Build a Practice
Please login with your ISBA account to access members-only content.
Ask an Expert
Practice HQ now includes two easy ways for ISBA members to get their legal technology and law practice management questions answered by an expert at Affinity Consulting Group. At no cost, members can now email their question to an expert or schedule a one-on-one, remote consultation.
Whitepapers
- Improving Communication Through Technology and Policy
- How to Manage Leads and Convert Prospects Into Paying Clients
- A Guide to Marketing Your Law Firm on Facebook
- 8 Proven Steps to Double Your Referrals
- How to Make Your Website the Hub of a Successful Online Marketing Strategy
Products and Services
Web Design
Lawyer Referral Service
Marketing / Advertising
Free Online CLE
Eligible ISBA members receive 15 hours of Free Online CLE as a member benefit. Non-members may purchase these programs.
Ethics
ISBA Advisory Opinions on Professional Conduct
- Labeling Direct Solicitations as "Advertising Material" Opinions 12-04
- For Profit Referral Service Opinion 97-05
Other Ethics Resources
- Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 1.18 Duties to Prospective Client
- Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 6.2 Accepting Appointments
- Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 7.1 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services
- Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 7.2 Advertising
- Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 7.3 Solicitation of Clients
Articles
Marketing
-
Illinois Bar Journal, May 2019Branching Out
-
Illinois Bar Journal, April 2019It’s Spring!
- Illinois Bar Journal, October 2018
-
Illinois Bar Journal, September 2018Guess Who’s Hosting a Business Dinner?
-
Illinois Bar Journal, August 2018Playing to Win
- Illinois Bar Journal, July 2018
-
The Bottom Line, May 2018What are the ‘externalities’ of practicing law?
-
The Bottom Line, March 2018Marketing: Why it has to be done
-
Bench & Bar, January 2018ABA considers modifying model rules on attorney advertising
-
YLDNews, December 2017Tips for new lawyer advertising
-
Illinois Bar Journal, October 2017Surviving the Networking Reception
- Illinois Bar Journal, August 2017
- Diversity Matters, June 2017
- The Bottom Line, May 2017
-
The Bottom Line, May 2017To invest or not to invest in online marketing
- The Catalyst, February 2017
-
The Bottom Line, February 2017Birthing the baby: Making sure your baby grows up healthy
-
YLDNews, February 2017Social media and the prospective client: Avoiding the pitfalls
- YLDNews, December 2016
-
Illinois Bar Journal, August 2016Using Your Website Titles to Increase Search Rank; Lawyers’ Average Salaries
-
Illinois Bar Journal, July 2016Is it Time to Update Your LinkedIn Profile?
-
Illinois Bar Journal, June 2016Tips for Using Video to Market Your Practice
-
The Bottom Line, May 2016Your next Web site: Going from a handful of ideas to a powerful business tool
- Illinois Bar Journal, March 2016
-
Standing Committee on Legal Technology, February 2016What does your e-mail address say about you?
-
Illinois Bar Journal, January 2016Supercharged Social Media Marketing
-
YLDNews, December 2015Boosting your online presence through Facebook advertising
-
The Bottom Line, April 2015Internet marketing, part II—Search-engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising
-
Standing Committee on Legal Technology, March 2015Internet marketing, part I – The law firm Web site
-
YLDNews, August 2014Tips for lawyers looking to network and market themselves
-
Illinois Bar Journal, August 2014Make Your Personal Style Work for You
-
The Bottom Line, April 2014Five law firm marketing ideas for 2014
-
Illinois Bar Journal, April 2013Marketing Your Practice via Social Media
-
The Catalyst, January 2013How to brag online without sounding like a jerk
-
The Bottom Line, September 2012Diversify your marketing efforts for best results
- Illinois Bar Journal, August 2012
-
Standing Committee on Legal Technology, October 2010Building your online network
- Illinois Bar Journal, August 2010
-
The Catalyst, December 2009Seek power: A woman lawyer’s guide to self-promotion
-
The Bottom Line, September 2008Use guest articles to promote your practice: Turn research and results into story topics
-
Illinois Bar Journal, January 2008Law Firm Marketing 101
-
Illinois Bar Journal, May 2006Do We Blawg and How?
-
Illinois Bar Journal, November 2005Putting Your Firm on the Web
-
YLDNews, June 2004Five good reasons why your law firm should advertise, and five good reasons why your law firm shouldn’t
-
YLDNews, June 2004How to design a simple education-based Web site for an individual attorney
-
Standing Committee on Legal Technology, June 2004How to design a simple education-based Web site for an individual attorney
-
The Bottom Line, April 2004The DOs and DON’Ts of marketing a small law firm
-
YLDNews, April 2004Marketing myths most lawyers believe
-
YLDNews, June 2003What you charge is key to your marketing message
- Illinois Bar Journal, March 1999
-
Illinois Bar Journal, May 2018Illinois lawyer sues online reviewer for defamation
Referrals
-
The Bottom Line, September 2015What is a blawg and why should you care?
-
Illinois Bar Journal, May 2019Branching Out
-
Illinois Bar Journal, April 2019It’s Spring!
-
Illinois Bar Journal, August 2018Playing to Win
-
Illinois Bar Journal, July 2018Measuring Growth
-
Employee Benefits, June 2018Setting boundaries when you engage a friend or relative as a client
-
The Bottom Line, May 2018What are the ‘externalities’ of practicing law?
-
The Bottom Line, March 2018Marketing: Why it has to be done
-
The Bottom Line, December 2017Cutting costs, maximizing memberships and streamlining your practice
-
Illinois Bar Journal, October 2017Surviving the Networking Reception
-
YLDNews, August 20175 tips for practicing as a downstate attorney
-
The Bottom Line, October 2016Should “free consultations” R.I.P.?
-
Standing Committee on Legal Technology, May 2016How reliable are those online attorney reviews really?
- Illinois Bar Journal, November 2015
-
Illinois Bar Journal, November 2015Top Tens for Client Satisfaction
-
YLDNews, October 201510 steps to curate a professional image online
- Illinois Bar Journal, March 2015
-
YLDNews, June 2014Participate to grow your business
-
Illinois Bar Journal, May 2014A Family Lawyer’s Guide to Tending Client Relationships
-
Illinois Bar Journal, June 2013Rainmaking in Dry Times
-
The Bottom Line, June 2013How effective law firm leadership practices can help you acquire and keep your clients
-
Standing Committee on Legal Technology, June 2012Farming more business—Learn something from a video gamer
-
YLDNews, April 2011Business development in the 21st Century: Building your personal brand online
-
The Challenge, February 2011Key strategies for generating profitable new clients
-
The Bottom Line, June 2010Your client is cheating on you with another lawyer: Why client loyalty is disappearing and why your marketing (or lack thereof) may be to blame.
-
The Bottom Line, December 2009Where have all the clients gone?
-
YLDNews, June 2008Making it rain
-
YLDNews, April 2007How to make your business development breakthroughs in the coming year
-
YLDNews, August 2005Design your client agreement as a legal and marketing document
-
The Bottom Line, January 2005Attracting business 101
-
YLDNews, October 2004Telephone calls from prospects: How to protect yourself from this two-edged sword
-
YLDNews, August 2004Getting and keeping clients
-
YLDNews, February 200410 business development resolutions
-
The Bottom Line, January 2004First impressions have big impacts
-
The Bottom Line, March 2003How to get more business: 25 tips for marketing the small law firm
-
The Bottom Line, March 2003Everyone can generate new clients
Client Development
- Illinois Bar Journal, May 2006
- Illinois Bar Journal, October 2018
- Illinois Bar Journal, July 2018
-
Employee Benefits, June 2018Setting boundaries when you engage a friend or relative as a client
-
Bench & Bar, January 2018ABA considers modifying model rules on attorney advertising
- Illinois Bar Journal, March 2014
-
Illinois Bar Journal, October 2013Blogging, Marketing, and the Rules of Professional Conduct
-
Illinois Bar Journal, October 2011Friending Your Enemies, Tweeting Your Trials: Using Social Media Ethically
-
Illinois Bar Journal, December 2008Talking About You
-
Illinois Bar Journal, May 2018Illinois lawyer sues online reviewer for defamation
Marketing Ethics
-
The Bottom Line, May 2018What are the ‘externalities’ of practicing law?
-
Illinois Bar Journal, January 2018Referring with Style
- Illinois Bar Journal, June 2017
-
The Bottom Line, May 2017How to ethically and profitably refer personal injury clients
-
Standing Committee on Legal Technology, May 2016How reliable are those online attorney reviews really?
-
Illinois Bar Journal, December 2014Beware the New, Stricter Standards for Referral Fee Agreements
-
Illinois Bar Journal, October 2010Illinois Lawyer Finder: ISBA’s Member-Client Connection
- Illinois Bar Journal, May 2005
-
YLDNews, April 2004Marketing myths most lawyers believe
