Reid My Blog!

Head to BlawgThink 2005

I hate the idea of missing BlawgThink 2005!  I attended LexThink 1.0 and loved the experience, so I am disappointed to miss this latest conference from the LexThink Crew.

BlawgThinkers Matt Homann and Dennis Kennedy have put together a great slate of events and non-events. Yes, non-events--just time to think, share and build on ideas.  Whether you have yet to launch your own blawg or Have Blawg, Will Travel, this conference promises to deliver. There is still time to register and attend the November 11 & 12 event.

Email Matt@Lexthink.com.  Tell him you are taking my spot. I'll just stay home and pout!

Saying Thank You to Clients

Now is the time to take a few moments to send a personalized message to your clients to thank them for their confidence in your firm.  While many lawyers wait until Christmas to send a holiday message, I prefer to send a Thanksgiving card. 

In any business, it’s the little things that count.  Those little acts or touches help distinguish your business from your competitors.  Sending a personal note of thanks is a great personal touch to help build on-going relationships with present and former clients. 

Many lawyers choose to do this at Christmas time, but that tradition is changing.  More and more cards reflect the changing religious diversity of this country, so now contain general wishes of peace and prosperity for the new year.  Nice, but a weak platform to deliver your message.  In addition, the holiday card may get lost in the flurry of cards that arrive the week or so before Christmas.  So the card does not give you much of a chance to stand out from the crowd.

A Thanksgiving card is a perfect solution.  The message of thanks is really the best message to send to a person who has purchased legal services from you.  And it arrives well before the Christmas cards.

I was quoted in Monica Bay ’s article on this issue in Law Firm Inc. Of course if everyone starts to send out Thanksgiving cards, you may need to try Halloween cards!  So get to work before everyone jumps on this bandwagon!

2005 Best Practices Award Nominations Are Now Open

Small Firm Business, a quarterly publication of American Lawyer Media, has announced their inaugural Best Practices Awards to recognize ideas and innovations in small law firms.  From client service to community service, from professional development to marketing campaigns, the awards will highlight the best practices are work in law firms across America.

The awards are open to all law firms from 2 to 39 lawyers who have improved their operations to better serve their clients.  Firms may nominate themselves or be nominated by another firm or business contact. 

The nomination deadline is October 28, 2005.  Honorees will be featured in the January 2006 issue of Small Firm Business.

I hope many firms will submit nominations--for themselves or others.  I also look forward to learning from the honorees achievements in January.

Kudos to Virginia Trial Lawyers for Hosting Another Terrific Solo and Small Firm Conference

I join my colleague, Jim Calloway, in saluting the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA) for hosting their third annual solo and small firm conference this past week in Charlottesville, Virginia.  The conference featured three concurrent educational tracks, networking events, an outstanding vendor expo, and some of the finest lawyers in America.  Moreover, I had the pleasure of presenting several technology programs with Jim, and Bruce Dorner of Londonderry, New Hampshire. 

My hat's off to Conference Chair, Ben Glass, and VTLA's Jack Harris and Alison Love for creating and organizing such a valuable event for Virginia lawyers.

Solo conferences are wonderful vehicles for learning, networking with colleagues, and just taking a short break from the rigors of the office. Check to see if your bar or trial lawyers association offers such a conference in your state, and schedule the time now to attend.