Solo and Small Firm Section

News from the Section

Message from the Chair from the May 2013 Big eNewsletter
Outreach
Up to Date - Court Budget Cuts Cause Reassignments & Rule Changes
Recent Online Programs from the Solo and Small Firm Section for Participatory CLE Credit
In Person
CLE Toolbox - Free CLE for Section Members, Free Membership to Non-Members
The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office
Lawyer to Lawyer Network: Mentoring from the Section
Save Money with CEB: Discounts for Section Members
Solo and Small Firm Section Member Discounts

Message from the Chair

My term is half way over and I am pleased to report on the Section's progress this year. Communication via this eNewsletter has been well received. Our Outreach programs are garnering a fabulous reputation and we are scheduling them as fast as we can. The Solo Summit is around the corner and members may find many offerings there to balance out their education needs. We are planning for the remainder of our fiscal year and looking forward to a successful annual meeting in San Jose in October. Hope to see you soon!

To contact me, simply email symonslaw@symonslaw.com.

Outreach
The Solo and Small Firm Section is ready to bring programs to you!

A. Programs currently scheduled:

San Joaquin County Bar - May 23, 2013 at noon
Program: How to Offer Big Firm Services on A solo or Small Firm Budget;

Humboldt County Bar - June 7, 2013 or September 6, 2013 (choice to be announced)
Program: Dealing with the Difficult Client in Family Law and Criminal Matters;

San Bernardino Bar - July/August (date to be announced);

San Luis Obispo Bar - coming this fall (watch here for date).

B. Request a Program

If you are having trouble finding ways to meet your MCLE requirements because programs are not offered in your local area, then let us know!

The Solo and Small Firm Section has an extensive program library. A representative from our Section can come out to your local bar association and give a program which will count toward your live program requirement hours.

Contact your local bar and have them request a program from us!
Or email me directly. I hope to hear from you or your local bar association representative.

Sincerely,
Nancy B. Goldstein, Outreach Committee Chair
Solo & Small Firm Section
nancy@gr8calilawyer.com

Up to Date - Court Budget Cuts Cause Reassignments & Rule Changes

A.Kern County

http://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/pdf/announcement/PublicNoticeApril2013.pdf

B. Los Angeles

C. Riverside

March 20, 2013: Additional Proposed New and Amended Local Rules and Forms-Public Comments Sought, to be effective July 1, 2013. Comments should be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2013, so that they can be considered as part of the adoption process. Rules may be viewed on the court's website at www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/localrules/localrules.shtml

D. San Bernardino

March 27, 2013: Proposed Local Rules (Effective July 1, 2013)
Comments concerning the proposed local rules may be directed to Debra Meyers, Deputy Court Executive Officer/General Counsel, dmeyers@sb-court.org. All comments must be received by April 27, 2013.

E. San Diego

GENERAL ORDER OF THE PRESIDING DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 010313
IN RE PROCEDURES REGARDING ELECTRONIC FILING
http://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/SDCOURT/GENERALINFORMATION/
NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/1-7-13%2C%20NOTICE%20TO%20ATTORNEYS%2C%20
GEN%20ORD%20OF%20PRESIDING%2C%20PROCEDURES%20RE%20ELECTRONIC
%20FILING.PDF
Recent Online Programs from the Solo and Small Firm Section for Participatory CLE Credit

Webinar Some of the programs in our recent series are now in our selection of Solo and Small Firm Section programs in the online catalog. The online catalog is a great resource for getting participatory CLE credit in the area you need, when you need it.

Skill Builder Webinars: Series II

Skill Builder graphic Find out what they didn't teach you in law school. The Solo and Small Firm Section has developed a series of webinars with new lawyers in mind (but anyone will benefit from these great programs). Whether you are hanging out your own shingle or working in a firm, learn tips and techniques that will help you tackle your next project and bring more value to your clients.

These programs are available in our online catalog.

Your Client's Deposition: Preparation Tips and Strategies
Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
1 Total Participatory MCLE Credits (No Ethics)
All litigators know that the client deposition is key events of the case. This webinar will discuss methods to develop confident and knowledgeable clients and attorneys who will be able to competently perform in deposition.
Speakers: Teresa McQueen, Pedersen Law & Dispute Resolution; Neil Pedersen, Pedersen Law & Dispute Resolution Corp.
Online CLE / Podcast

Attorney Communication and the 1st Amendment
Originally presented Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
1 Total Participatory MCLE Credits, all of which may be applied toward Ethics
Explores the overlap between the Rules of Professional Conduct and the First Amendment freedoms for the attorneys.
Speaker: B. Austin Baillio, Associate, Marcin Lambirth, LLP
Online CLE / Podcast

Mediation Strategies
Originally presented Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
1 Total Participatory MCLE Credits (No Ethics)
This course will take you through the steps that lead to a successful mediation: deciding whether and when to mediate, selecting a mediator, preparing your client and your case, and what to expect during mediation.
Speaker: Steven Mehta, Mediation Offices of Steven G. Mehta
Online CLE / Podcast

Judgment Debtor Exams
Originally presented Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
1 Total Participatory MCLE Credits (No Ethics)
How-to-Guide to Uncovering Assets
Speakers: Price K. Kent, Marcin Lambirth, LLP; John R. Greenwall, Marcin Lambirth, LLP
Online CLE / Podcast

Presentation Skills in the Courtroom
Originally presented Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
1 Total Participatory MCLE Credits (No Ethics)
Learn effective skills for presenting your client’s case at each step in the litigation process, from law and motion to trial. Learn what judges, mediators, and juries want and need to hear from you, whether you are arguing points of law or presenting the story of the case.
Speakers: Steve Mehta, Mediation Offices of Steven G. Mehta; Patricia McCabe
Online CLE / Podcast

Bias in the Legal Profession
Originally presented Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
1 Total Participatory MCLE Credits, 1 of which may be applied toward Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession (No Ethics)
This webinar covers the basics of discrimination/harassment law focusing on spotting and avoiding such issues in the legal profession, complete with vignettes, cases, and time for questions.
Speaker: Beth K. Whittenbury, Beth K. Whittenbury and Associates
Online CLE / Podcast

Drafting Savvy Arbitration Clauses
Originally presented Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
1 Total Participatory MCLE Credits (No Ethics)
Assessing the options and considerations when drafting arbitration clauses and agreements.
Speakers: Lisa Miller, Miller Consulting; John Marcin, Marcin Lambirth, LLP
Online CLE / Podcast

From First Amendment to Facebook and Beyond: Social Media and the Employment Relationship
Originally presented Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
1 Total Participatory MCLE Credits (No Ethics)
The developing jurisprudence in the area of employee discipline for social media activity.
Speaker: Lisa Miller, Miller Consulting
Online CLE / Podcast

Past Programs Currently Available:

Contract Drafting Techniques
In law school you learned the basic principles of contract law, but not how to draft a contract. Learn tips and techniques that will help you write and negotiate a better contract for your client, and hear about some common pitfalls to avoid. With speakers Marilyn Monahan and Richard McDerby.
Online CLE / Podcast

Attorney-Client Fee Disputes: Getting the Best Results
You performed the work, and you want to get paid. Learn how to get the best results before, during and after the mandatory fee arbitration process. This course will discuss the details of the arbitration process, including when notice must be given, how to prepare for the arbitration, and the effect of the award. With speaker Myer J. Sankary.
Online CLE / Podcast

What Did He Just Say? Reinforcing Your Hearsay Rule Skills
Explores the developing law applying traditional First Amendment and other protections to employee conduct on social media, including litigation considerations. With speakers Lisa Miller and Price Kent.
Online Program / Podcast

Cross-Examination: How to Start, How to Proceed, How to Finish (Big!)
Many newer attorneys don`t know how to get started developing cross-examination questions for trial, and then might not be confident about where to take the examination. This seminar offers practical advice and guidance.With speaker Lisa Miller.
Online Porgram / Podcast

Starting Up a Law Practice – Incorporation vs. Sole Proprietorship
One of the first issues lawyers have to decide when starting up a solo practice is under what legal entity they want to practice – sole proprietorship or corporation. Find out how this decision can affect your personal liability, taxes, and even retirement. With speaker Shirish Gupta.
Online CLE / Podcast

In Person

Awards

Myer J. Sankary Lawyer of the Year Award

Nominations for the 2013 Myer J. Sankary Attorney of the Year Award are now being accepted. This award is presented to an individual who has exercised notable leadership or shown a contribution to the development of greater justice in a field of law. The award is presented annually, at the State Bar Annual Meeting, to an individual who is a sole practitioner or a member of a small firm and who has demonstrated years of faithful service and leadership to the community or his or her fellow attorneys.

Programs

Solo Summit
The State Bar of California
California Solo & Small Firm Summit
June 20-22, 2013
Renaissance Long Beach Hotel

Geared for the Solo and Small Firm Practitioner, the summit provides opportunities for networking, catching up on legal and management skills, and finding out about the latest in technology. All while earning up to 10 hours of MCLE credit.

Our Section programs:
Program #4: Leveraging Technology to Win in Court
Program #9: ADA and Accessibility Risk Management for Law Firms
Program #15: Your client’s deposition: Preparation Tips & Strategies
Program #20: ObamaCare and Labor and Employment Law
Program #31: Social Media’s Impact in Employment Litigation and the Workplace

Annual Meeting
The State Bar of California 86th Annual Meeting
October 10-13, 2013
San Jose, California
Watch for our many program offerings!

CLE Toolbox

New Benefit: Free Section Membership for Non-Solo and Small Firm Section Members.
Note: If you are currently a member of the Solo and Small Firm Section, you can still take advantage of this special offer by accessing the FREE self-study CLE in our Members Only Area.

If you are not currently a Solo and Small Firm Section Member, you can take advantage of this special offer by ordering the Solo and Small Firm Section’s CLE Toolbox by contacting Travis Gall. You’ll receive more than 6 Hours of Self-Study CLE Credit including:

Legal Ethics
Elimination of Bias
Substance Abuse

You’ll also receive a membership to the Solo and Small Firm Section valid for the current section year.

Are you already a Solo and Small Firm Section Member? Members of the Solo and Small Firm Section can download the 6 hours of FREE self-study credit by visiting the Solo and Small Firm Section’s Members Only Area. There is no charge to our valued members and you do NOT need to purchase this CD.

The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office

The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office, newly written and published by the State Bar of California, is now available for purchase online. As a sole practitioner or the head of a small firm, you must act as so much more than just CEO; you also must also wear the hats of Chief Financial Officer, Human Resources Director, Chief Technology Officer, and more. This is the guide, created by experts, to help you with all the roles you must undertake and tasks you must accomplish to make your practice flourish. See the Sections Bookstore for more details.

Lawyer to Lawyer Network

As a member of the Solo and Small Firm Section of the State Bar of California you will be able to access the Lawyer to Lawyer Network through the members only page.

This directory is designed as a source for our members who have questions relating to specific areas of law as well as the everyday issues of running a solo or small firm. This directory provides networking, mentoring, education and referrals. Members who hold themselves out as qualified will be listed by category and county.

Members agree to only list themselves in areas in which they have significant experience. The Solo and Small Firm Section has not verified the qualifications of the attorneys listed.

This directory is a courtesy to our members and the listed attorneys agree to accept phone calls and answer emails that do not require extensive research or time commitments (in excess of fifteen minutes). Listed attorneys are encouraged to mentor young attorneys in their counties or practice areas in order to improve the quality of legal services offered to the public. This directory provides a unique opportunity for members to network and develop relationships throughout the state.

The Solo and Small Firm Section of the State Bar of California has compiled this list as a source to its members. This list is based on information supplied by the members and has not been reviewed, investigated, or evaluated the authenticity, accuracy, or completeness of the information received. The Solo and Small Firm Section makes no representation as to the qualifications or competence of those listed and does not recommend or endorse the services of those listed. To access the list, sign into your State Bar Profile and go to the Solo and Small Firm Section's Members Only Area.

Solo and Small Firm Section Member Discounts

Save Money with CEB

CEB Discount Program for Section Members Continuing Education of the Bar, California (CEB) is extending some special discount offers to our section. As a member of the Solo and Small Firm Section, you're eligible for:

10% off selected CEB print or online books
A rebate on your section dues that can be applied to the cost of a CEB Gold CLE Passport or a CLE program ticket

A complete list of the products eligible for a discount is available on a CEB web page accessible through our Members Only Area. Information about the section dues rebate program can be found on the CEB Web site.

Contact Us

Solo and Small Firm Section
The State Bar of California
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1639
415-538-2350
FAX 415-538-2368

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