Past Lunch and Learn Programs

Presented by Niraj Chhabra and Jessica Medina

Financial planning is different for men and women in the legal profession as it is elsewhere. Women often face the challenge of balancing career with family, historically have made less money and therefore earn less in social security, live longer, and are often the ones who care for aging parents. Join us for this new and thought-provoking class that addresses these concerns and other potential financial concerns women attorneys face, including the following:

• Education planning
• Preparing to be a caretaker for parents
• Life insurance & protection planning
• Retirement planning
• Budgeting
• Tax reduction strategies

While this class focuses on issues women in the legal community face, it should be of interest to all attorneys.

This program is a joint production of the Law Practice Management Community and Practice Management Advisory Service of the D.C. Bar.

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Program Slides (This is a 45-page PDF)

Presented by Stephanie Everett, CEO of Lawyerist

This program is a joint production of the Law Practice Management Community and Practice Management Advisory Service of the D.C. Bar.

Leading teams is hard. Leading teams when you never see people face to face is even harder. Join us on March 7, 2024, for a Lunch and Learn with Stephanie Everett, CEO of Lawyerist, for a discussion about building culture within your team when you mainly engage virtually.

You will walk away with concrete, tangible ideas about how to make video meetings more engaging, building community remotely, and facilitating connection and camaraderie among team members. These ideas will help you, as a manager, improve morale, increase employee engagement and retention, and strengthen your relationship with your team.

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Program Slides (This is a 12-page PDF)

Presented by Ross Albers of Albers & Associates

Are you dreaming of working less, earning more and living a richer life as a law firm owner?  Make sure this dream does not fade away.

Learn the three-step process on how to build the law firm you envisioned by hiring, acquiring and inspiring your team to achieve the results you want. This framework will help you understand the importance of working “on” your law firm instead of “in” it.

Ross Albers will discuss the basics of approaching law firm ownership with an entrepreneur’s mindset.

This program is a joint production of the Law Practice Management Community  and Practice Management Advisory Service of the D.C. Bar.

Program Slides (This is a 19-page, 8MB PDF)

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Annette Choti of Law Quill

LinkedIn is no longer the platform of job opportunities - it is so much more! Having a strong LinkedIn profile helps establish you as an expert in your field of law. LinkedIn ALSO allows you to connect with potential clients and showcase your services.

Learn the step-by-step way to best optimize your LinkedIn profile in order to leverage this powerful platform to showcase your expertise, grow your network, and gain more clients.

Program Slides (After opening the slide deck, left click to advance the slides.)

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Ed Walters of Fastcase

Join us for a lunchtime webinar with Fastcase co-founder and DC Bar member Ed Walters, who will give attendees a priority sneak peek at Vincent AI, the new generative AI legal research and writing tool from Fastcase and vLex. This will be a live demonstration of the research and drafting tools in Vincent, as well as a discussion of how the tools work.

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Tim Ito and Boney Pandya of Marketing Nice Guys

Who Should Attend: DC Bar Members, Law Practices

If you had to identify the biggest marketing challenges for many small-to-midsize law practices, generating new, qualified client leads would almost certainly rank at or near the top of the list. In this engaging and topical webinar, we’ll cover 8 core steps of lead generation. Attendees will walk away understanding the framework they need to get the phone to ring more often, as well as gain insights into best-practice strategies and tactics. (Q&A included)

At the end, we’ll give away a signed copy of our new book, Small Business Digital Marketing Handbook (2022, MNG Press.)

Program Slides (This is a 29-page, 8MB PDF)

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Jessica Medina of Jessica Medina LLC

No one actually likes budgeting, except maybe those financial folks, right? Join Jessica Medina, a former lawyer turned Accredited Financial Counselor, as she offers a refreshing approach to managing your finances. Say goodbye to the tedium of daily expense tracking and embrace a balanced spending plan that ensures essentials are covered while allowing space for life's pleasures. It's the financial freedom we all need this year!

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by William B. Jaffe of The Law Office of William B. Jaffe

Who Should Attend: Legal aid and legal services advocates, nonprofit lawyers, pro bono attorneys and anyone who is concerned about today's students and the quality of education being provided to them. This course is particularly important if you know of a student with a disability who may need assistance in obtaining an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or necessary services.

Registrants will learn the basics of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and why every parent or guardian of a student with a disability needs to know about it. Topics ranging from initial identification of a student in need of specialized instruction to the creation of an IEP will be covered.

In addition, the following topics will be addressed:

• Specialized instruction, including sources of law, and the basics of a free and appropriate public education;
• Evaluations, including what is an evaluation, how should an evaluation be conducted, and how to challenge an evaluation;
• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) including what is an IEP, what should it contain, what related services, and how to know if an IEP and related services are appropriate;
• IEP process and procedure, including who is on an IEP team, how an IEP meeting unfolds, procedural safeguards available to a parent, placement decisions and the stay put rule, how a parent can preserve the status quo until a hearing is held when a parent disagrees with a school system's action or its failure to take an action.

Handout (This is a 31-page, 179 kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Jill Frillman of Bookkeeping, Etc., Inc.

Is your firm using QuickBooks to manage the trust account? Join us for a Lunch and Learn session with Jill Frillman, the founder and owner of Bookkeeping Etc., Inc. to learn how to do so efficiently and securely.

Managing the trust account of a law firm can be a daunting task, but with Jill's expert guidance, you can learn how to use QuickBooks to streamline your processes and ensure compliance.

Presented by Jennifer Kasman of JR KASMAN PLLC

One of the first things Ms. Kasman did when launching her firm was attend Basic Training & Beyond with Dan Mills at the D.C. Bar. As her firm enters its tenth year of operation, Jennifer will share invaluable insights and tips for start-up success. She will provide a comprehensive start-up business checklist, share lessons she learned during her own journey, and offer effective time management tools to help you excel in running your own law firm or expanding your client base. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Jennifer's expertise and enhance your legal career.

Handout (This is a 3-page, 198 kb PDF)

Presented by Sara Sultan of Smokeball

Join us for a lunchtime webinar to learn how Smokeball’s legal practice management software helps law firms like yours increase productivity and efficiency while allowing you to work less, from anywhere. As part of our partnership with the DC Bar, DC lawyers are now eligible for a unique 10% discount on Smokeball services.

In this free webinar, we will cover the following topics:

• How Smokeball helps firms engage, sign and intake new clients.
• How to best leverage Smokeball for your specific area of practice.
• Utilizing Smokeball’s MS Word and Outlook integration, as well as our extensive library of Florida-specific legal and court forms.
• Live Q&A session with a Smokeball expert.

Handout (This is a 9-page, 714 kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Jessica Medina, Former Lawyer | Accredited Financial Counselor

Student loan debt can be an overwhelming burden for lawyers, causing significant delays in important life milestones such as owning a home, getting married, starting a family, and pursuing fulfilling careers. Navigating through the complexities of student loan repayment has become even more challenging in recent years, leaving many unsure of the best approach.

Ms. Medina will guide us through a range of effective student loan repayment strategies. Drawing from her personal experience in conquering her own mortgage-sized debt, she will provide valuable insights and share the framework she uses to help her clients manage their substantial loan burdens. These insights and strategies will empower you to navigate this complex landscape and regain control of your financial future.

Program Slides (This is a 35-page, 2MB PDF)
(The slides are for D.C. Bar members only and may not be distributed, copied or transferred beyond a member’s possession.)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Carr Workplaces

Carr Workplaces is a DC Bar partner working to help attorneys as they navigate setting up or expanding their practices. From mailing address services to phone reception and administrative support, we provide an array of options designed to support firms as they grow into their own offices, and beyond.

In-person only at Carr Workplaces (1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). Lunch will be provided and space is limited so register early.

Register

Presented by Mark Lefever of USI Affinity

This program will cover cyber liability exposure for law firms and include cyber risk management tips and information about cyber liability insurance.

USI Affinity is the Bar’s member benefit for malpractice insurance.

Handout (This is a 22-page, 973 kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Mary Ellen Hickman of Hickman Consulting Partners

One of the biggest challenges for any small law firm is how to attract the right clients for your unique practice, and to keep those clients steadily knocking on your door. During this program we'll discuss how to identify the best clients for your practice, where to find those clients, how to attract more of them, and what to charge. I'll then show you how you can tailor this to fit your stage of growth: a new firm, a fast-growing practice, or a well-established firm. We'll talk through concrete examples from different types of practices—including yours, if you'd like—and end with an open Q&A. You'll leave with a practical plan that you can implement immediately.

Handout (This is a 25-page, 2MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Sonrisa Lewis, Esq. of Lewis Legal and Freelance Lawyer Academy

Our speaker, Sonrisa Lewis, Esq., a seasoned freelance attorney, will guide lawyers through the essential elements to consider when starting and growing a freelance business. She will touch on the benefits of building a freelance business; some of the more technical aspects of doing so; and provide a few little-known tips, tricks, and secrets. Topics of interest will include reasons for freelancing, how to set your rate as a freelance attorney, and where to find clients and work.

This webinar is a must-see for any lawyers interested in learning about using their skills to create a unique lifestyle and business as a freelancer.

Handout (This is a 35-page, 5MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Sharon D. Nelson of Sensei Enterprises, Inc.

ChatGPT AI is “hotter than hot” in legal circles – and brings with it all sorts of ethical considerations. Our speaker will take a close look at what ChatGPT means for the legal profession.

Will ChatGPT replace some lawyers? ChatGPT itself answered our questions on that topic, as well as describing how lawyers are successfully using AI today and planning to use AI in the future. Are there perils for lawyers using AI? Yes, quite a few. Join us for an in-depth look at the AI revolution that began in November 2022 and continues to dominate legal headlines today.

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Tim Ito and Boney Pandya of Marketing Nice Guys

Join marketing experts Tim Ito and Boney Pandya from Marketing Nice Guys in this hour-long webinar where they will guide attorneys through the six crucial user experience (UX) elements that can make or break a legal website. By understanding the principles of user-centered design, lawyers can create a website that not only looks professional but also engages and converts potential clients.

In addition to the six UX elements, Tim and Boney will share valuable insights on other "Do's and Don'ts" that attorneys should consider when building their website. At the end of the session, attendees will also have the chance to win a copy of their latest book, Small Business Digital Marketing Handbook, which provides practical advice on 12 digital marketing channels.

This webinar is a must-attend for attorneys who want to build a powerful online presence and attract more clients to their practice.

Handout (This is a 20-page, 7MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Brenda Barnes of B2 Management & Consulting, LLC and Camille Stell of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services.

Join Brenda Barnes and Camille Stell for a roundtable discussion about law firm compensation. They are co-authors of the newly published book RESPECT – An Insight to Attorney Compensation Plans.

Discussion will include:

• Compensation trends
• Managing Partner compensation
• Business origination credit
• Compensation carve-outs
• Compensation system biases

And More.

Handout (This is a 42-page, 1.0MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by David Skinner and Karen Dunn Skinner, of Gimbal Canada

If you try to attract everyone, you're going to waste a lot of your valuable time on people you can't (or don't want) to serve. It doesn’t have to be that way. Learn to create a value-packed, business-generating asset designed to filter out the tire-kickers.

It’s an easy, low-cost marketing strategy for lawyers who want to attract more of the right kind of clients.

In this 45-minute webinar, you’ll learn:

• Six things an effective lead generator should do.
• Different types of lead generators you can try.
• Exactly what to put into your lead generator.
• How to make it available to potential clients.

PLUS you’ll get a worksheet you can use to plan your lead generator as we go along.

Increase the number of potential clients coming into your practice who are ready to work with you.

Handout (This is a 9-page, 519 kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by David Skinner and Karen Dunn Skinner, of Gimbal - Practice Management Advisors

You probably didn’t wake up this morning thinking, “I need some SOPs." But I bet you did wake up saying, “my day is completely packed, how am I ever going to get it all done?” Sure, SOPs are boring but they're THE KEY to getting more done! How do we know? Because we're the leading legal process experts. We’ve taught thousands of lawyers around the world how to create SOPs that are making them more successful.

If you don't have a written process for a task you do more than once:

• Routine tasks will take longer than they should (especially if you don't do them very often)
• Errors will creep in, and
• You'll never find the time you need to scale your business & get all the work done!

Join this free webinar and learn to:

• Create processes using our step-by-step method.
• Build a library of SOPs that will save you time and make you money.
• Use your SOPs to facilitate delegation and drive up your productivity!

Presentation (This is a 12-page, 4MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Valerie Amparan, of MyCase.

Join us as we showcase all of the exciting things happening at MyCase! Having recently joined the LawPay family, MyCase is the fastest growing legal practice management software. MyCase is easy to adopt and use so you can spend more time doing what matters most.

In this session, you’ll learn how this powerful practice management tool can help you:

• Digitize your client intake.
• How to create a compelling profile.
• Manage your prospective client pipeline.
• Track all case details, files, and communication in one place.
• Automatically track time, generate invoices and get paid faster.
• Keep all finances in order with all-new MyCase Accounting

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Sameena Safdar Kluck, CEO of Amplify Your Voice LLC.

How do you normally engage with clients, prospects, and potential new hires? Are you mostly sending emails or issuing client alerts and newsletters? Why not reach out to them where they already are - on social media?

In this exciting session, social media and personal branding strategist, and former lawyer, Sameena Safdar Kluck will cover:

• Why engaging online is crucial for your business.
• How to create a compelling profile.
• What are the two things you should do if you only have 10 minutes free for social media.
• How you decide which social media platforms to use.
• How to amplify your clients and employees online to drive your network.

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Niki Irish of the D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program

Building and maintaining a successful law practice requires dedication and hard work. To sustain your peak performance and achieve success, you will need to take care of yourself as well as your clients. Self-care is a challenge for many lawyers. Setting healthy limits in your work relationships, whether with clients or colleagues, is essential. This presentation will explore why, when, and how to set firm, clear boundaries to help you take care of yourself, find a sense of control, and enhance your emotional well-being.

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Ellen Freedman of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and Michael Molder of AILA Limited

One of the most influential factors in law firm valuation is whether or not business is actually transferrable. There is often an intensely personal nature to the attorney-client relationship. It is said that clients hire lawyers, not firms. And often that is true.

You might think you can go to a Business Broker or CPA and let them tell you your firm’s value. But they often tend to lack the necessary experience with law practices to apply the right factors. You might think that you can rely on your Profit & Loss, but gross revenue and gross profit are just two factors, of many, to take into consideration.

This course will demonstrate the application of factors that influence value by reviewing case studies of three actual firms with similar revenues, yet very different values.

This program was not recorded.

Presented by Mark Lefever of USI Affinity

Why lawyers are prime targets for a cyber-attack and what they can do to protect their law firm.

Presentation (This is a 16-page, 947kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Anne Collier of Arudia

Learn how to transform the way you think to be an island of calm in a tsunami of fear and doubt.

Handout 1 - Upgrade Your Personal Operating System (This is a 19-page, 2 MB PDF)
Handout 2 - Compartmentalize Your Stress to Optimize Your Success (This is a 6-page, 2 MB PDF)
Handout 3 - Actualized Leader Worksheet (This is a 10-page, 552kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Tim Ito, principal and co-owner of Marketing Nice Guys and Janet Falk, owner, Falk Communications and Research .

One of the marketing challenges faced by lawyers running their own private practice is gaining visibility in the marketplace. Many lawyers innately understand that this aspect of "building a brand" is critical in terms of their practice succeeding, yet many don't know how to go about it. In this interactive webinar hosted by Marketing Nice Guys and Falk Communications and Research, we'll explore the following key concepts:

• Why build a brand?
• How to develop a brand narrative.
• The 6 ways to build your brand through marketing.
• The role of public relations & media.

Presentation (This is a 46-page, 7 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Carr Workplaces

Learn how office-on-demand services work for your law firm.

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Annette Choti of Law Quill

Learn the exact steps you need to take, in the correct order, to grow your law firm online and gain more clients.

Presentation (This is a 26-page, 23 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Sharon Nelson and John Simek of Sensei Enterprises, Inc.

Legal technology services promise the moon and sometimes deliver less. This session will focus on the process of selecting and vetting legal technology for your practice.

Presentation (This is a 43-page, 4 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Katharine Manning of Blackbird DC

Special care is needed when working with clients in trauma. This session explores a trauma-informed approach to interviewing and witness preparation, including the ways that trauma affects the brain, how to ask questions in a way that will obtain the information you need without needless re-traumatization, recognizing and managing the effects of trauma during the interview, and how to communicate information in a way that a person in trauma can understand it. Attendees will leave with a list of helpful resources to know when working with those in trauma, including where to find a domestic violence shelter, the suicide hotline number, and how to report suspected child abuse.

Presentation (This is a 38-page, 10 MB PDF)
Resource Handout (This is a 1-page 105kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presenter: Ingela Onstad of Courageous Artistry

Social interactions can be rife with challenges, and these challenges have increased for many of us in the pandemic. Whether working with colleagues, staff, juries, or clients, many of us have seen an increase in our hesitance to return to in-person interactions. This presentation introduces skills that teach us to manage our expectations of both ourselves and others, with a focus on coping skills and grounding strategies.

Presentation (This is a 30-page, 700 kB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presenter: Ingela Onstad of Courageous Artistry

We all find ourselves performing on different "stages" in our careers, whether in client negotiations, pitching to prospective clients, in the courtroom, or any other type of public- facing presentation. This presentation teaches skills that target voice use, physical presence, and anxiety management in order to present our most confident selves in high-stress situations.

Presentation (This is a 40-page, 1 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Tim Ito and Boney Pandya of Marketing Nice Guys

This webinar will focus on how to create great marketing content as a private-practice lawyer, using it for brand awareness as well as customer acquisition and lead generation. We’ll cover the 5 steps of creating great content:

• Planning & Strategy
• Approach (the 6 approaches to great content)
• Tools & Tactics
• Implementation (Executing the content types that are good options for lawyers)
• Optimization

We’ll leave time for questions and follow up too.

At the end of the presentation, we’ll do a book giveaway as the presenter, Tim Ito, will give away a signed copy of his book, The BS Dictionary: Uncovering the Origins and True Meanings of Business Speak.

Presentation (This is a 49-page, 6 MB PDF)

Free: The Do-It-Yourself Marketing Playbook For Lawyers

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Charlie Lemley of Wiley Rein and Jennifer Lyman of Jennifer Lyman Consulting

Interested in adding "low bono" to your legal practice? Come learn how you can start or expand your “low bono” legal practice by joining the DC Refers panel of attorneys and mediators.

DC Refers is an online referral service and 501(c)3 non-profit organization that seeks to place individuals who earn between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty guidelines (and thus typically do not qualify for pro bono legal services) with qualified attorneys and mediators who have agreed to charge between $75-$150/hour for their services.

DC Refers was created in 2017 to increase access to justice for people of modest means in DC. Many DC residents earn too much to qualify for free legal services from pro bono lawyers or nonprofit legal aid providers, but do not earn enough to afford the rates that most lawyers charge for their services. People whose income falls between 200-400% of the federal poverty guidelines thus often have limited (if any) options for obtaining legal assistance. DC Refers seeks to fill that justice gap.

Come with questions ready to learn how you can expand your practice and help the wider DC community.

Presentation (This is a 23-page, 2 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Maxwell E. Bevilacqua of Max Negotiation

You're negotiating everyday - especially as lawyers. Learn a structured vocabulary for navigating conflict, the emotional mechanics of negotiation, review common pitfalls, and practice pressure-tested tools in "Negotiation Essentials" with Max Bevilacqua, Principal and Founder of Max Negotiating.

Presentation (This is a 26-page, 3 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Rob Everette, Lucy Nagasawa, and Rory Sullivan of DocuSign

How can DocuSign help a law firm manage agreements? DocuSign was founded on the principle that everyone has a system of agreement, whether they know it or not. In this program, you will learn how to streamline processes through easy-to-use e-signature and document management solutions like engagement agreements, affidavits, depositions, and other key documents. With DocuSign’s new remote online notary solution, it can provide a one-stop-shop for many firms depending on the state they are in.

Presentation (This is a 17-page, 704 kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by David Skinner and Karen Dunn Skinner of Gimbal

In this highly interactive presentation, you will be introduced to a simple, proven communication formula that’s been used in thousands of movies and has been adopted by some of the world’s top brands.

You will understand how to apply this framework to create a clear message that will speak to your clients and grow your reputation and the revenue of your law practice.

This session will give you the opportunity to apply the framework and begin clarifying your firm’s message. Your clients will pay attention and respond. Your sales will go up. You’ll see the results you always knew were possible.

When you clarify your message:

• Your website starts working for you,
• Your colleagues and staff become a powerful sales force, and
• Your clients will repeat a viral message that spreads.

Presentation (This is a 14-page, 2MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Christine Clapp and Michele Morrissey of Spoken with Authority

Whether attorneys are in a virtual meeting, on the phone, around the proverbial “water cooler,” or anywhere else, their ability to speak and communicate with confidence to colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders will enhance their practice — just as a lack of confidence will frustratingly hold them back. In this session, participants will learn a set of powerful insights and practical strategies that will rapidly enhance their speaking skills and oral advocacy — whether they are speaking online or in-person, to an audience of one, several, or many. Get ready to develop presentations skills in a way that will elevate presence and expand influence!

Participants will:

• Explore the six elements of professional presence with photo and video examples
• Assess personal strengths and weaknesses with regard to body language, vocal quality, facial expressions, filler words, eye contact, and physical setting
• Start enhancing strengths and mitigating weaknesses

Presented by Rob Saland of QOMPLX

According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 43% of Cyber-attacks are aimed at small businesses; however, only 14% of small businesses are prepared to defend themselves. The fact of the matter is that attackers are lazy. Rather than identify a specific entity to target, they look for easy-to-exploit vulnerabilities which often map back to small and medium sized firms. In this program, we will breakdown an actual attacker scenario on a small firm, what defenders try as mitigation tactics and why they typically miss, as well as practical (and no/low cost) steps your firm can take to mitigate IT risk.

Presentation (This is a 12-page, 240 kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program

Presented by Maddy Martin of Smith.ai

Many small-firm and solo attorneys are spread thin, yet hesitate to filter out distractions and hand off time-consuming tasks. Whether you're missing calls and leads, struggling to follow-up with existing clients and capture late payments, or just looking to run a more efficient and profitable law firm, the right communication systems can help you get more done. Cut out bad habits, reduce interruptions, and automate workflows to yield more qualified leads, happier clients, and better work/life balance.

You'll learn 7 basic and advanced techniques for incorporating tools that promote professionalism and productivity into your operations with minimal investment of time, energy, and money:

1. Manage inbound communications with smart phone systems & web chat
2. Automate lead capture & qualification
3. Hand-off new client intake
4. Streamline appointment scheduling & reminders
5. Consistently collect payments
6. Systematically refer "bad" leads and generate more referrals
7. Integrate your communications into your existing systems: CRM, website, calendar, billing system, email, SMS/chat, and more.

If you're not familiar with the latest business and communications management technology, services and processes, you'll learn how to get started, with an efficient setup that maximizes impact with minimal time, effort, and cost.

If you're already using one or more of these services or processes, you'll come away with actionable ways to get more out of them, for greater operational efficiency, marketing results, client satisfaction, and profitability.

Presentation (This is a 45-page, 1MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Pratibha Agarwal of Agarwal Law Group, Sara Kropf of Kropf Moseley PLLC, and Jane Lemley of Harrison & Johnston, PLC.

Since 2017, a group of eight local law firm founders has met regularly to share information and seek advice about running their own firms, improving business development, and meeting professional career goals. They hail from different professional backgrounds and handle myriad practice areas, but they share the goal of improving their law firms and their careers. Three members of this “mastermind” group will describe how the group has helped them over the years, sometimes in unexpected ways. They will discuss how they meet as a group both pre-COVID and during COVID, including monthly phone calls and yearly retreats. The presentation will cover what topics they discuss as a group, how they decide on agendas for meetings, and what has worked (and not worked) for their group. Finally, they will offer practical advice to those thinking about starting their own mastermind groups.

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Tim Bedford of Ruby.com.

How can law practices use a client experience mindset to set themselves up for success?

Join us as we answer this question and more in this upcoming webinar. Topics covered include:

1. The state of the legal industry.
2. Innovations in technology affecting growth.
3. Expectations of today’s legal clients.
4. Three focus areas that deliver consistent growth.
5. Ways to increase conversions and expand your client base.
6. How to retain existing clients and turn them into referrals.
7. Ruby’s 24/7/365 virtual receptionist and live chat solution.

Presentation (This is a 35-page, 3MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Kim Bey of Bey & Associates, CPAs, PC.

Experience has taught us that many small firm owners waste thousands of dollars every year in taxes they don't really owe. Tax codes change continually. What was true five years ago isn’t always true today. Who can keep up?

During this session you will learn how to decrease your tax burden using key tax strategies including:

• Determining whether your home office qualifies as a business expense.
• Ensuring you are maximizing your retirement.
• Setting up the right type of corporate entity. One type isn’t right for all businesses.
• Avoiding the single most expensive tax mistake of all;
• and much more!

Presentation (This is a 39-page, 5MB PDF)

Presented by Tom Lambotte founder and CEO of Security+

Lawyers have made significant advancements in their adoption and advancement of technology over the past ten years, primarily fueled by the global migration to the cloud. Thanks to this progress, it is easier than ever for a small law firm to get access to and configure the technology needed to practice.

Unfortunately, the simplification of technology introduced an often-overlooked downside that exposes thousands of small law firms to the risk of suffering a data breach. This is because the responsibility of security practices resides under ‘taking care of technology myself.’ While cloud technology has made most things more straightforward, cybersecurity threats have become more complex, and lawyers often do not possess the skills, knowledge, or time to protect themselves adequately.

So how do you fully secure your law practice from the ever-growing list of cyber threats so that you can be at ease and so you can count on more than hope to protect you? Join us to tap into expert knowledge to advance the security measures of your law firm quickly.

Presentation (This is a 82-page, 12MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Mark Lefever of USI Affinity

Selecting malpractice coverage is important for lawyers in a firm of any size. How much coverage is needed? How much should it cost? How does the cost of defense affect the premium and coverage? How can a fee dispute affect coverage? What happens if the lawyer changes providers? What are the insurance issues surrounding the pandemic?

This informative program will also explore topics and issues such as where malpractice claims originate, how to determine appropriate coverage, and how to select a carrier, policy, and broker. We will discuss how a firm can protect itself against a cyberattack and how to be prepared when one does occur including, what cyber insurance does and does not cover.

Presentation (This is a 41-page, 888 kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Casey Meraz

In this program we will cover the strategies and tactics SEO companies don’t want you to know about and how your law firm can rank for important keywords in your market that will bring your firm new cases. In this presentation we will review how local search works and the tactics you need to implement to increase your visibility and grow your law firm for free.

Presentation (This is a 46-page, 3MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Deborah Schaefer

Billing and accounting software is one of the most critical solutions for any law firm. Proper accounting and recording of all fees and costs that are billed and collected directly impact the earnings of a law firm. There are many potential solutions for law firm billing and accounting, and it is often difficult to know which one to choose. The selection process should include planning, identifying wants and needs, proper evaluation of potential solutions and defining a practical implementation schedule. Properly selecting and implementing the best solution is critical to the law firm adoption and success of a time billing and accounting software.

Presentation (This is a 37-page, 2MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Mary Ellen Hickman of Hickman Consulting Partners, LLC

Think of this as marketing made simple. During this session we will talk through how to identify the right target audience, define your unique point of difference, and choose which of the many marketing and communication channels – advertising, social media, content marketing, and more – will work best for you and your firm. You will learn to target, streamline and prioritize, and measure success. You’ll leave with a brief, written outline of a marketing plan that is strategic, practical, and effective.

Presentation (This is a 28-page, 2MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Erin Page of Fastcase

During this program, we will explore search methods and techniques to achieve better results and lead you through a step-by-step, hands-on, experience using Fastcase's many tools and features.

Fastcase is a bar member benefit and the leading next-generation legal research service that puts a comprehensive national law library and smarter and more powerful searching, sorting, and visualization tools right at your fingertips. The Fastcase collection includes cases, statutes, regulations, court rules, and constitutions. Fastcase also provides access to a newspaper archive, legal forms, and a one-stop PACER search of federal filings through our content partners.

Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Sharon Nelson and John Simek of Sensei Enterprises, Inc

In October 2020, Clio's Legal Trends Report was officially released in conjunction with the Clio Cloud Conference 2020. Clio CEO said that, after the pandemic hit, we moved ten years into the future in ten weeks.

Want a taste of the future of law? Here’s how lawyers are rapidly morphing their practices.

• 96% say they'll store firm data in the cloud.
• 95% say they'll support electronic documents and signatures.
• 96% say they'll accept electronic payments.
• 96% say they'll use practice management software.
• 83% say they'll meet clients through videoconferencing.

As Yogi Berra once said, “The future ain’t what it used to be.” Join us for a look at how law firms are transforming the future of law.

Presentation (This is a 15-page, 1MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Annette Choti of Law Quill

More online visibility means more traffic to your website and more clients! Learn 20 different ways to make your law firm have a larger digital footprint online. — Work smarter not harder!

Presentation (This is a 21-page, 3MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Christine Clapp of Spoken with Authority

Whether attorneys are in a virtual meeting, on the phone, around the proverbial “water cooler,” or anywhere else: their ability to speak and communicate with confidence to colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders will enhance their practice — just as a lack of confidence will frustratingly hold them back. In this session, participants will learn a set of powerful insights and practical strategies that will rapidly enhance their speaking skills and oral advocacy — whether they are speaking online or in person, to an audience of one, several, or many. Get ready to develop presentation skills in a way that will elevate presence and expand influence!

Participants will:

• Explore the six elements of professional presence with photo and video examples.
• Assess personal strengths and weaknesses with regard to body language, vocal quality, facial expressions, filler words, eye contact, and physical setting.
• Start enhancing strengths and mitigating weaknesses.

Presented by Alice Ahearn and Emily Baker of Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP

Do you problem solve in your practice? Do you interact regularly with opposing counsel or even clients that you disagree with?

Join Family law attorneys Alice Ahearn and Emily Baker as they provide an overview on how collaborative law is practiced in DC and Virginia, the “basics” of getting trained and becoming a collaborative practitioner, and tips and tricks collaborative practitioners use in “getting to yes.” Other topics include:

• The benefits of creating a dialogue between counsel and/or clients.
• Communication and listening tips collaborative practitioners use to break through emotional and logistical barriers to resolution.
• And more...

Collaborative practice is a modern way to approach many types of disputes. Come learn more about this alternative method of dispute resolution and how you can integrate these techniques into your practice.

Presentation (This is a 9-page, 389kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Tom Boyle of TrustBooks

This course will walk you through the most common trust accounting mistakes that small law firms make. We will provide real world case studies with practical takeaways that you can implement in your practice immediately. The focus will be on overcoming trust accounting challenges by using TrustBooks. If you’re looking to understand where attorneys get in trouble with their trust account and get a better handle on yours… this will be a great, hands-on course for you.

Presentation (This is a 20-page, 403kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Manny Cosme of CFO Services Group

In a hurry to start using QuickBooks Online? Learn the top three things you need to start using QuickBooks RIGHT NOW. This presentation is designed to help small business owners take the first step in getting their finances in order. Special emphasis will be placed on using QuickBooks to help attorneys manage client retainers in their IOLTA account.

Participants will learn how to do the following in QuickBooks Online:

• Track bill and expenses
• Record invoices and cash received
• Use the “Banking Center” to automate work
• Reconcile bookkeeping records with their bank (and why that’s important!)
• Manage monies in an IOLTA account

Required: Computer with Internet access
Recommended: QuickBooks Online subscription

Presentation (This is a 126-page, 10 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Grace Maupin of Carr Workplaces

This unique program will highlight novel ways to manage and grow your solo or small practice while promoting post-pandemic sustainability for your business.

With more litigation happening than ever, D.C. Bar members will learn about Carr Workplaces' professional business solutions to teleworking and discover in-depth how lawyers use services on-demand and have adapted while servicing clients both remotely and also in-person during a pandemic.
  
Program Highlights:

About Carr Workplaces – Running a successful flexible law office means trusting your team. Discover why Carr Workplaces, has been entrusted to serve hundreds of the DC legal community members for the last 13 years.
 
*D.C. Bar Members receive a 20% discount on CW membership services.*

Flexible Law Firms – This pandemic demonstrated that the legal community could be, at once, nimble, mobile, and successful. Learn how our on-demand virtual plans can be customized to meet your firm's needs, whether you are 100% remote or embracing a hybrid-flex approach.
 
Virtual Memberships – With solutions ranging from using a D.C. mailing address to enjoying a dedicated private suite - we will demonstrate how to scale your law practice while managing legal costs and risks. We will demonstrate how our offerings ensure you grow in the right direction as we transition out of this pandemic and beyond.
 
Legal Support – Carr Workplaces has customized its service offerings to support firms. Members can take advantage of the following on-demand services:

• On-site or virtual Notary Public
• Administrative support 
• Deposition services 
• Court reporting 
• Printing, binding, and document duplication
• Local and overnight courier services
• Court filings services
• Virtual IT Support

Health & Safety in the Workplace – Carr Workplaces prioritizes our clients' and team members' health and safety. Learn more about how we have modified our spaces and implemented new measures to ensure our clients' and guests' well-being.

Presentation (This is a 18-page, 6 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a short promo video.
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Michael Maschke and Brandon Barnes of Sensei Enterprises, Inc.

When previous employees take confidential corporate data (and more than half of them do!), valuable intellectual property may end up in the hands of a competing company or be used as an advantage when former employees start their own firm. From attached USB devices to Dropbox/file sharing websites, come and learn the ways digital forensics is being applied to investigate employee data theft.

Presentation (This is a 29-page, 2.1 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Jonelle Ocloo of the Law Offices of Jonelle Ocloo, LLC

So much has changed since a year ago. Not only has COVID-19 changed the practical aspects of managing immigration law clients and dealing with the government agencies but with the new Biden administration, we now have immigration legislation in Congress. Join us for a discussion on how to pivot your immigration practice in 2021. Topics covered will include:

• How has practice before the USCIS and Immigration Courts changed during the pandemic?
• Concessions and exceptions that USCIS has made during the pandemic.
• How have interactions with your clients changed in the new normal of COVID?
• Gearing your immigration practice for the possibility of new immigration laws and regulations.

Presentation (This is a 12-page, 1.0 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Mark LeFever of USI Affinity

Selecting malpractice coverage is important for lawyers in a firm of any size. How much coverage is needed? How much should it cost? How does the cost of defense affect the premium and coverage? How can a fee dispute affect coverage? What happens if the lawyer changes providers? What are the insurance issues surrounding the pandemic?

This informative program will also explore topics and issues such as where malpractice claims originate, how to determine appropriate coverage, and how to select a carrier, policy, and broker. We will discuss how a firm can protect itself against a cyberattack and how to be prepared when one does occur including, what cyber insurance does and does not cover.

Presentation (This is a 43-page, 2 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Catherine Sanders Reach of the Center for Practice Management at North Carolina

If your firm has a Microsoft 365 Business Standard (and up) subscription and you haven’t explored Teams you are missing out! Teams combines the functionalities of Slack, Zoom, and SharePoint in one platform that integrates with your other Microsoft applications seamlessly. Use it for internal communication, collaborating on documents, video/audio conferencing and creating channels for matter collaboration. So many possibilities, come see how your firm can take advantage of this robust tool.

Presentation (This is a 21-page, 1.5 MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Maddy Martin of Smith.ai

Many solo and small-firm attorneys rely on referrals to generate new clients. That seems smart, and it’s a practice backed by data. The 2017 Clio Legal Trends Report told us that 62% of people who are looking to hire a lawyer ask friends and family for recommendations. That remains true today.

You might find yourself with a solid client following and peer network. Perhaps your clients and peers refer new prospects to you, resulting in a stream of somewhat well qualified leads, fairly often. But that’s not what you need to level-up your firm’s growth, because it is not a strategy. Most often, referrals are inconsistent and unpredictable, and sometimes even unqualified.

A strategy means you have control, and it involves development, planning, procurement, and execution. A great strategy is predictable, repeatable, scalable, and most critically: owned, budgeted, and directed by you.

In just one hour, learn why referral marketing, as you’re currently doing it, is not optimized as a true “growth strategy,” and how to adopt a far superior referral marketing plan that drives consistent, high-quality leads you can rely on for predictable, substantial revenue growth.

Presentation (This is a 17-page, 202 kb PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Kim Bey of Bey & Associates CPAs PC

Experience has taught us that many small firm owners waste thousands of dollars every year in taxes they don’t really owe. During this session participants learned key tax strategies to:

• avoid making the single most expensive tax mistake of all
• slash the risk of an IRS audit
• qualify for home office deductions
• develop retirement savings plans

A video recording is not available for this program.

Presentation (This is a 40-page, 12MB PDF)

Presented by Sharon Nelson and John Simek of Sensei Enterprises

Many lawyers have suffered a decline in business and income with the impact of the pandemic and an uncertain economy. Marketing was always a necessity but often lawyers were too busy to focus on it. Some lawyers now have more time to market and are anxious to ramp up their practice and their revenues. Join Sharon Nelson and John Simek from Sensei Enterprises as they share their most successful and innovative marketing strategies with you. You will come away with tools you can immediately put into action on behalf of your law firm!

Presentation (This is a 51-page, 9.8MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Niki Irish of the D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program

It is a new year, yet the challenges of 2020 remain. What can help us meet those challenges is increasing our resilience.

Resilience is a person’s ability to withstand and bounce back from adversity and hardship. While personality research shows lawyers as a population tend to be quite low in resiliency, it is a trait anyone can learn and develop. In this program, participants will learn evidence-based practices for building resilience to cope with adversity, adapt to change, and overcome challenges.

Presentation (This is a 27-page, 4MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.

Presented by Erin Paige and Tim Shadoan of Fastcase

NextChapter is an online software for attorneys to prepare, manage, and file bankruptcy cases with the court. The web application guides the attorney through the complete bankruptcy process efficiently by introducing a revolutionary linear model which has become its signature Bankruptcy Web Workflow®.

NextChapter offers flexible pricing options, clean design, and awesome customer support. Attorneys can prepare Chapter 7, 11, 13, business, personal and emergency bankruptcy cases using NextChapter. Another benefit of the software is its number of case management tools for law firms and their clients. These features include a document assembly tool, client portal, calendaring, notices inbox, and client texting, and much more.

Presentation (This is a 26-page, 4MB PDF)
Click here to watch a video of the program.