This guide is intended to help D.C. Bar members who are solo and small firm practitioners, find services, programs, information, and other resources designed to assist them. Included are services and programs offered by the D.C. Bar, voluntary bars, and other organizations in the Washington area.
- Practice Management
- Attorney Assistance
- Legal Education
- Client Development
- Networking
- Mentoring
- Legal Research
- Substantive Resources
Practice Management
D.C. Bar Practice Management Advisory Service
The D.C. Bar Practice Management Advisory Service is staffed by a full-time director and currently offers several services to assist lawyers in the management of their law practices including publications, practice tips, practice management assessments, and a practice monitor program.
D.C. Bar Law Practice Management Section
The Law
Practice Management Section is one of the D.C. Bar’s 21 sections.
The section, which has a standing committee of solo and small firm practitioners,
provides opportunities to help improve practice management, knowledge,
and skills. It also organizes and produces numerous educational programs,
networking events, and community outreach opportunities. Contact the
D.C. Bar Sections Office at 202-626-3463 for information on programs
and handouts, publications, or membership, or join
the section today. The section offers additional resources for solo
and small firm practitioners including:
- Newsletter
Section members receive a periodic newsletter covering issues of interest to solo and small firm practitioners. - Solo and Small Firm Brown Bag Lunch Seminar Series
The LPM Section offers an award-winning monthly "brown bag" lunch series on management topics for solo and small firm practitioners. Programs are open to all, but discounts on admission are available for section members. For the topics and dates of upcoming programs, visit the online events calendar or call the Sections Office at 202-626-3463. - Solo and Small Firm Practitioners Committee
The LPM Section has a standing committee of solo and small firm practitioners that discusses issues affecting committee members and how the section or the Bar can address these issues. In addition, the committee organizes brown bag lunch seminars and serves as a resource to the D.C. Bar and the courts on concerns of solo and small firm practitioners. For additional information, call 202-626-3463.
The American Bar Association Law Practice Management Section publishes a wide variety of titles on law practice management. The ABA General Practice Section also publishes titles on specific practice areas, such as family law, trusts and estates, and civil litigation. To order a publication or for a free catalog, call 1-800-285-2221. Topics include:
- Flying Solo: A Survival Guide for Solo Lawyers
- Getting Started: Basics for a Successful Law Firm
- How to Start and Build a Law Practice
- How to Draft Bills Clients Rush to Pay
- The Complete Internet Handbook for Lawyers
- The Complete Guide to Marketing Your Law Practice
- Women Rainmakers’ 101+ Best Marketing Tips
- Law Practice Management magazine (published eight times a year)
- The Complete Lawyer magazine (published eight times a year)
Practice Management Advisory Service Publications
The Practice Management Advisory Service
has a number of publications to assist attorneys.
D.C. Bar Membership Benefit Programs
The D.C.
Bar Membership Benefit Program offers a range of discount programs
designed to give solo and small firm practitioners the buying power
of larger firms and law offices.
Attorney Assistance
Legal Ethics Advice
All D.C. Bar members are governed by the D.C.
Rules of Professional Conduct. The D.C. Bar’s Legal Ethics Committee
issues opinions
interpreting the Rules of Professional Conduct. As a service to members,
a legal ethics counsel is available to respond to telephone inquiries
on ethics issues. For more information, call 202-737-4700 ext. 231.
The Bar also produces an annual rules subscription service.
Lawyer Counseling Program
The Lawyer Counseling Program was established in
1985 to assist lawyers who experience problems that interfere with their
personal lives or their ability to serve as counsel or officers of the
court. The program has helped hundreds of lawyers through confidential
intake, assessment, short-term counseling and/or referral to appropriate
professionals. For more information, call 202-347-3131.
- Sole Practitioners Support Group
The Lawyer Counseling Program sponsors a Sole Practitioners Support Group that focuses on the unique stress of working for yourself and by yourself. Join other practitioners who share the same demands, concerns, and rewards. The support group meets every other Tuesday evening, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the D.C. Bar, 1250 H Street NW. Limited enrollment. For more information or to schedule an individual orientation appointment, call 202-626-3428.
Attorney/Client Arbitration Board
As directed by the D.C. Court of Appeals, the D.C. Bar
Attorney/Client Arbitration Board (ACAB) operates a mandatory arbitration
service for lawyers and clients with fee disputes. The ACAB also offers
a voluntary arbitration service for the confidential resolution of legal
malpractice claims between lawyers and clients. For additional information,
call 202-737-4700 ext. 238.
Clients’ Security Fund
The Clients’ Security Fund reimburses clients up
to $75,000 for losses caused by the dishonest conduct of members of
the D.C. Bar. Lawyers can refer clients who may have been harmed by
a previous attorney to the CSF. Call 202-737-4700 ext. 237 or e-mail
the CSF for additional information.
Legal Education
D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education Courses
The D.C.
Bar Continuing Legal Education Program (CLE) offers several programs
each year on law practice management issues and other areas of interest
to solo and small firm practitioners. For more information call 202-626-3488.
Reduced CLE fees may be granted to D.C. Bar members who demonstrate
a financial need and case loads or practice areas which relate to a
particular course. All reduced fee requests are required to be submitted
in writing and must be received no less than three business days before
the course date. Mail or fax the request to the D.C. Bar CLE Office
at 202-824-1870.
D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program Training
The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program conducts
approximately 20 pro bono training programs each year for attorneys
and paralegals willing to accept pro bono assignments from D.C. legal
service providers. The programs have covered family, consumer, landlord-tenant,
employment law, legal needs of the homeless, AIDS advocacy, adoption,
child custody, children’s SSI benefits, social security disability,
wills and probate, bankruptcy, and real property tax. Training programs
generally require lawyers to accept pro bono cases, which is a great
opportunity for new lawyers to gain experience. Visit the Pro Bono Program
online for a list of upcoming
trainings or call 202-737-4700, ext. 289 or 293.
D.C. Bar Law Practice Management Section’s Lunch Seminar Series
The Law
Practice Management Section offers monthly "brown bag" lunch seminars
on management topics for solo and small firm practitioners. Call 202-626-3463
for information.
Bar Preview
The D.C. Bar Sections Office publishes Bar Preview, a monthly calendar
listing of events held by the D.C. Bar Sections, the D.C. Bar Continuing
Legal Education Office, the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program, and the local
voluntary bar associations.Bar Preview is available by subscription.
To order, call 202-626-3463.
Bar Association of the District of Columbia
The Bar Association of the District of
Columbia has an extensive lending library of videotapes that can
be rented for a small fee. For information, call 202-223-6600.
Federal Communications Bar Association
The Federal Communications Bar Association
regularly conducts educational seminars on legal, technological, and
policy developments in communications and related fields. In addition,
it sponsors monthly luncheons featuring leading industry and regulatory
figures who address topics of current interest. There is a reduced admission
fee for members. For information, call 202-293-4000.
Federal Energy Bar Association
The Federal Energy Bar Association
sponsors an annual meeting in the spring and a mid-year meeting in the
fall that are CLE-approved. It also holds other educational programs
throughout the year. For information, call 202-223-5625. Trial Lawyers
Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC The Trial Lawyers Association
holds eight monthly dinner meetings (September-April) with substantive
programs that are open to everyone. For further information, call 202-659-3532.
Client Development
Bar Association of the District of Columbia Lawyer Referral Service
The Lawyer Referral Service
is a public service of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia
(BADC) and its Young Lawyers’ Section. Membership in the Lawyer Referral
Service (LRS) panel is open to all active members of the BADC.
An attorney who wishes to become an LRS panel
member must fill out an application and send it to the BADC with a fee
and proof of malpractice coverage.
The LRS works on a rotating basis, within the fields of law indicated on the enrollment application. Members are notified by fax when a referral is made. If the client makes and keeps an appointment, the attorney must collect an initial consultation fee and remit it to the BADC to cover LRS administrative costs. For more information, call 202-223-6600.
Practice Management Advisory Service
The D.C. Bar Practice Management Advisory
Service offers free and confidential information and consultation
on law practice marketing and client development.
Networking
D.C. Bar Section Membership
The D.C. Bar has 21 sections that
are tailored to specialized fields of interest. The outstanding benefits
offered through a section include the opportunities to network with
peers, gain knowledge through programs and publications, and attain
leadership prominence. Seasoned practitioners and new attorneys can
take advantage of the timely discussions, well-known speakers, and immediate
legal information available to section members.
Of particular interest to solo and small firm
practitioners is the Law Practice Management Section,
which helps members manage their law practices more efficiently and
profitably by providing educational forums on such topics as practice
development, personnel issues, financial management, setting and collecting
fees, client relations, and the effective use of technology for firms
of all sizes and corporate law departments. The Law Practice Management
Section also offers monthly "brown bag" lunch seminars on management
topics for solo and small firm practitioners. Call the Sections Office
at 202-626-3463 for more information or join
a section online.
Voluntary Bars
Many D.C. Bar members have enriched their practice of law by participating
in programs sponsored by the voluntary
bar associations in the District of Columbia. These bar associations
offer a variety of programs and benefits designed to improve the individual
lawyer’s practice.
Bar Preview
The D.C. Bar Sections Office publishes Bar Preview, a monthly calendar
listing of events, including valuable networking opportunities sponsored
by the D.C. Bar Sections, the D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education Program,
the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program, and the local voluntary bar associations.
To subscribe, call 202-626-3463.
American Inns of Court
Several Washington area chapters of the American
Inns of Court meet monthly to discuss issues and experiences, engage
in mock trials, demonstrate appellate arguments, receive critical evaluation,
and network and socialize. For more information call 703-684-3590.
Mentoring
Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia
The Women’s Bar Association of the District
of Columbia has launched a mentoring program. For information call
202-639-8880.
ABA Law Practice Management Section
The ABA’s Law Practice
Management Section offers a mentoring program to its members on
a wide variety of practice management issues. Mentors may be contacted
by telephone to discuss practice issues and problems. For additional
information, call the ABA/LPM section at 312-988-5619.
Legal Research
D.C. Law Libraries
Local law libraries
offer legal research resources for solo and small firm practitioners.
Visit our online listing for more information on availability to the
public, locations, and hours of operations.
Web Sites
The Internet is a helpful resource for practicing lawyers. The following
is a list of sites solo and small firm practitioners might find useful:
- Findlaw Internet Resources
www.findlaw.com - Cornell University’s Legal Information Institute
www.law.cornell.edu - Internet Legal Research Guide
www.ilrg.com - People/Business Search Directory
www.switchboard.com - Solosez (listserv)
www.abanet.org
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- 500 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-879-2700
Chief Judge: Annice M. Wagner
Clerk of the Court: Garland Pinkston Jr.
Clerk’s Office: Room 6000
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday - Superior Court of the District of Columbia
- 500 Indiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-879-1010
Chief Judge: Rufus G. King III
Clerk of the Court: Duane B. Delaney
Clerk’s Office: Civil Actions Branch, room JM-170
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday - United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse
333 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001-2866
Phone: 202-216-7000
Chief Judge: Douglas H. Ginsberg
Clerk of the Court: Mark J. Langer
Clerk’s Office: Room 5423
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday - United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- 333 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-273-0555
Chief Judge: Thomas F. Hogan
Clerk of the Court: Nancy M. Mayer-Whittington
Clerk’s Office: Room 1825
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Discounts Reduced price access to Lexis/Nexis is available for solo and small firm practitioners through the D.C. Bar Membership Benefit Program. Call 1-800-253-4183 for more information.
Substantive Resources
D.C. Bar Publications
A number of publications to assist lawyers in their areas of practice
are available through the Bar’s Communications Office, Sections Office,
and Continuing Legal Education Program. Check out our online publications
listing or call 202-737-4700 ext. 486 or 268 for more details.
- The District of Columbia Bar sections hold programs on many different subjects. If you are unable to attend, program materials are available for purchase.
- The D.C. Bar Voluntary Standards for Civility in the Profession are available free of charge by calling 202-737-4700, ext. 234, and are also on the Bar’s Web site.
- The District of Columbia Practice Manual, now in its tenth edition, is a basic research guide for the practice of law in the District of Columbia in 31 different areas. Individual chapters also are available for purchase as well as annual supplements to update earlier editions.
- The District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct are sent to all new active members of the D.C. Bar just after they are admitted. The Bar offers a subscription service to the rules, with three updates a year and opinions of the D.C. Bar’s Legal Ethics Committee. The committee’s opinions are also available online.
- The Workers’ Compensation Practice Manual is a practical and straightforward source for the law on private sector compensation in the District of Columbia.
Bar Association of the District of Columbia Publications
The Bar Association of the District of Columbia has a number of publications
for sale. For information or to order, call 202-223-6600.
- The Law of Evidence in the District of Columbia
- Civil Practice in Superior Court of the District of Columbia
- Real Estate Practice in the District of Columbia, Virginia & Maryland
- How to Start & Build a Law Practice
- Child Abuse & Neglect Cases
- Wills, Trusts & Estates-1993
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims-1993
- 1993 Criminal Jury Instruction, including 1997 Supplement
- D.C. Court of Appeals Appellate Manual
- Standardized Civil Jury Instructions for the District of Columbia
The Federal Communications Bar Association offers publications for solos and small firm practitioners. For more information, call 202-293-4000.
- Federal Communications Law Journal is published in cooperation with the Indiana University School of Law Bloomington. The journal is free to members (except law students).
The Federal Energy Bar Association offers publications for sale. Call 202-223-5625 to order.
- Energy Law Journal is published semiannually. Non-members can subscribe. Members also receive periodic energy-related court opinions.
The Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington offers publications for attorneys. For further information, call 202-659-3532.
- Members can access a national deposition bank, DepoConnect, featuring more than 30 paticipating states.
