On Friday, June 19, the Solo & Small Firm Section will host its first-ever virtual Annual and Executive Council meetings on Zoom. Section members: Please join us from 1 – 3:30 PM for the meetings to learn more about section business, get to know your EC members and learn how you can get involved. Registration details will be emailed to you prior to the meetings.

Section members: Join us on Friday, June 19 at 4 PM for the section’s first-ever virtual networking happy hour! The Summer Solstice starts on June 20, so our theme is “Celebrate Summer.” Theme participation is optional, of course, but if you want to have some fun with it, you can dress “summer” and toast with your favorite summer-time beverage. This is an excellent networking opportunity and might become a regular section event! Registration details will be emailed to you prior to the event.

Friday, February 12 live GoToWebinar. “Virtually Irresistible:  Tech Tools and Strategies for Solo and Small Firms.” 8 A.M. – 12:55 P.M. $185 Section Members, $230 Non-Section Members, 5.0 General; 3.0 Technology CLE credits. Course number 4253. Registrants will have 90-day, on-demand access. REGISTER NOW

Don’t miss the all-new Solo & Small Firm Conference, featuring prestigious speakers and timely, engaging topics to benefit YOUR practice.

8–8:10 AM Welcome and introductions.

8:10–9 AM  Let’s Talk. Improving Team Building and Communication Skills in A Virtual World.   One of the challenges of the virtual world is learning how to work effectively as a team. In addition, working remotely adds new wrinkles to how we communicate – not only with the team but with clients. This session will provide strategies that will help you more fully engage your team and tips to improve your communication with both your team and with clients. Presented by Nora Bergman of Real Life Practice.

9–9:55 AM  Systems Thinking and Technology for Running The Lean Law Firm. While nearly every industry has jumped with both feet into the future, law firms have mostly failed to capitalize on the “science of industrial management.” No more. Learn how to transform your law firm using Lean methods and technologies pioneered by Toyota and relied upon by the world’s most profitable and highest performing companies from Dave Maxfield, lawyer and co-author of the ABA’s bestselling book,  “The Lean Law Firm.”

9:55–10:10 AM  Break

10:10–11:05 AM  Virtual Law Clerks and Contract Lawyers: Hiring, Training and Firing; Outsourcing. How do you find contract lawyers, integrate them into your practice, and provide sufficient oversight? What are the employment law considerations when hiring, training and firing law clerks and contract attorneys, particularly when working virtually?  How do you determine the appropriate rates? Presented by Kristin Tyler of LawClerk.

11:05 AM–12 PM  Law Firm Autopilot. Effectively leveraging technology and automating aspects of your practice will free you up to focus on meaningful work. Presented by “Ernie the Attorney” Ernie Svenson.

12–12:55 PM  How to Sustain and Grow a Solo and Small Firm Practice With the Use of Technology. A panel discussion with practitioners who have established successful solo and small firms will discuss their practice models and use of technology. Moderator: Cristina Alonso of Alonso Appeals. Panelists: April Martindale of Martindale Law, Camara Williams of Smith & Williams Trial Group, and Liz McCausland of Liz McCausland, P.A.

Join LAWCLERK Co-Founder Kristin Tyler on March 11 at noon for a free, introductory webinar on LAWCLERK. Want to start outsourcing? Not sure how to get started? Get answers here—it’s easier than you may think. Plus, Kristin will give an overview of LAWCLERK’s new partnership with the section.

Solo & Small Firm Section members now can earn rebates when they hire freelance attorneys through LAWCLERK—and the section will receive a share of the revenue for each member who signs up and uses an account. Sign up as a freelancer or create a hiring attorney account to connect with talented attorney freelancers from the section. The exclusive rebate and referral code is FLSSF-MEMBER. Get details.

LAWCLERK is where attorneys go to hire freelance lawyers. The company has built a nationwide network of over 3,400 freelance lawyers—called Lawclerks—who can help busy attorneys with research, any sort of written document, discovery, or other project-based written work. Don’t miss the March 11 webinar to learn how you can get started. REGISTER

June 10, 7:55 AM – 4:25 PM. Statutory updates in eight key areas of Florida law:  Business; Employment; Bankruptcy; Elder; Estate Planning; Criminal; Family and Construction. Approved for 8.0 General CLE credits and the following board certification credits:  1.0 Juvenile Law; 2.0 Business Litigation; 1.0 Civil Trial; 1 Construction Law; 1.0 Criminal Appellate; 1.0 Criminal Trial; 1.0 Elder Law; 1.0 Labor and Employment; 1.0 Wills,Trusts, & Estates; 0.5 Workers Compensation. Course number 4380. REGISTER

7:55 AM – 8:00 AM
Opening Remarks
Peggy Hoyt, Program Chair

8:00 AM – 8:50 AM
Business Law Update
Clay Roesch, Orlando

8:50 AM – 9:40 AM
Employment Law Update
Kevin Johnson, Tampa

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM
Bankruptcy
Kristina Feher, St. Petersburg

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Break

10:45 AM – 11:35 AM
Elder Law
Peggy Hoyt, Oviedo
Alex Douglas, Orlando

11:35 AM – 12:20 PM
Estate Planning
Peggy Hoyt, Oviedo
Alex Douglas, Orlando

12:20 PM – 1:45 PM
Lunch

1:45 PM – 2:35 PM
Criminal Law
Brice Aikens, Orlando

2:35 PM – 3:25 PM
Personal Injury Law Update
James Gordon, Oviedo

3:25 PM – 3:35 PM
Break

3:35 PM – 4:25 PM
Construction Law
Patrick Neale, Naples