Build a Practice
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Whitepapers
- 8 Things Killing Your Legal Organization - Identify & Remedy Them
- Improving Communication Through Technology and Policy
- How to Create a Client Intake Form
- 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
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
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Illinois Bar Journal, August 2019Extending Your Digital Reach
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Illinois Bar Journal, May 2019Branching Out
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Illinois Bar Journal, April 2019It’s Spring!
- Illinois Bar Journal, October 2018
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Illinois Bar Journal, September 2018Guess Who’s Hosting a Business Dinner?
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Illinois Bar Journal, August 2018Playing to Win
- Illinois Bar Journal, July 2018
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The Bottom Line, May 2018What are the ‘externalities’ of practicing law?
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The Bottom Line, March 2018Marketing: Why it has to be done
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Bench & Bar, January 2018ABA considers modifying model rules on attorney advertising
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YLDNews, December 2017Tips for new lawyer advertising
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Illinois Bar Journal, October 2017Surviving the Networking Reception
- Illinois Bar Journal, August 2017
- Diversity Matters, June 2017
- The Bottom Line, May 2017
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The Bottom Line, May 2017To invest or not to invest in online marketing
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The Bottom Line, February 2017Birthing the baby: Making sure your baby grows up healthy
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YLDNews, February 2017Social media and the prospective client: Avoiding the pitfalls
- The Catalyst, February 2017
- YLDNews, December 2016
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Illinois Bar Journal, August 2016Using Your Website Titles to Increase Search Rank; Lawyers’ Average Salaries
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Illinois Bar Journal, July 2016Is it Time to Update Your LinkedIn Profile?
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Illinois Bar Journal, June 2016Tips for Using Video to Market Your Practice
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The Bottom Line, May 2016Your next Web site: Going from a handful of ideas to a powerful business tool
- Illinois Bar Journal, March 2016
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Standing Committee on Legal Technology, February 2016What does your e-mail address say about you?
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Illinois Bar Journal, January 2016Supercharged Social Media Marketing
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YLDNews, December 2015Boosting your online presence through Facebook advertising
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The Bottom Line, April 2015Internet marketing, part II—Search-engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising
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Standing Committee on Legal Technology, March 2015Internet marketing, part I – The law firm Web site
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YLDNews, August 2014Tips for lawyers looking to network and market themselves
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Illinois Bar Journal, August 2014Make Your Personal Style Work for You
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The Bottom Line, April 2014Five law firm marketing ideas for 2014
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Illinois Bar Journal, April 2013Marketing Your Practice via Social Media
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The Catalyst, January 2013How to brag online without sounding like a jerk
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The Bottom Line, September 2012Diversify your marketing efforts for best results
- Illinois Bar Journal, August 2012
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Standing Committee on Legal Technology, October 2010Building your online network
- Illinois Bar Journal, August 2010
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The Catalyst, December 2009Seek power: A woman lawyer’s guide to self-promotion
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The Bottom Line, September 2008Use guest articles to promote your practice: Turn research and results into story topics
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Illinois Bar Journal, January 2008Law Firm Marketing 101
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Illinois Bar Journal, May 2006Do We Blawg and How?
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Illinois Bar Journal, November 2005Putting Your Firm on the Web
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YLDNews, June 2004Five good reasons why your law firm should advertise, and five good reasons why your law firm shouldn’t
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YLDNews, June 2004How to design a simple education-based Web site for an individual attorney
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Standing Committee on Legal Technology, June 2004How to design a simple education-based Web site for an individual attorney
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The Bottom Line, April 2004The DOs and DON’Ts of marketing a small law firm
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YLDNews, April 2004Marketing myths most lawyers believe
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YLDNews, June 2003What you charge is key to your marketing message
- Illinois Bar Journal, March 1999
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Illinois Bar Journal, May 2018Illinois lawyer sues online reviewer for defamation
Referrals
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The Bottom Line, September 2015What is a blawg and why should you care?
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Illinois Bar Journal, July 2020Remember Me?
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Illinois Bar Journal, May 2019Branching Out
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Illinois Bar Journal, April 2019It’s Spring!
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Illinois Bar Journal, August 2018Playing to Win
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Illinois Bar Journal, July 2018Measuring Growth
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Employee Benefits, June 2018Setting boundaries when you engage a friend or relative as a client
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The Bottom Line, May 2018What are the ‘externalities’ of practicing law?
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The Bottom Line, March 2018Marketing: Why it has to be done
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The Bottom Line, December 2017Cutting costs, maximizing memberships and streamlining your practice
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Illinois Bar Journal, October 2017Surviving the Networking Reception
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YLDNews, August 20175 tips for practicing as a downstate attorney
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The Bottom Line, October 2016Should “free consultations” R.I.P.?
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Standing Committee on Legal Technology, May 2016How reliable are those online attorney reviews really?
- Illinois Bar Journal, November 2015
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Illinois Bar Journal, November 2015Top Tens for Client Satisfaction
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YLDNews, October 201510 steps to curate a professional image online
- Illinois Bar Journal, March 2015
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YLDNews, June 2014Participate to grow your business
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Illinois Bar Journal, May 2014A Family Lawyer’s Guide to Tending Client Relationships
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The Bottom Line, June 2013How effective law firm leadership practices can help you acquire and keep your clients
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Illinois Bar Journal, June 2013Rainmaking in Dry Times
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Standing Committee on Legal Technology, June 2012Farming more business—Learn something from a video gamer
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YLDNews, April 2011Business development in the 21st Century: Building your personal brand online
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The Challenge, February 2011Key strategies for generating profitable new clients
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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.
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The Bottom Line, December 2009Where have all the clients gone?
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YLDNews, June 2008Making it rain
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YLDNews, April 2007How to make your business development breakthroughs in the coming year
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YLDNews, August 2005Design your client agreement as a legal and marketing document
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The Bottom Line, January 2005Attracting business 101
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YLDNews, October 2004Telephone calls from prospects: How to protect yourself from this two-edged sword
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YLDNews, August 2004Getting and keeping clients
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YLDNews, February 200410 business development resolutions
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The Bottom Line, January 2004First impressions have big impacts
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The Bottom Line, March 2003Everyone can generate new clients
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The Bottom Line, March 2003How to get more business: 25 tips for marketing the small law firm
Client Development
- Illinois Bar Journal, May 2006
- Illinois Bar Journal, October 2018
- Illinois Bar Journal, July 2018
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Employee Benefits, June 2018Setting boundaries when you engage a friend or relative as a client
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Bench & Bar, January 2018ABA considers modifying model rules on attorney advertising
- Illinois Bar Journal, March 2014
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Illinois Bar Journal, October 2013Blogging, Marketing, and the Rules of Professional Conduct
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Illinois Bar Journal, October 2011Friending Your Enemies, Tweeting Your Trials: Using Social Media Ethically
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Illinois Bar Journal, December 2008Talking About You
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Illinois Bar Journal, May 2018Illinois lawyer sues online reviewer for defamation
Marketing Ethics
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The Bottom Line, May 2018What are the ‘externalities’ of practicing law?
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Illinois Bar Journal, January 2018Referring with Style
- Illinois Bar Journal, June 2017
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The Bottom Line, May 2017How to ethically and profitably refer personal injury clients
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Standing Committee on Legal Technology, May 2016How reliable are those online attorney reviews really?
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Illinois Bar Journal, December 2014Beware the New, Stricter Standards for Referral Fee Agreements
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Illinois Bar Journal, October 2010Illinois Lawyer Finder: ISBA’s Member-Client Connection
- Illinois Bar Journal, May 2005
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YLDNews, April 2004Marketing myths most lawyers believe
