Business and Ethics Basics of Law Firm Management 2024

Alesia is a shareholder in Marshall Dennehey’s Professional Liability Department in Philadelphia where she focuses her practice on professional liability defense, including defense of malpractice and other claims made against attorneys, accountants, real estate agents, and other professionals. Alesia also represents attorneys in connection with Dragonetti suits, abuse of process claims, and disciplinary matters. Alesia frequently publishes and lectures on topics relating to legal malpractice avoidance and attorney ethics. Alesia is actively involved in the Professional Liability Defense Federation and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Mr. Tintner is a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP in Philadelphia and co-chair of the firm-wide Pro Bono Committee. His practice involves all aspects of real estate litigation, including title insurance matters, commercial litigation, professional liability matters, the representation of attorneys and law firms, defamation and First Amendment matters and intellectual property litigation. Mr. Tintner currently handles the Ethics Hotline for the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Professional Guidance Committee.  Mr. Tintner is a co-author of “Wrongful Use of Civil Proceedings and Related Torts in Pennsylvania” published by The Legal Intelligencer. He is the 2020 recipient of the “Citizens Bank Achievement Award” from the Philadelphia Bar Association and Citizens Bank, as well as the 2016 “Difference Makers Award” from the American Bar Association’s Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division. Mr. Tintner frequently lectures on topics related to attorney ethics, professional liability and quiet title/real estate litigation issues.  Mr. Tintner received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Western District of Pennsylvania and the District of New Jersey. Mr. Tintner is a member of the American, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Philadelphia Bar Associations.  Mr. Tintner presently serves on the board of directors for the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program.

Deborah is the Associate General Counsel at Cozen O’Connor. She advises clients on risk management, ethics, and professional responsibility issues arising within their law firms and practices. Deborah also works with stakeholders within the firm to advise on ethical aspects of pending matters and to assure adherence to ethical standards and compliance with firm policies. In addition, she advises firm management on lateral recruitment and integration. Deborah handles pro bono representations, including representing clients through the Support Center for Child Advocates. Deborah was appointed to the ABA Standing Committee on Public Protection in the Provision of Legal Services in 2023 and is Co-Chair of the ABA Section of Litigation Ethics and Professionalism Committee. Deborah was elected to the Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates and is Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility and a member of the Women in the Profession and Unauthorized Practice of Law Committees. In addition, she serves as Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Professional Responsibility and Professional Guidance Committee. She is a lecturer in law and teaches a course in Professional Responsibility and Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Deborah is also a regular columnist for Law360, where she shares her insights on current legal ethics issues. Deborah earned her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania and her law degree from Columbia University School of Law.

Jennifer Ellis is an attorney licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and the principal of Jennifer Ellis, JD, LLC, a law practice management and technology consulting firm. Her legal practice focuses on ethics, and her consulting work assists lawyers and legal organizations with technology selection, implementation, and risk management, including cybersecurity and the practical use of artificial intelligence in legal practice.
Jennifer has extensive experience in legal education and professional development and has worked closely with bar associations and continuing legal education providers on the development and presentation of programs for lawyers at all stages of practice. She regularly speaks and writes on legal ethics, law practice management, and emerging technology issues, with an emphasis on helping lawyers evaluate new tools realistically and responsibly. Her work emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and ethical judgment, particularly where law and technology intersect. Find Jennifer online at jlellis.net.

Kristine L. Calalang has dedicated her law practice to family law matters since 2004. She provides her clients with strong advocacy, compassion, and empathy. Ms. Calalang is passionate about serving in leadership positions to help elevate the legal profession, promote fellowship in the legal community, and support philanthropic endeavors. She has strong leadership roles in the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), serving as a Zone 1 member of the House of Delegates, Co-Chair of the Legal Academics Committee, and the Diversity Liaison and Co-Chair of the Diversity Task Force of the Family Law Section. Additionally, Ms. Calalang is the Diversity Liaison for the PBA Minority Bar Committee and the Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee of the Women in the Profession Commission. She is also in leadership in the Philadelphia Bar Association, currently serving as the Vice Chancellor and having served as a Member of the Board of Governors and 2022 Board Chair, Co-Chair of the Women in the Profession Committee, and Co-Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Management Committee. Ms. Calalang also served as the 2019 Chair of the Family Law Section and continues to serve as a member of the Section’s Executive Committee, Co-Chair of the Custody Committee, Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee, and founding member of the Diversity Inclusion Scholarship Committee. Ms. Calalang further serves as a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Judicial Selection and Retention Commission and is an active member of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law’s alumni boards. She often plans and presents programs for the PBA, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia Bar Association, and other legal groups.