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Hanging Out Your Shingle (Without Hanging Yourself) Carbondale 5.75 MCLE Hours, including 5.25* PMCLE credit hours This program is specifically tailored for new – or would-be – solo or small firm lawyers. Our distinguished speakers will present a comprehensive overview of the issues attorneys need to consider and prepare for when establishing and maintaining a law practice, including client communications, conflicts of interest, client billing and payment issues, office management and more.
Program Coordinator: Julie Ann Sebastian, Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Chicago 8:50 - 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introduction Peter Alexander, Dean, SIU School of Law, Carbondale 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. A Higher Calling: Your Role as an Attorney* This session will challenge attendees to be aware of and implement the special duties that attorneys owe to the profession, the courts, and the community. 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Developing Your Law Practice* Our speaker will present practical tips on how to develop and manage a law practice in a professional and competent manner. The session will cover engagement letters including a discussion of Dowlin, calendar systems, filing systems, conflict checking, and message systems. 10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Break 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. Conflicts of Interest* As an attorney you must be aware of potential conflicts of interest. This segment of the program will discuss those issues including multiple representation in a single matter; former client issues; aggregate settlement of claims; conflicts arising from your financial, business, property or personal interests; business dealings with clients; and waivable and unwaivable conflicts. 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Fees, Billing and Collection* It is crucial to a successful law practice to have effective communication and recordkeeping regarding fees. The speaker will address these issues with specifics on how to state your fee to the client, write your client about your fee, structure your fee, record and bill for your time, set a fee and collect that fee (including a discussion of retaining liens). The segment will also address advancing the costs of litigation and bringing in and paying co-counsel. 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Lunch (provided – compliments of ISBA Mutual Insurance Company) 1:45 – 2:15 p.m. Setting Up Your Operation* Establishing a 21st century law practice raises a variety of technology issues a private practitioner must consider in providing efficient and competent delivery of legal services. In this segment, the speaker will provide tips on acquiring office equipment, purchasing a computer system, filing electronically, conducting a mobile practice, and handling phone calls 24/7. 2:15 – 3:00 p.m. Developing Your Practice and Keeping Clients* Our speaker will discuss issues relating to ethical advertising and marketing, networking and communicating with clients so they remain your clients. 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Break 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. A Law Firm Is a Business: Treat it That Way* Effective law office management is essential for maintaining good client relations, reducing the risk of malpractice claims or client complaints and improving your firm image and the image of the profession. This session will address proper handling of client money and funds, IOLTA accounting, handling payments, disbursement when the settlement check comes and maintenance of accurate accounting records. *PMCLE credit subject to review |