multiple fronts. Some states are making efforts to restrict access to abortion while others have enacted protective measures. Some laws are being upheld while others are challenged in courts.

With federal and state laws constantly changing, legal professionals face unique challenges in advising healthcare providers, navigating compliance issues, and advocating for patient rights. Court decisions and new legislation continue to redefine the boundaries of reproductive care, making it essential for those in the health law field to stay informed. From there, attorneys must ensure they are keeping their clients educated and work towards developing clear guidelines and policies that protect both providers and patients in the realm of reproductive health.

There are a number of implications for healthcare providers and patients to be aware of.

Legal uncertainty. The fluctuating legal environment creates challenges for healthcare providers striving to comply with varying federal and state regulations. Patients may face confusion and barriers when seeking reproductive health services, emphasizing the need for clear communication and legal guidance. Many patients have considered crossing state borders to find a solution, further muddying the waters. These complicated issues require extensive research to clear away any uncertainties.

Privacy concerns. With changes in policy enforcement, concerns about the privacy of individuals seeking reproductive care have intensified. Many women have turned away from period-tracking apps and are now hesitant to share information with their doctors. Healthcare providers must navigate these complexities to protect patient information while adhering to legal requirements.

Access to services. Policy shifts, such as the enforcement of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion, and changes in clinic access protections, may disproportionately affect marginalized communities, potentially limiting their access to essential reproductive health services. Recent legislation has created a patchwork system where the availability of services varies widely depending solely on location. Those in rural communities and from low-income households face greater challenges in finding care. Patients in restrictive states must travel for services, increasing financial and logistical burdens.

The legal complexities surrounding reproductive healthcare are far from settled. As access to reproductive healthcare continues to be challenged, attorneys, policymakers, and medical professionals must stay informed and proactive in shaping the future of health law.

Staying informed and engaged is essential for all attorneys, no matter the field. That’s why PBI is committed to bringing you the timeliest CLE there is, so you can stay at the forefront while scoring stress-free compliance!

AI is transforming healthcare at a rapid pace, bringing innovation, efficiency, and new challenges for legal professionals. As AI-powered tools become more integrated into healthcare delivery, lawyers practicing in health law must navigate a shifting landscape of patient privacy, liability concerns, regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations.

Let’s take a closer look at the relationship of AI and health law together.

Patient privacy. Artificial intelligence can analyze vast amounts of medical data, predict health outcomes, and even assist in robotic surgeries. However, with these advancements come significant legal and ethical concerns, such as protecting patient privacy. Since AI relies on existing data for training, that means private health information can be at risk. Companies must be held accountable for training their AI behind closed doors without receiving permission.

As AI becomes more embedded in healthcare workflows, data protection strategies must evolve to keep up. Health law attorneys must ensure that AI use is complying with patient privacy laws while also addressing any cybersecurity risks in the medical system.

Liability. What happens when an AI-powered diagnosis tool makes an incorrect recommendation? Or when a robotic-assisted surgery results in unexpected complications? Determining liability in AI-driven healthcare is one of the most pressing legal challenges in this space. Does it fall on the physician, the hospital, or the AI developer? Health law attorneys will play the crucial role in shaping these decisions of the future.

Compliance. Despite the challenges, AI can also be a powerful tool for healthcare compliance, helping to detect fraud, waste, and abuse, ensuring that healthcare providers adhere to regulatory requirements. It can do this by monitoring billing and claims, analyzing electronic health records for errors, and predicting risks before they result in violations. For attorneys, understanding how AI can streamline compliance efforts will be critical in advising clients on risk management and regulatory strategies.

Ethical concerns. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, ethical concerns are at the forefront of legal discussions. While AI has the potential to improve efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility, it also raises significant questions about bias, transparency, patient autonomy, and accountability. Lawyers working in health law must be prepared to navigate these ethical dilemmas and help shape policies that promote both innovation and patient protection.

We must remember that AI is imperfect, considering it is learning from us imperfect humans!

Join the conversation! If you have missed to attend Day 1 and Day 2 of the Health Law Institute, you can review the Health Law Institute 2025 E-Book! The future of healthcare is constantly changing, and you must be prepared to tackle its challenges. This essential institute involves discussions of AI and healthcare, and much, much, more!

Traditional work culture was flipped on its head about five years ago. Some lawyers still cling to in-person client meetings and stacks of case files overflowing from drawers, but many others have made the shift to the virtual world. Today, more lawyers than ever are working remotely at least part of the time, striking a perfect balance between the two worlds.

Last year, we wrote about how the coveted hybrid work model is the secret to attracting top talent to your firm. Young people especially love the possibilities of a remote or hybrid job. But is remote work truly beneficial for you and your clients? Whether you resist it or love it, the facts are the facts. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of remote work in the legal industry.

The Pros…

Flexibility. Remote work can offer varying levels of flexibility and allow you to create a personalized schedule that works for you. For example, if you know you get your best work done in the morning, you can get an early jump to align work with your productivity peak. If you have caregiving duties and need to take your kids to school, remote work can allow for that. Less rigid work hours can mean a better work-life balance too, something attorneys are known to struggle with.

Cost savings. With remote work, both the company and the individual will find themselves saving money! Less in-office days means less money spent on gas, utilities, and in-office perks such as all those K-cups! You might even save money on parking or your professional wardrobe. The company can reinvest these savings into new technology or cybersecurity measures while you spend the extra money however you like.

Who can complain about saving a little bit of money? In fact, you might make a little money, too! No commute means more billable hours. Take that time that would’ve been spent sitting in traffic and turn it into casework, client meetings, or even a spot of self-care.

Enhanced focus. This may vary from person to person, but many say they get more work done at home with no coworkers to distract them. At home, you’re more in control of your space and can optimize it for comfort and concentration. At work, you can’t always control the lighting, noise levels, or temperature. Of course, it all depends on your environment! Maybe you get more work done at the office because you have children and pets who want your attention at home. You might want to draw strict boundaries in which you literally leave work and work. In that case, it’s not to have your options open!

The Cons…

Collaboration. As useful as Zoom is, face-to-face interactions go a long way in building rapport. Your clients might find comfort in holding in-person interactions with you. It’s an opportunity to deepen the trust between you and reassure them that they are in good hands. The same goes for your coworkers. Remote work can slow down communication and hinder collaboration if you’re not careful. It’s harder to build a sense of community among employees or encourage mentorship. Some things are just too hard to foster virtually.

Feel like collaboration at your firm could use a little boost? Check out last week’s blog post!

Client confidentiality. If your legal work is all going to be virtual, you need to ensure the sensitive information your client has trusted you with is protected. Use secure cloud-based legal software to manage important documents. Be sure all of your technology is up to date and steer clear of clicking on sketchy emails. Keep your firm educated on cybersecurity risks with regular training and make client confidentiality a top priority.

Blurred boundaries. While some might view remote work as an opportunity for improved work-life balance, others might witness the two blending together. When your home is your office, it might be tempting to constantly check your emails or squeeze in extra work. Be careful not to invite burnout! You can establish mental and physical boundaries between work and home life, even when fully remote. It could be as simple as a change of clothes to get you into a work or relaxation mindset. It’s also a good idea to confine all work to a specific room you’ve chosen for your at-home office. When you step out of this room, work has officially ended for the day.

Don’t let these work-life boundaries blur, for the sake of your mental state!

Like all things, remote work has its good and bad points! Some workers thrive in it, while others prefer the physical office setting. It all comes down to individual preference and company productivity. The key is finding a balance that allows attorneys to remain productive, secure, and connected to their colleagues and clients.

In the legal profession, individual achievements such as closing a big case can often take the spotlight…but there’s one aspect that should never be forgotten when it comes to setting the stage for success: teamwork. Excellent collaboration is essential in delivering the best outcomes for clients and fostering a productive workplace. It can also raise the morale and wellbeing of your coworkers. Teamwork is the silent hero that keeps everything flowing smoothly.

If you feel the collaboration at your law firm could be improved upon, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are six strategies to promote improved collaboration in your workplace that will hopefully leave you feeling inspired and ready to tackle new ideas!

Create a culture of communication. Between the rise of remote work and a competitive, high-pressure work environment, communication can often become lost in the background of busy attorney life. However, streamlined, effective communication can do so much for any workplace! Make sure you’re encouraging open communication between your team members where all voices are valued, regardless of the level of experience. No one should ever feel like they can’t share their opinion or ask for help.

Regular, weekly team check-ins are a great way for everyone to stay on top of the latest information. It’s also healthy to spend a little time broaching non-work topics, as this can help your team grow closer. Deeper connections mean improved collaboration in the long run! Plus, it just makes people happy.

Invest in the right tools. There are plenty of tools available to take your firm’s collaboration to the next level. Slack is great for direct messages and quick communication, when you’re tired of waiting on people to get back to you through email. You can also hop into a quick voice huddle if written communication is just not cutting it. Microsoft Teams is another great option to bridge the communication gap and excels at scheduling and hosting video conferences.

If you’d like something more in the vein of project management, look no further than Trello or ClickUp. Both are highly favored for their ability to organize projects, track tasks, and ultimately improve your workflows. If communication is often a pain point for your team members, maybe some project management software is just what the doctor ordered.

Cross-pollinate departmental knowledge. Everyone has different skillsets and backgrounds, but it still can’t hurt to broaden one’s horizons. It’s always good for different departments to get to know one another and understand the work everyone does. Encourage the occasional brainstorming session where departments can discuss pain points, work on problem-solving, or just simply get to know one another better.

Foster camaraderie with team building activities. Tight deadlines can often leave little time for team-building efforts. Do your best to secure a space for team building when these moments do exist. Perhaps things slow down a little during the summer or there’s a day you can get together around the holidays. It may seem arbitrary to some, but camaraderie has a direct line to morale, productivity, and (of course) collaboration. Nothing brings people together like delicious food or a little friendly competition. If there’s no time during work hours, the occasional after-work happy hour or trivia contest could be a fun idea.

Or better yet, kill two birds with one stone: use PBI CLE as an opportunity for team building among your attorneys while simultaneously checking off compliance! Enroll your team in a live webcast or even an in-person event where they can learn and network together. Afterwards, you can host a follow-up discussion at your firm and reflect on what you learned.

Promote mentorship. Every day can be a learning opportunity if you keep an open mind! Facilitate growth among your employees by pairing junior attorneys with senior attorneys. A structured mentorship program with regular check-ins and feedback loops will be incredibly helpful to those new to the profession. Odds are, maybe they will even be able to teach you something in return!

Recognize and reward collaboration. It’s crucial to let everyone know that their hard work is not going unnoticed. Incentives are a great way to motivate your team. Don’t ever hesitate to highlight a successful team effort during meetings. Does your firm ever recognize an employee of the year? Try introducing this program but give the power to the rest of the firm, letting them nominate who they think deserves it. It might even open your eyes to collaboration efforts you weren’t even aware of.

Take some time to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of your team or perhaps invite them to start a conversation on where they think improvements could be made. Collaboration isn’t simply “working together.” It’s taking the time to create an environment where every voice matters, and effective teamwork and communication can deliver better outcomes for your clients. Don’t ever underestimate the power of collaboration!

“Burnout” has become quite the buzzword in the past few years, particularly among the legal community, where discussions of mental health are of utmost importance. In case you didn’t already know, burnout is defined as the state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. It can creep up on the most dedicated attorneys and measures must be taken to ward against it. After all, how can you assist others if you yourself are drowning?

In the past, we published an article on how to recognize the symptoms of burnout, a very valuable read, especially if you suspect that you or a loved one may be suffering from it. If you’d like to learn more, take a few minutes to read that first article before returning to this one and learning five methods that can help combat burnout.

Read on.

Prioritize work-life balance. It’s not enough to say that you value work-life balance. You have to mean it and follow through. Draw boundaries between your professional and personal lives. Learn how to unplug from work and resist checking your email or tackling tasks when you should be resting. If your workload is busting at the seams, learn how to say no to new responsibilities without the guilt, or else you might find yourself overwhelmed.

It’s much easier to prevent burnout than it is to banish it! Cultivate a healthy work-life balance and you’ll never have to experience that feeling of being utterly drained.

Streamline your workload. It’s time to put a magnifying glass on your professional life and ponder where improvements could be made. Don’t hesitate to get creative with it; there are plenty of ways to streamline your workload. It could be as simple as relying more on the members of your firm. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks when necessary.

Embracing technology is another way you could make life easier. Maybe it’s time you integrated artificial intelligence into your firm. Or perhaps what you need is new project management software to really keep you organized. Identify the pain points of your career and seek out if a solution exists.

Embrace mindfulness. Being mindful of what your body needs can improve your mental health. Make sure you’re eating well, carving out time to exercise, and taking a little time to meditate or self-reflect each day. A mere ten minutes of meditation and deep breathing can reduce stress. Ask yourself…what relieves stress in your life? A relaxing massage or running a marathon? Make room in your schedule for your favorite stress-relieving activities and you will feel much better for it.

Read this past blog to learn more about mindfulness or check out these simple ways to self-care.

Seek support. Networking is important to every attorney…but what about a support network? You should be able to lean on your family, friends, and colleagues during difficult times. It will go a long way for your well-being. If that’s not possible, consider joining a bar association (such as the PBA!) where you can discuss challenges and rely on your fellow attorneys.

If needed, don’t hesitate to seek professional support. Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers is a confidential helpline provided at no charge to Pennsylvania lawyers. Learn more here.

Remember your passion. Sometimes it gets dark, and we lose sight of what’s important, but know that the sunrise is never far off. Look within you to remember your “why” …the reason you decided to take on the challenges of being an attorney. Keep the flame of your passion for your profession burning. After all, you play a valuable role in so many lives! Don’t forget that!

It’s time to start the new year off on the right foot! What better way to set yourself up for success than mastering an effective morning routine for 2025?

Starting your day right is especially important in a high-stress profession such as law. A good night’s sleep and a helpful morning routine can improve your mental clarity and boost your productivity for the day. It can also be something to look forward to and help motivate you to get out of bed each morning. So why not give it a shot?

Remember: even if you don’t consider yourself a morning person, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a morning routine!

Wake up early. At least, as early as you can while still being a functional human being. Too little sleep and too much sleep both have consequences. Instead of making it about getting up early, focus on getting the perfect amount of sleep for your body. You know yourself best. Waking up early will get you a good jumpstart on the day, but don’t do it at the detriment of your energy and focus.

Use that extra bit of time in the morning to set your intention for the day or practice a little mindfulness to clear your head. Steer clear of immediately hopping onto your phone or laptop. Not just to avoid the stressors of work notifications, but to give your brain time to fully transition into wakefulness. Read more on why you shouldn’t check your phone first thing in the morning here.

Have a hearty and healthy breakfast. So many people love to skip breakfast, but it’s the most important meal of the day for good reason! Be sure to eat a big breakfast full of nutrients. Meals including protein, such as meat or eggs, will keep you feeling full longer, and give you plenty of energy to take on the day. Avoid foods with high sugar content, such as cereal, which cause sugar crashes that will leave you feeling sluggish in the afternoon. Pair your healthy breakfast with a tall glass of water because our bodies often need extra hydration in the morning. Once you’ve done that…

Get your body moving. Nothing will wake you up faster than movement. Once your body is moving, your brain will have no choice but to follow. As a busy attorney, you probably don’t have time to hit the gym for an hour (and if you do because you wake up super early, kudos to you!). Nothing says you have to start each day with strenuous exercise. It could be a 10-minute morning yoga session or a quick walk around the block–bonus points if you can get some sunlight on your face. Natural light keeps your circadian rhythm in top shape and helps you wake up faster.

Don’t even have time for that? Then create a morning playlist full of your favorite songs that get you hyped. Listen to them as you move about and prepare for the day ahead. Feel free to throw in a little bit of dancing if you’re really feeling the beat.

Get your brain moving, too. It’s gotten to the point where I never skip a daily Wordle, or my new favorite word-finding game, Strands. Each game only takes a few minutes to play unless you get majorly stumped. It’s the perfect way to wake up your brain while sipping on that morning cup of coffee. A classic crossword puzzle is another great option. Or you could wake up your brain with a little bit of journaling before diving into your day.

Review your calendar. Now it’s time to shift into work mode. What are your priorities for the day? Do you have a to-do list? If not, time to get started on one. Make sure you’re tackling the hardest tasks when you’re at your most productive! If you have a court appearance, practice positive visualizations for what’s to come. You got this!

Measure the impact. Observe how you’re feeling after trying this routine for a month. What’s working for you? What could use improvement?

Try your new routine for a month, or at least 21 days, which is how long it takes to form a habit. Once you form a habit, you will move automatically and not need so much brainpower to perform these tasks, making them easier as time goes on.

Want to build some CLE into your morning routine and check compliance off your list? Check out PBI’s upcoming live webcasts here!

Ready for 2025? It’s certainly promising to be another interesting year. Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. The conversation on various workplace models carries on. Through it all, the legal world is tied to every change, and it’s more imperative than ever for attorneys to stay informed.

At PBI, our goal is to help you do just that with timely CLE and helpful blog posts. So here are 3 major trends to keep an eye on in the coming year.

Artificial Intelligence. It should come as no surprise that AI tops this list. Ever since its conception, it has continued to learn and adapt at an almost frightening speed. However, embracing change rather than resisting it always get you farther in the end–the American Bar Association found that firms bringing AI into the fold saw a 20% increase in productivity back in 2023. However, the majority of attorneys surveyed were unsure about AI or had no interest in purchasing it. Over a year later, is it time for a change in perspective?

One thing is certain: AI is going to inspire new laws and affect current ones. Even if you have zero interest in integrating this technology into your firm, you can’t close your eyes to it completely. PBI offers quite a few on-demand courses on the subject, aiming to keep you informed on how artificial intelligence is influencing society, being integrated into practices, and much more. Check them out here.

How can AI be applied to legal work? It can streamline tedious work such as drafting contracts, reviewing documents, and analyzing case law, freeing lawyers up to deal with more pressing matters. Some predict AI could become virtual legal assistants who enhance client services in new ways. In a competitive industry such as law, AI can offer a much-needed edge over the competition.

Take it from this creative marketer who initially resisted AI and now fully embraces it–it really can enhance your workflow or help you out of a rut. Keep an open mind in the coming year as AI continues to evolve and demonstrate what it can do.

Flexible Work Models. Since Covid, remote work is coveted by many, and hybrid work has taken law firms by storm. Many young professionals are prioritizing flexibility. Offering a hybrid work environment is a smart way to attract top talent to your firm. It’s worth it for attorneys to keep an eye on the advancements made, and what’s yielding positive results.

For example, leveling up your technological skills and mastering virtual collaboration tools ties in with successful remote work. Apps such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom can help you stay connected with your team and maintain a presence in your firm. Project management software, such as ClickUp or Monday, promotes organization and accountability. If you’d like to take your tech skills up a notch, check out our ongoing CLE series “Technology 101 for Legal Professionals,” which covers various topics of value to attorneys.

Of course, being a lawyer is about building relationships–between your client, your coworkers, and your fellow lawyers. When you want to forge lasting connections, nothing beats being face-to-face. Hybrid work is certainly the best of both worlds in that respect.

The legal landscape must continue to be innovative and adaptable as the workplace continues to evolve and settle into a “new normal.”

Client Expectations. As we abandon the mantra of “this is the way we’ve always done it” and try new things, client expectations continue to change as well. This shift in technology has put traditional hourly billing models under a microscope. Clients are now seeking greater transparency in legal costs, with a preference for flat fees or value-based billing. This will encourage a focus on efficiency and results. Like anyone else, clients also value flexibility and might seek the option for remote consultations. Proactive communication is a pillar of the attorney-client relationship.

With everything going digital, clients will also expect robust cybersecurity measures to keep their information safe, and more tailored legal solutions that address their specific needs. A more personalized approach to each case will leave clients satisfied. Firms who prioritize client satisfaction experience higher retention rates in the long run. And who doesn’t want to keep their clients happy?

What trends are you keeping an eye on as we head into the new year?

As always, thanks so much for reading Raising the Bar! Have a wonderful holiday and we’ll see you in 2025!