EAGAN, Minn – Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, announced the launch of Beyond the Bar, a dynamic online resource to help attorneys gain the practical skills, knowledge and tools necessary to transition and improve their legal practice and business.

Numerous reports and studies have shown that recent law school graduates often lack some of the most basic, but essential skills, to succeed in legal practice today such as negotiation, marketing and dealing with difficult people. The issue is exacerbated by the tight financial controls at many law firms and organizations leading to a decrease in training and development opportunities. The skills-based programming from Beyond the Bar was designed to help lawyers in the initial stage of their career develop and improve their skills to become more successful and provide greater value to their clients and employer.

“Attorneys must take control of their career and be willing to use additional resources to gain an edge in this competitive job market and leverage available opportunities to grow within their firm or organization,” said Mark Korf, director of new lawyer development for Thomson Reuters. “Beyond the Bar provides practical resources, tips and guidance presented by experts to benefit attorneys in the initial years of their career.”

Beyond the Bar programs may also enhance a firm’s or organization’s mentoring program. “Too often, new lawyers sit down to speak with their mentor, without a basic understanding of the topic,” said Korf. "Beyond the Bar programs can acquaint lawyers with key concepts prior to discussing the topic with their mentor, allowing for a more meaningful discussion.”

Speakers with real-world practice experience present Beyond the Bar’s online programming and live interactive workshops, covering a range of categories, including: business skills, legal skills, law practice management and client development. Select experts include: career development coach Diane Costigan; lawyers and authors Charlie Craver, Alan Gutterman, Dr. Paul Lisnek and Charlie H. Rose III; experts on the business of law Ross Fishman and Marsha Hunter; and many more.

The online programming available through Beyond the Bar includes more than 200 on-demand programs, including:

• Identifying Your Career Vision and Sticking To a Plan
• Office Etiquette: How to Effectively Work With Others in the Workplace
• Negotiation Stages: A Step by Step Guide to Bargaining Interactions
• Conflicts of Interest: How to Screen For, Recognize and Avoid Conflicts
• Associate Business Development Checklist: Years One - Three
• Channeling Adrenaline for a Greater Presence in the Courtroom
• The Do’s and Don’ts of Preparing Your Client For Deposition
• Dealing with Difficult Clients: It Can Be Done
• Six Steps for Starting Every Legal Writing Assignment
• Managing Commitments: The Key to Being a Better Time Manager

In addition to on-demand programming, Beyond the Bar will soon be launching live, multiple-session online courses addressing such topics as:

• Contract Drafting
• Business Development for Lawyers
• MBA Concepts for Lawyers
• Trial Advocacy Skills

Beyond the Bar is part of West LegalEdcenter, the nation’s leading online continuing education (CLE) service.”Nobody knows distance learning or just-in-time education better than West LegalEdcenter,” added Korf. “With Beyond the Bar, Thomson Reuters is expanding its market-leading expertise to promote new tools for the modern practice of law.”

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs approximately 60,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. For more information, go to http://thomsonreuters.com.