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.

This webinar will focus on the quickly evolving legal and ethical issues in Florida with representing medical marijuana and/or hemp growers, distributors and sellers.

Tuesday, Jan. 21, Noon – 1:00 PM
Presented by Tara Tedrow, Shareholder & Chair, Cannabis and Controlled Substances Group, Lowndes Drosdick Doster Kantor & Reed, Orlando.

Register online now. Don’t miss the annual solo and small firm conference on Friday, Feb. 7 in Orlando. The conference theme is SOS: Secure, Optimize, Systemize. Survive—and thrive—strategies for solos and small firms. Presented by Bank OZK.

VIEW THE CONFERENCE WEB PAGE

PROGRAM

• Secure the Hatches. Cybersecurity and Privacy for Lawyers
• Know the Ropes. Bar Resources, Mentoring and Member Benefits
• Lighten the Load. Automation, Integration and Paperless Strategies
• All Hands on Deck. Creating and Managing a Successful Virtual Law Firm
• Bridge the Gap. Generating Outside Income and Revenue Streams
• Stay the Course. Surviving Solo While Sick
• Toe the Line. Ethics and Social Media

“Best Practices Under Florida Bar Rules for Sharing Fees Among Different Law Firms” is a live audio webcast by Kristy Johnson and Jason Alderman of Alderman Johnson in Miami. The presenters will discuss best practices for sharing legal fees among different law firms to comply with the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and Florida case law. Course number 3411. Registration details will be available soon.

Kristy Johnson

Jason Alderman

“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

“Work, Interrupted” is a live audio webcast on how to identify and deal with the constant flow of interruptions in your practice. Presented by Steve Riley of Atticus. 1.0 General CLE credit. Section members $55; non-section members $100. Course number 3412. 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.

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

“Merging Law Firms and Promoting Associates to Partners: How to Handle the Legal Structure of Law Firm Ownership” is a live audio webcast by Laurie Lee of The Legal Department for Service Professionals, P.A. in Jacksonville. Many solo practitioners and small firms run into particular issues when looking to expand. Some expand by merging practices with another lawyer or firm and some expand by promoting associates to partners.  In both scenarios, there are business concerns that need to be understood and addressed that will be discussed during this program. Course number 3413. 1.0 CLE credit. REGISTER NOW

Laurie Lee, The Legal Department

Laurie Lee started her career as a history teacher but after a conversation with an advisor reawakened her childhood passion for law, she switched focus going all in on her pursuit of a law degree. Her love for creativity, independence and optimistic life-view made practicing law on behalf of the small, service-based business a perfect fit.

The Legal Department evolved out of her desire to occupy an uncommon space in the legal industry. She wanted to share knowledge and create long-term relationships with clients as their trusted advisor changing the narrative of attorney-client relationships. Laurie’s deep understanding that relationships are essential to the success of the business owner; whether it’s relationships between owners, clients and customers, or community partners, a business must develop and adopt good business practices.

In an industry where making money and winning are prime objectives, Laurie’s singular focus on serving businesses that serve others through the exchange of information and relationship building is a revolutionary concept. Focusing on this type of client drives her continued pursuit of innovative ways to educate and serve her clients.

Laurie graduated from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law with honors in 2003 and has practiced business law since becoming a member of the Florida Bar that same year.

The SBA awarded Laurie Lee the 2019 North Florida Woman-Owned Business of the Year; an award recognizing her work supporting and advocating for small businesses. She is an AV Preeminent® Peer-Rated by Martindale-Hubbel®, the highest possible rating for professional ethical standards and legal ability. This honor is achieved through reviews and recommendations from members of the bar and judiciary. She also has a 10 out of 10 Superb AVVO® Rating.

Bar Involvement

• Member of the Jacksonville Bar Association
• Vice-Chairman of the Jacksonville Bar Transactional Section (2016-2017)
• Chairman of the Jacksonville Bar Corporate & Business Law Committee (2014-2015, 2015-2016)
• Member of the Florida Bar Business Law Section

Business Involvement

• President of the Small Business Resource Network (2019-2020)
• Small Business Resource Network, Program Chair (2016, 2017, 2018)
• Small Business Resource Network, Steering Committee (2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
• Member of the Women Business Owners of North Florida

“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.