Creating a Gold Standard Reputation – The Ethics of a Successful Law Practice
Register online now for the 2019 Annual Ethics Update. Live (Tampa) and webcast on Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore. As members of The Florida Bar, our reputation, ethics and standing in the community should be impeccable. Our presenters will focus on professionalism, courtroom etiquette, cybersecurity in a changing world, sexual harassment and the unauthorized practice of law. Course 3477. Discounted registration for Solo & Small Firm Section members only $160 (live) and $210 (webcast). REGISTER
8:00 AM – 8:10 AM Welcome Peggy Hoyt, Oviedo
8:10 AM – 9:00 AM Professionalism – The Cornerstone of Your Reputation Caroline Johnson Levine, Tampa
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM Cyber Security – How to Ethically Protect Yourself and Your Firm Angel R. Rojas, Jr., Tampa
9:50 AM – 10:00 AM Break
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM An Update on the Unauthorized Practice of Law Ghunise Coaxum, Orlando
10:50 AM – 11:40 AM Ethically Speaking, It’s Our Reputation – Imposter Syndrome and Sexual Harassment Melanie Griffin, Tampa
11:40 AM – 12:30 AM Etiquette for the Courtroom – Ethical and Practical Tips in a Digital World Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, Live Oak, Peggy Hoyt, Oviedo and Melanie Griffin, Tampa
Free CLE seminar for Solo & Small Firm Section members. Basics of Sovereign Immunity Litigation under F.S. §768.28 is a live presentation by Section Chair Lee E. “Pete” Muschott, from 5 to 5:50 p.m. at Le Méridien Tampa. This CLE will provide the foundation for prosecuting claims against governmental entities or defending those entities against claims for negligence.
Afterward, please join us for a networking reception, also at Le Méridien Tampa, in the Bizou Lounge on the second floor of the hotel. Visit with other section members and learn how you can get involved on a committee or in a leadership role. If you plan to attend the CLE or the networking event, please RSVP to Section Administrator Ricky Libbert at rlibbert@floridabar.org. Solo & Small Firm Section members only. We hope to see you there.
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
Live audio webcast CLE presentation.
Live audio webcast presented by Sean Desmond of Dudley, Sellers, Healy, Heath & Desmond, PLLC and John Maceluch of the Office of the 14th Circuit State Attorney. So I know how to litigate a jury trial or take a case to DOAH, surely I can run a law firm, right?! Learn from the experiences of two former prosecutors who opened up a practice and learned the hard way about overhead, personnel issues, marketing, etc. Course 3409. 1.0 CLE. Section members register for only $75. Register online now.
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.
“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.
“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 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