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Creating & Launching a Modern Law Firm on a Tight Budget: Best Practices & Tools 2026

  • City:
  • Start Date:2026-01-30 08:00:00
  • End Date:
  • Length:
  • Level:Various
  • Topics:Law Practice Management

$299.00 ProPass

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This program is eligible for 3 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states. In 50-minute states, this program is eligible for 3.6 hours of CLE credit. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.

Overview

Launching and managing a modern law practice requires more than just legal skills — it demands sound policies and procedures, ethical awareness, and the right use of technology. This CLE program guides attorneys through the essential steps to create, organize, and operate a successful solo or small firm.

Participants will learn practical strategies and affordable tools for managing every aspect of a modern law office, including:

  • Technology setup: creating a solid foundation for organization and growth by choosing cost-effective hardware, software, and cloud solutions
  • IOLTA and financial management: maintaining compliant trust accounting, time capture, efficient billing systems, and monitoring key performance metrics
  • Records and file management: creating secure, searchable, and ethical recordkeeping workflows
  • Client communication: adopting modern tools that enhance responsiveness while protecting confidentiality
  • Marketing and business development: building a sustainable client base through ethical and effective outreach; investing time and dollars wisely for maximum result
  • Office procedures and automation: Onboarding, remote and hybrid work arrangements, oversight and feedback, and security of people and data

By the end of this session, attendees will have a clear roadmap for building a professional, ethical, and technology-enabled law firm — from initial setup to long-term growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Identify essential tech tools for small or solo firms that won’t break the budget
  • Understand best practices for IOLTA compliance and financial systems
  • Develop procedures for secure file and records management
  • Explore modern, ethical marketing and client communication strategies
  • Learn how to streamline operations through automation and smart workflows

Recorded in January 2026.

Faculty

Antonio A. Bonnetty, Esq.

Attorney Antonio A. Bonnetty is a dedicated solo practitioner specializing in family law, juvenile dependency, and criminal law. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record of successful outcomes for clients across these critical areas, Attorney Bonnetty is committed to providing exceptional legal representation. Passionate about the law, he seeks to advocate for those in need.
Attorney Bonnetty is actively involved with the Allegheny County Bar Association, fosters relationships within the legal community, and stays updated on the latest developments in the field. Attorney Bonnetty enjoys his volunteer work with Neighborhood Legal Services, focusing on helping Protection from Abuse (PFA) victims, along with participation in various legal clinics, including the “Wills for Heroes” program, and organization within the Allegheny County Bar Association.
In his downtime, Attorney Bonnetty values quality time with family, beekeeping, running, and gardening.
Attorney Bonnetty strives to empower clients with informed legal counsel, guiding them through complex legal challenges with compassion and experience. His goal is to be a steadfast ally during clients’ most challenging times, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.

Jennifer L. Ellis, Esq.

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.

Ellen Freedman, CLM

Ellen serves as the Law Practice Management Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Bar Association. In that capacity she assists PBA’s members with management issues and decisions on the business side of their practice, including areas like technology, financial management and profitability, human resources, marketing, risk management, setting up a practice and so forth. PBA members are encouraged to contact Ellen through the 800 “Hot Line” at PBA headquarters, (800-932-0311 x2228) or through email ([email protected]). Ellen is founder and President of Freedman Consulting, which assists PA law firms with a full range of issues and projects on the business side of the practice. More information about Ellen and her law practice management services may be obtained at http:www.FreedmanLPM.com. Ellen holds the designation of Certified Legal Manager through the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), the credentialing body for the CLM degree. Of the 11,000+ members of the ALA, approximately 300 are certified legal managers. Ellen was one of the first 20 in the nation to have achieved this designation. She holds a Certification in Computer Programming from Maxwell Institute, and a Certification in Web Site Design and a B.A. from Temple University. Ellen was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management in October 2020. Membership in the College is by invitation only. Eligible nominees include those who have made significant contributions to the field of law practice management for over ten years. Since its establishment over twenty years ago, nearly 300 practitioners from 5 different countries have become Fellows of the College. Ellen managed inside law firms for twenty years. Most of that time was spent in a midsize (35+ attorney) firm environment. She launched her consulting practice in 1998 and joined the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 1999. She was a member of the Association of Legal Administrators for over 20 years and founded the Independence Chapter. She is a frequent author and speaker on law firm management issues on a national level.

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