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You Can't Afford Not to Attend the 2009 ABA TECHSHOW

Times are tough, even for many attorneys, but that doesn't mean we can stop investing in ourselves and our practices. One of the best investments lawyers can make is to participate in the annual ABA TECHSHOW. There, lawyers and staff can learn how to improve the efficiency of their services, expand their client base, and deliver higher-quality services through the more effective use of technology.

Whether you are a big firm lawyer going solo, a solo expanding your firm, a corporate lawyer needing to keep up with e-discovery, an immigration lawyer wanting to improve your website, a family law lawyer seeking to streamline your work flow process, or a large firm Chief Technology Officer, there is something at TECHSHOW for everyone.

I have attended and/or presented at TECHSHOW for the past 11 years, and it is always one of the best events each year. (In fact, I liked it so much, they invited me to be on the planning board this year!) In addition to the high-quality learning sessions, there are activities and events to network with other lawyers, visit one-on-one with technology vendors, and toss around ideas with some of the best minds in our profession.

The conference runs April 2 through April 4, 2009 at the Chicago Hilton. Save the date now, but be sure to register before the early-bird deadline on February 28, 2009. And if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Going Solo Just Got Easier

I am pleased to be presenting my annual starting a law practice seminar in conjunction with the DC Bar on Friday, January 23, 2009. This all-day seminar is highly interactive and full of practical information for lawyers just starting a new practice or who have been in practice a few years, but want to upgrade their marketing efforts, improve their efficiency and profitability, deliver "knock-your-socks-off" client service, and avoid the ethical problems that can trap the unwary sole practitioner.

Joining me this year (my 10th year) on the faculty are Dan Mills, who heads the DC Bar Practice Management Advisory Service, and Heather Bupp-Habuda, adjunct professor of ethics and former Ethics Counsel at the DC Bar.

If you live and work in the DC area (or by chance plan to stay a few days after the Presidential Inauguration), then join us for an informative and enjoyable day of learning and innovation.

An Ethical View of the Business of Law

Thanks to DePaul Law second-year, Megan Bosau, for pointing me to DePaul's upcoming symposium Lawyers, Law Firms, and the Legal Profession: An Ethical View of the Business of Law, being held on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at the law school in Chicago.  The day-long symposium includes a morning session on the billable hour, following up on Scott Turow's widely-read ABA Journal article. The afternoon sessions address lawyer mobility, and a look at the state of ethics and professionalism. The faculty is equally drawn from private practice and academia, and includes ABA ethics author and commentator, Will Hornsby. Kudos to the DePaul Business & Commercial Law Journal for developing the symposium, and I encourage lawyers and law students alike to attend.

See You at Techshow 2008

I'm headed to Chicago for the ABA Techshow--my ninth time to attend this fun and informative event.  Late last week, I shared my thoughts with Rob La Gatta of Kevin O'Keefe's Real Lawyers Have Blogs.  As I explained to Rob, Techshow continues to provide the latest information in legal technology--especially in the areas of information and computer security, portable technology, and litigation technology.  Even though there is no new huge blockbuster technology, many existing technologies have evolved, matured, and merged into more affordable and useful products and services for law firms. Furthermore, the computer criminals are still rolling out new methods to steal, harm, and terrorize businesses of all sizes; lawyers must remain knowledgeable and vigilant to make sure these criminals do not compromise confidential client data and valuable firm information.

Besides the serious business, we also have serious fun, as Techshow has become a popular networking event for lawyers in firms of all sizes across many practice areas.  I look forward to the new Techshow After Dark, and hosting a table with Bruce Olson as part of the Taste of Techshow dinner event.

See you there!

Nominate Your Firm for an InnovAction Award

The College of Law Practice Management is seeking nominations for the 2008 InnovAction Awards, to recognize law firms, law departments, and other legal services providers who are engaged in extraordinary innovation efforts.  According to the College, "the awards are meant to inspire and promote extraordinary and effective business innovation in law practices around the world to catalyze positive change in the delivery of legal services and in the legal profession."

Take a moment to review the terms of this innovative award program, and consider nominating your firm and/or passing along this information to another firm that deserves consideration.

Google Phone Preview Set for Monday

Google's entry into the smartphone arena is set for a sneak preview on Monday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.  Google's open-source alliance of more than 30 companies world-wide is developing the Android platform to challenge Apple's iPhone and Nokia--which is positioning itself as a leader in content as well as device manufacturing.  Few commentators have noticed Nokia's purchases of Navteq (the information provider behind Mapquest, Google Maps, and others) and Trolltech, as they move from device maker to be a location-based content provider across multiple phone platforms. 

What does this mean to lawyers and their firms? Competition for RIM's Blackberries, Apple iPhones, and Palm and Windows Mobile devices. Competition brings more choices, often better choices, and lower pricing. Google's so-called "gPhone" is expected in the second half of 2008, and Nokia's acquisitions will speed development of additional application in their phones and in others'. RIM is not standing still waiting for these competitors; witness their new designs reported by Engadget.

2008 is shaping up to be an exciting year for new mobile devices for busy lawyers.

Plan to Attend the 2nd Annual National Solo and Small Firm Conference

I am excited to be going to this year’s National Solo And Small Firm Conference in Philadelphia on October 5-6, 2007. Sponsored by the ABA GP Solo Division, this conference is becoming one of the premier networking and educational events in the country for lawyers in smaller firms. The event will be held at the Hyatt Hotel Penn’s Landing, with an all-star line-up of seminars, networking opportunities, legal-focused exhibitors, and social events. Plus, it is a great opportunity for the Solosez on-line community to meet in person to extend the networking, fun, and fellowship.

I look forward to attending the conference to visit old friends, make new ones, and to co-present several seminars. If you have never been to a national bar meeting (such as the ABA Techshow or Annual Meeting), then I encourage you to block October 5 and 6 off your calendar, and make your plans to attend now. There will be many lawyers from all over the U.S. and beyond, from diverse practice areas, that you will not only learn new ideas and make new friends, but expand your business referral network too.

I look forward to seeing you there!