The last week of October is designated as a national celebration of pro bono. This year, it seems more critical than ever to support and play our part as we confront COVID-19, systemic racism in our society, voting rights, and economic crisis as issues that affect us all. The Law Practice Division extends our thanks to our members and everyone that gives their time year-round and contributes to this professional responsibility and ethical commitment.
Law Practice Today’s theme this month is pro bono and public service and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of our Law Practice volunteers and contributors. Even in these challenging times, our volunteers continue to develop meaningful resources to benefit our members and everyone dedicated to practice management. It is their spirit of dedication and to serve that will allow LP to innovate and thrive during the year ahead. Without them, we would not be able to highlight:
Virtual Fall Meeting
LP will be hosting its Fall Meeting the week of October 12, 2020. The week concludes with our Council Meeting being held on October 16, 2020, from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM. The Council meeting will include recapping fiscal year 2020, the challenges ahead for bar our current fiscal year of 2021, and our successes to date. The Council meeting will be available for you to watch via live broadcast on the Division’s Facebook page!
Lawyer Leadership Masterminds Series
Join your fellow managing partners, practice group leaders, and other law firm leaders for mastermind style discussions of some of the most pressing issues facing law firms today. Masterminds are peer-to-peer discussion groups used to help members solve their problems with input and advice from the other participants.
There is no cost for this program. It is a member benefit for ABA members.
Herding Lions: Getting Partners On Board with Necessary Changes
October 20, 2020
Extraordinary times require well-thought-out strategic action. Yet, even the best plans are meaningless when the partnership can’t reach consensus or when individual rebels undermine implementation. This mastermind session will discuss effective approaches for creating buy-in and getting partners on board with structural or organizational changes to the firm.
What Now? What Next? Planning for the Future in an Uncertain World
November 17, 2020
2020 has had more than its share of unexpected and dramatic events that have tested the strength and resilience of law firms and attorneys. Firm leaders have wondered whether there are good ways to plan for these often unanticipated events and risks. In this hour we’ll explore and discuss some of the most useful strategies, practices and tools that lawyers can use to prepare, respond and adapt to ever-increasing volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity in the practice of law.
Lawyer Well-Being: The Best Law Firm You Can Be
January 19, 2021
This program is designed to explore some of the factors and personal qualities essential for self-managing in the complex world of practicing law in 2020. It will examine such things as self-awareness, resilience, emotional intelligence, and collaboration. Most important it will share the two most critical attributes that make for happy lawyers and happy lawyering based on extensive empirical evidence.
Does the Compensation System Thwart Your Law Firm’s Goals?
February 16, 2021
Many law firm compensation systems have the double-barreled impact of triggering internal disharmony and disincentivizing activities crucial to the success and sustainability of the firm. This session will discuss ways that some firms have designed or modified their compensation systems to support a culture in which their lawyers thrive and enjoy their practice.
Succession Planning: What’s Your Next Step?
March 16, 2021
This session will explore the motivation and obstacles of succession planning and focus on how to make it a reality.
TECHSHOW 2021 Is Going Virtual: March 8-13, 2021
ABA TECHSHOW is where lawyers, legal professionals, and technology all come together. For six days, attendees learn about the most useful and practical technologies available. Our variety of CLE programming offers a great deal of education in just a short amount of time. This year everyone can attend regardless of your location, registration opening soon!
Lawyer Well-Being Week: Save the Dates, May 3-7, 2021
The Law Practice Division will once again be putting on a week of webinars in support of Lawyer Well-Being week. Our programs align with Mental Health Awareness Month in the month of May. Lawyer Well-Being has never been more important so please save the dates and help spread the word!
About the Author
Traci Ray is the executive director at Barran Liebman LLP and is the Chair of the Law Practice Division.