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

July 8, 12-1 PM Wednesday Wisdom free CLE on Zoom. Registration is open to all; reserve your spot quickly. REGISTER NOW. Approved for 1.0 General, 1.0 Bias Elimination CLE Course No. 4048. Special thank you to section annual sponsor LexHelper.

Join the SSF Section for this important webinar to learn more about ways to invoke change within our diverse communities both professionally and personally. Topics will range from implicit bias, racial injustice, having uncomfortable conversations, ways to make a difference and much more. We ALL can play a part in being the change we want to see to achieve equality!

• Moderator Jacina Haston, Solo & Small Firm Section Chair-Elect; Senior Assistant County Attorney, Pinellas County; former director of The Florida Bar Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism.
• LaShawnda Jackson, Partner, Rumberger l Kirk; first African-American president of the Orange County Bar Association; immediate past president of the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association.
• Camara Williams, Partner, Smith & Williams Trial Group; community organizer.
• Shenika “Nik” Harris, LGBTQ Consumer Advocate, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services; attorney; activist; speaker.
• Diriki Geuka, Assistant County Attorney, Pinellas County, representing county agencies including the Office of Human Rights; former federal staff attorney.

Aug. 26, 12 – 1 PM Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar, free CLE for Solo & Small Firm Section members, by Joy Lutz of Aligned CPA, LLC. “Power Your Firm by Understanding Your Numbers: From Financial Statements and Budgets to Goal Setting.” Learn how your financials can help you make better decisions, get a hold on your cash flow and use metrics to achieve your goals. CLE approval pending. REGISTER NOW.

Joy Lutz is a CPA, certified tax coach, and owner of Aligned CPA, LLC in Lake City, FL, where she helps solo and small law firms with accounting, tax prep and planning, and advisory services. Joy is a certified Tax Coach with the American Institute of Certified Tax Planners and was named a top “40 Under 40” CPA in the accounting profession for 2015 by the CPA Practice Advisor, as well as earning the Small Business of the Year award in 2016 by the Lake City‐Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

She is involved in many organizations and has held leadership positions with the Lake City Chamber of Commerce, Ronald McDonald House, Happy House and Altrusa.

Sept. 23 Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar by Michael Stewart of Wells Fargo. Free CLE for Solo & Small Firm Section members. In this webinar, Mr. Stewart a Wells Fargo Private Wealth Financial Advisor, will discuss retirement plans for law firms and their various features. Course number 4139. Approved for 1.0 General CLE credit. REGISTER NOW

Michael Stewart joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2006. He is the Private Wealth Financial Advisor, Managing Director-Investments, Fundamental Choice Portfolio Manager for clients and acts as the lead portfolio strategist for the team. The team uses a comprehensive approach to investment planning. Portfolios are implemented by utilizing an open architecture structure. Combined with Wells Fargo Advisors’ vast resources, the team customizes solutions for each client. Michael has his MBA in Financial Planning from the University of Miami. Previous to joining Wells Fargo Advisors, Michael was the National Portfolio Analyst at Mellon Private Wealth Management in Philadelphia.  After attaining his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Miami, Michael worked for Tew Cardenas, LLP where part of his role was evaluating securities arbitration cases.  Michael lives in Fort Lauderdale with his wife Jennifer.

“Conducting Remote Proceedings: From Presenting Evidence During Hearings and Trials to Participating in Zoom Mediations.” October 21, 12 – 1 PM Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar, free CLE. Presented by Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll, Third Judicial Circuit General Magistrate Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, Renee Thompson and Liz McCausland. Course number4210. 1.0  Technology  CLE  credit.  REGISTER

Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin is the General Magistrate for the Third Judicial Circuit in North Central Florida and presides over probate, guardianship, domestic relations and foreclosure matters. She is a former chair of The Florida Bar Solo & Small Firm Section. Jennifer’s past Bar experience includes service as President of the Third Judicial Circuit Bar Association and on various committees of The Florida Bar Family Law Section. As the Third Judicial Circuit Young Lawyer’s Board of Governor’s Representative, she oversaw the development and launch of the YLD’s  “Mentoring With the Masters” video program. Jennifer also is the author of “Deadly Escape,” a crime thriller novel that has been used as a course textbook for Stetson Law School’s Criminal Procedure class.

Renee E. Thompson is a solo civil trial attorney and mediator from Ocala, Florida. She is an active leader in The Florida Bar, serving on the Board of Governors as the current Technology Chair and Member Benefit Liaison and on the Executive Council of the Solo and Small Firm Section. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law in the area of Practice Management and Technology and has received the General Practice/ Solo and Small Firm Section’s Walter S. Crumbley Award for her contributions in the area of practice management. She established a  reputation at a young age as a high achiever, as President of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division and inaugural Chair of The Florida Bar Leadership Academy, and received the President’s Award of Merit twice while serving on the Board of Governors.

Liz McCausland has been practicing law for over 20 years after graduating from the University of Florida with both her Bachelor of Arts and JD degrees. She practiced civil litigation representing both individuals and national corporations before starting her own firm. Ms. McCausland now concentrates in bankruptcy and mediation. She is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. She served on committees to establish both the Orlando Bankruptcy Division’s Mortgage Modification Mediation Program, as well as the Orange County Mortgage Modification Program.

She has conducted over 4,000 Mortgage Modification Mediations in every district in Florida, as well as in Indiana, California, Nevada, and Arizona. She travels throughout the US to teach other attorneys and mediators how to successfully obtain and mediate mortgage modifications in bankruptcy.

Liz has served in leadership positions in many voluntary bar associations and has won awards for her devoted service including being recognized with the Lawrence G. Matthews Professionalism Award. She is a past president of the Orange County Bar Association, and serves on the executive board of the Florida Bar’s Solo and Small Firm Section. She has also previously served on the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Section, The Florida Bar’s Leadership Academy Committee and on the executive board of the Central Florida Association For Women Lawyers.

Liz is a self-proclaimed gadget geek and has never met an app she didn’t try. Unfortunately, the nuances of Microsoft Excel still confound her.

Born and raised in Sarasota County, Hunter W. Carroll is a circuit judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit. For the last two years, he has been the administrative judge for the circuit civil division in Sarasota County. Prior to his 2015 appointment to the bench, Judge Carroll’s law practice focused on complex commercial litigation matters, although he practiced in other areas of the law as well, including appellate law. He is a past president of the Sarasota County Bar Association and Judge John M. Scheb American Inns of Court. He previously served as a governor from the 12th Circuit on The Florida Bar Board of Governors, Young Lawyers Division. Judge Carroll began his legal career as a staff attorney to then Chief Justice Wells of the Supreme Court of Florida. Judge Carroll attended the University of Florida for both undergraduate studies and law school.