Aug. 28 Zoom Webinar, 12-1 p.m. Free CLE. Join the Solo & Small Firm Section for “Trust Accounting Procedures and Steps to Protect Your Clients’ Funds,” a live audio webcast by Florida Bar Chief Branch Discipline Counsel Sheila Tuma. This presentation will address the trust accounting process and procedures to help participants maintain all required records and be in full compliance with the rules. Solo & Small Firm Section members only. Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. 1.0 General CLE. Course No. 3636.

REGISTER

Free, members-only, Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar presented by Joshua Hertz and Paula Black. This webinar will discuss ideas dealing with happiness in solo and smaller firm practices, which is the foundation of mental health and well being.  Topics to be discussed include how to successfully run your firm and to develop business that fits into your lifestyle while making you happy as you help others. Solo & Small Firm Section members only. Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed.

REGISTER

Wednesday Wisdom: “Attracting and Retaining Clients” by Bill Curphey. Zoom audio webcast, free for Solo & Small Firm Section members.

Whether you are starting as an associate at a firm, working for the government or a business, or starting out on your own, Bill Curphey will share his insights on how he built his successful private practice after transitioning from a federal trial attorney and corporate in-house counsel and how he continues to grow and keep his client base throughout his over 45 years of practice. CLE credit pending. Registration will be confirmed when section membership is verified. REGISTER

Free, members-only Zoom webinar presented by Jamie Billotte Moses, an appellate specialist with Holland & Knight. What makes the practice of law so stressful? What are you doing or not doing that might be contributing to your stress? Are you making things more time consuming and frustrating than they need to be? Are you sabotaging your peace of mind? Jamie Moses will share with you some of her strategies for balancing work, raising children and trying to be a contributing member of the community.

“Wednesday Wisdom:  Trustbooks for Solo and Small Firms” is a live Zoom webcast, free of charge to members of the Solo & Small Firm Section. Renee E. Thompson of Upchurch Watson White & Max will moderate a discussion about the Trust Accounting Software Program, a new Florida Bar member benefit. Course number TBA. 1.0 CLE credit. Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

Join the Solo & Small Firm Section on March 25 for a special edition Wednesday Wisdom, “COVID-19 & Your Practice:  Managing Your Firm During Uncertain Times,” presented by attorney and Certified Practice Advisor Steve Riley of Atticus Advantage Attorney Law Firm Coaching.

If area schools and/or the courts shut down, if employees can’t get to work, if your office building closes, or if new or existing clients can’t make it to your office, what will you do? Steve Riley will explore strategies for how you can handle these situations while supporting your staff and clients, including remote work scenarios for law firms. He also will discuss the potential impact on your firm’s cash flow. Course number TBA. 1.0 CLE pending approval. REGISTER

Steve Riley first practiced law as a trial attorney, acquiring a decade of experience trying more than 100 cases, including multiple jury trials. Balancing trial work with the rigors of running a practice gave Steve a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by firm owners. After 10 years of litigation, Steve transitioned his practice into estate planning and elder law and through referral-based marketing strategies built a thriving, large practice.

The firm’s dramatic growth prompted other lawyers to seek Steve’s mentorship on growing their own practices, and he quickly became the go-to advisor for many successful practitioners. To further pursue that passion, he sold his practice and joined the nation’s premier law practice management consulting firm, Atticus, as a shareholder. Atticus currently works with approximately 500 solo and small firm owners seeking to grow their practices. Founded in 1989, Atticus has taught thousands of attorneys how to focus on what’s really important in their lives and ways to build and maintain a thriving practice that supports their work and personal goals.

April 1 Live Wednesday Wisdom Zoom Webinar, 12-1 p.m. Free CLE. Join the Solo & Small Firm Section for “Do Law Firms Need Those? – Creating an Employee Handbook in the Legal Industry.” This live Zoom webinar will be presented by Chris Johnson and Colby Ellis of Johnson Jackson PLLC. As lawyers, we tend to think that we know the rules and can make decisions about our employees when they arise. And what is there to worry about – these are our employees – they love us! But, notifying employees of the rules and available benefits ahead of time and making consistent decisions based on those rules is paramount to avoiding potential liability and allegations of unfair treatment. Join us on this webcast on creating a workable Employee Handbook that will identify the must-have policies along with the potential landmines that various statutory schemes create. 1.0 CLE. Course number TBA. Registration will be approved when Solo & Small Firm Section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

“Florida’s Newly Enacted Remote Online Notarization (RON)” is a live Zoom webcast by Michelle Garcia Gilbert of  Gilbert Garcia Group P.A. Free Wednesday Wisdom CLE for Solo & Small Firm Section members.* Join Michelle to learn what solo and small firm attorneys need to know about how this new law (effective January 1, 2020), can impact their practices. 1.0 CLE. Course number TBA. Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

Michelle Garcia Gilbert

Michelle has been admitted to the following practices and courts: Florida Bar, 1986; Middle District of Florida; 1988, Northern District of Florida; 2005, Southern District of Florida, 2006; U.S. Supreme Court, 2000; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 2003. She matriculated at the University of South Florida (B.A., 1982, cum laude), and the University of Notre Dame (J.D., 1985). She is a member of the following groups: Greater Tampa Association of Realtors; Bay Area Real Estate Council, Inc.; Hillsborough County Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section; Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Business Sections; American Legal and Financial Network; Legal League 100 (Advisory Board Member, 2014-15); REOMAC; MBA; Attorney Agent, Attorney’s Title Insurance Fund/ Old Republic; Fidelity National Title agent, and Stewart Title agent.

May 27 Wednesday Wisdom Zoom Webinar, 12-1 p.m. Free CLE. Join us for “Stay Sane—Practice Better” by Solo & Small Firm Section Chair Lee E. “Pete” Muschott to learn about the art of relaxation and the benefits it can have for your practice. Pete Muschott has devoted much time and energy to the study and practice of relaxation since he started practicing law. He finds that relaxation becomes more and more important as his practice matures. Hear pro tips from an attorney who says this about the importance of mental health and wellness for lawyers: “I have survived 45 years in the practice of law with my marriage intact, reasonably good relationships with my daughters and grandchildren, and my addictions limited to black coffee and things with two wheels that make a lot of noise. Also, and perhaps most important, I am still having a good time practicing law.”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Do yourself a favor and register for this important wellness CLE. Course number 3845. Approved for 1.0 General; 1.0 Mental Illness CLE credit. REGISTER NOW