The 2020 PBA Solo and Small Firm Section Annual Conference offers attendees the stellar programming that it is known for.
Hot Tips
Forty-five rapid-fire tips bringing to you the latest developments
Sara Austin: moderator and bankruptcy and condo/HOA, Anne John: real estate, Rita Alexyn: family law, Harold Goldner: employment, Jay Silberblatt: professional responsibility/ethics, Suzanne Smith: criminal law
Paint Your Profit by Numbers
Do you seem to have more questions about your practice than answers? Is there information you would like to know, but you have no idea how to find it? Law firms are businesses, but they are not like any other business. So, the metrics which you should track; which drive your firm toward profit or loss, will be different than for other businesses. Most CPAs — unless they focus on law firms — do not understand the meaningful numbers to examine to forecast and improve profitability. They cannot provide you with the guidance you need. This course is not about overwhelming you with new numbers. It is about looking at just the numbers which will enable you to clearly understand how your practice is doing, to make better business decisions. This course will provide you with the metrics, formulas, and other procedural information you need, and explain which questions each piece of information will answer. It will enable you to focus in on just what you need to get the answers you seek. It will enable you to be proactive in addressing key areas to improve your financial health, and even improve your marketing efforts.
Ellen Freedman
Working Remotely and Securely: What Lawyers Need to Know (Ethics)Lawyers across the nation are now working for home. Most law firms did not have a pandemic or remote access plan in place. As firms scramble to keep their employees productive, the biggest obstacle has been technology. This session will explore tech and security issues raised by working remotely. Topics will include the equipment you need, collaboration and video conferencing software, how to access the law firm network securely, making sure you have sufficient bandwidth, checking the security of your home router, virtual private networks (VPNs), remote access through LogMeIn and other software, the dangers of home machines vs. firm-issued devices, handling mail and telephones, video conferencing security and tips, using the cloud to help out and how cybercriminals are attacking home networks to get into law firm networks.
Sharon Nelson, John Simek
The Impact and Legacy of COVID-19 on our Courts
Learn how COVID-19 affected the trial and appellate courts and judges and justices, what they did and how they adapted, and, as of Conference time, what they are doing and what attorneys have to look forward to in the future both procedurally and technologically.
Sara Austin (moderator), Judge Adams, Judge Bronson, Judge McLaughlin, Justice Wecht
Bringing in Business During Both Normal & Difficult Times (Ethics)Law firms need to bring in business. This is true whether we are facing a pandemic or living in normal times. During this session, you will hear from three attorneys, all from different-sized firms, all successful, who will provide you with tips on how they bring in business. John Park from Baker Tilly will moderate and bring in the consultant’s perspective. Join us and:
- Discover how to reach potential clients through podcasts and radio
- See how referral fees can be a great (and ethical) source of income
- Find out why civility still matters and makes a difference in your ability to bring in business
- Learn how writing and publishing a book can introduce you to a whole new client base
- Understand how to be prepared to handle new business you bring in
- Make sure you understand the ethics surrounding marketing and networking
John Park (moderator), Dan Lynch, Jennifer Gomez Hardy, Anne John
Applying Emotional Intelligence to Hiring and Management
What is emotional intelligence (“EQ”)? What is its relationship to hiring and retention? When it comes to hiring, how is your firm’s batting average? This seminar will explain common law firm hiring errors, and how they relate directly to a failure to include EQ in the selection and hiring process. You will be guided through the best practices of hiring, orientation, and retention.
This fast-paced session will examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and professional and personal success for both attorney and firm. It will reveal the impact that emotional intelligence has on effective communication, retention, elevation decisions, and firm culture. These “soft skill” concepts will provide a great deal of food for introspective thought about personal improvement as well.
What is emotional intelligence (“EQ”)? What is its relationship to hiring and retention? When it comes to hiring, how is your firm’s batting average? This seminar will explain common law firm hiring errors, and how they relate directly to a failure to include EQ in the selection and hiring process. You will be guided through the best practices of hiring, orientation, and retention.
This fast-paced session will examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and professional and personal success for both attorney and firm. It will reveal the impact that emotional intelligence has on effective communication, retention, elevation decisions, and firm culture. These “soft skill” concepts will provide a great deal of food for introspective thought about personal improvement as well.
Ellen Freedman
Recorded live in July 2020.