Elan Techlaw

Elan Techlaw Technology law services. With a focus on enabling business owners to solve their own tech law problems with minimal legal expense. Based in Toronto, Canada.

I guess sometimes I'm too literal, or something.I think when opposing teams say they need to get deals done by a certain...
02/25/2022

I guess sometimes I'm too literal, or something.

I think when opposing teams say they need to get deals done by a certain date, and provide a seemingly solid reason for it, I tend to work to that. You know, making concessions that seem needed to hit the target both sides have agreed to aim for.

I bugs me then when the other side doesn't do that, and I then have to adjust my approach. It seems so wasteful.

Shame on me, or shame on them?

Mentors look out for you, not looking out for themselves first in the relationship.That's not to say they get no value f...
02/22/2022

Mentors look out for you, not looking out for themselves first in the relationship.

That's not to say they get no value from you, just that it isn't their focus.

If you don't feel that way about your mentor, maybe you find a new one?

I've been extremely blessed in my career, with so many mentors being so gracious. I hope I make deposits in that account as I continue my career and life.

Whether your product or service is digital or virtual, I think the goal should be the same.Provide value to your custome...
02/18/2022

Whether your product or service is digital or virtual, I think the goal should be the same.

Provide value to your customer.

Simple, right? I mean, I guess so. But really, I think you need to be willing to think macro (many customers, the planet, families, etc) and micro (does it REALLY provide value or just assumed value or something).

Maybe what we should ask ourselves is whether we'd like our kids to use the product or service. You know, like tech folks not letting their kids use iPads?

Happy belated Valentine's Day!I used to call my career my "mistress" because it took so much time away from my relations...
02/15/2022

Happy belated Valentine's Day!

I used to call my career my "mistress" because it took so much time away from my relationship to my (now) wife.

I think it's okay to have that kind of "mistress", but make sure that 1) they provide things you actually want and need, and 2) you don't ever lose focus that they are, at best, second in line behing your family and friends.

Arguments and disagreements can come out of insecurity.I remember one negotiation, early in my M&A career, where we had ...
02/11/2022

Arguments and disagreements can come out of insecurity.

I remember one negotiation, early in my M&A career, where we had to go back to first principles of corporate share ownership. Except I didn't know first principles.

I got my back up and the discussion devolved briefly.

Opposing counsel was gracious. He realized I was a bit out of my element, didn't embarass me in front of my client, and agreed we would park the issue.

He remained an elegant and classy lawyer throughout the deal. And avoided the deal going off the rails because he didn't push on my insecurity.

Turns out not being a jerk resulted in doing a really good job he did for his client too.

Form, function, or both?People work differently. Me, I can work in a dingy space with a crappy chair and poor lighting. ...
02/08/2022

Form, function, or both?

People work differently. Me, I can work in a dingy space with a crappy chair and poor lighting. I might not prefer to, but I can. I'm a function person.

Others need to feel inspired by their surroundings, or otherwise feel "better set up" than me. They might be form people.

Some require both.

Ultimately it doesn't matter. What matters is that you find a situation that works for you...and it helps if you know whether you're form or function before trying to figure it out!

Everyone is going to make mistakes in their career.I remember sending an internal email externally to a client, overlook...
02/04/2022

Everyone is going to make mistakes in their career.

I remember sending an internal email externally to a client, overlooking a detail on an M&A file, realizing that I'd drafted some patent claims in a way that they could not be infringed.

When they happen, it feels like the world is falling apart.

Of course, it isn't. But what makes us successful isn't just minimizing the number of errors, but minimizing the impact of those errors.

Take accountability, in an authentic way. Then move quickly to solution mode, requesting as little of other people as possible.

We're all human and we've all been there.

Do you know what might be the best business development tool for lawyers?Checking in with your existing clients, especia...
02/01/2022

Do you know what might be the best business development tool for lawyers?

Checking in with your existing clients, especially those you haven't heard from in a little while.

If it's not a strategy, and you actually just care about them and their business, it will come through.

You're not asking for work, you're checking in on them. Business is hard. Life can be hard, especially these days.

Showing you care is nice, and can result in work for you.

There's a debate about whether work should feel like work. About whether you should only do something you're passionate ...
01/28/2022

There's a debate about whether work should feel like work. About whether you should only do something you're passionate about. Or maybe since you're capable of something you should do it, and at least use it to live an "outside of work life" that you want.

I think all are true.

But there's likely one that works for you. And you need to find it. If you need help finding it, ask for help.

Lots of lawyers are talking about legal technology, and how to increase efficiency in our profession and for our clients...
01/25/2022

Lots of lawyers are talking about legal technology, and how to increase efficiency in our profession and for our clients.

I love it.

As a systems engineer turned lawyer it really resonates.

I also like learning about other people's worlds and work. That had me wondering what big movements other folks are thinking about.

Are accountants all over thinking about open banking? Crypto?

Are all tech folks thinking and development?

Are all marketers thinking about virtual world ads?

Today is Friday. Already the third Friday of the new year.What have you accomplished so far?Wait.How are you feeling? I ...
01/21/2022

Today is Friday. Already the third Friday of the new year.

What have you accomplished so far?

Wait.

How are you feeling? I think that's more important.

Enjoy the day, don't worry about accomplishments.

If downtime will make you feel happier today, take it.

And then go ahead and have a good weekend too. Bet it will feel good.

You know the saying "If you don't know who the crazy uncle is in your family, then it's you"?I think the legal equivalen...
01/18/2022

You know the saying "If you don't know who the crazy uncle is in your family, then it's you"?

I think the legal equivalent is "If you don't know who the unreasonable party is (and the negotiation is not going well, efficiently, etc), then it's you."!

Lawyers should be deal facilitators. We are not there for us or our egos. We're there to enable businesses to do deals with a fair allocation of risk. Efficiently and professionally.

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