Recently in CLE & Events Category

It's nearly that time of year again: continuing legal education (CLE) credits are due soon. The deadline to submit your CLE compliance may be coming up depending on your jurisdiction. This leaves many attorneys wondering where to find CLE courses.

First off, make a decision. Do you want to do online CLE courses or traditional in-person events? The former is probably easier to fit into your schedule. The latter will likely draw out more of your undivided attention.

Below are some simple tips you can use to find CLE courses to fit your needs:

Are you ready to do away with billable hours?

Some are calling for attorneys to stop billing altogether and opt for "value billing."

Value billing is being looked at very carefully, as the economy drives law firms to consider changing the way they charge clients, according to an ABA discussion Atlanta, reports ABANow.com.

Perhaps more important than ever in harsh economic times is the pro bono work legal professionals are committed to performing. Beginning October 21, the ABA will help law firms, bar associations and legal groups everywhere recognize Celebrate Pro Bono Week. From October 24 to October 30, the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service will sponsor recognition of the work done to benefit the poor and underserved in our communities.

Pro bono work of course refers to legal services performed free of charge to benefit those in need. Pro bono work can be done on behalf of indigent clients needing representation, or even the cash- strapped family breadwinner out of work and facing foreclosure. According to ABA President Stephen N. Zack, pro bono work is a fundamental part of the practice of law. The ABA has set an "aspirational goal" for each of its practicing members to perform 50 hours of pro bono work a year.

Things just ain't what they used to be when it comes to earning those CLE credits. Remember the days of having to sit in some over-air conditioned conference room with a bunch of other lawyers as mad as you at giving up billable time to earn credits? Well, if those days aren't exactly gone, the times they are a-changin'. Below are a few less painful ways to get part of your required ethics CLE under your belt.

First, a few webinars soon will be broadcast. You can remain at your own desk, with your own chair, adjusted just the way you like it, and take in three important webcasts on topical ethics issues.

On July 21, a timely webinar will be broadcast by the American Bar Association. Courtesy of the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, experts in mass torts, government, the insurance industry and environmental law will discuss the legal ramifications of what has been called the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history: the BP oil spill.

The webcast, entitled "Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: The Legal Fallout," will take place on July 21 at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., (CT), or beginning at 12:00 p.m. noon (EST). The experts will address the legal framework of the spill, clean-up and resulting litigation, including: the Oil Pollution Act and the application of other laws; the role of the federal and state governments in regulating oil drilling and coordinating responses; the claims process; disaster response; insurance liability; pending and potential litigation, including civil remedies and economic damages; and insurance coverage and exclusions.

During the annual meeting of The American Bar Association in San Francisco on August 9, the ABA will announce the recipients of this year's 2010 Pro Bono Publico Awards. Each year, the ABA recognizes the outstanding contributions made by some of its members to volunteer legal services. Pro bono work is one of the duties and privileges of the practice of law.

The 2010 awards will be given to three individuals and two law firms by ABA resident Carolyn B. Lamm. Speaking about the recipients of this year's awards, President Lamm said, "The pro bono work that these individuals and firms contribute to their communities without charge demonstrates how the legal profession delivers on the promise of equal justice for all."

Learning some new and effective ideas for online legal marketing can be as easy as logging on. On June 15, a free webcast will be presented by Florida attorney Howard Weitzner, from the Miami firm of Greenberg & Stone, and FindLaw Senior Account Manager Stefani Link, who will speak about law firm marketing and how attorneys can use the power of the Internet to connect with new clients.

David Klasing, owner of Tax Law Office of David W. Klasing, and Sally Janavicius, Senior Client Development with FindLaw, will co-host an upcoming webcast for attorneys titled "The Basics of Marketing Your Firm Online."

The free webcast, held Thursday, Jan. 14th, 2009, at 9 a.m. PST and 1 p.m. PST, will discuss how the Internet has transformed law firm marketing and provide strategies lawyers can use to connect with more clients online.

Register here (http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=183307&s=1&k=B4ABAF56021C10844C3C78660C2A6BB8) for the 12PM EST/11AM CST/ 10AM MST/ 9AM PST time slot.

Register here (http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=183310&s=1&k=6D95EA3D5D214F549A3B840D5E5E625E) for the 4PM EST/3PM CST/ 2PM MST/ 1PM PST time slot.

Online marketing is an increasingly key client-development tool for law firms. Three out of four Americans now use the Internet regularly. According to a 2008 Marketwire study, Search engines, like Google and Yahoo, have pulled ahead of printed yellow pages as the leading source for local business information.

The webcast will examine how consumers search for attorneys online, evaluate the marketing options available to law firms and indentify the critical components of a winning Internet strategy.

Looking for more and better qualified clients than your current client development strategy is producing? Search engines like Google and Yahoo! have pulled ahead of the printed Yellow Pages as the leading source for local business information. Three out of four Americans now use the Internet on a regular basis. Join a free webcast next Thursday, November 12, to learn how your firm can create an effective Web presence.

The one-hour webcast will show you how to develop your firm's Web site into a valuable marketing tool that will drive more well qualified clients to your firm. Topics to be covered include:

• How consumers are searching for legal help on the Internet
• How to identify and leverage critical components of a Web site
• An evaluation of the different marketing options available and their return on investment

Two highly qualified speakers will provide their insights and practical examples on how to maximize your firm's marketing efforts:

• Caroline Curry Lewis of The Brad Hendricks Law Firm in Little Rock, AR
• Kevin McDugle, a FindLaw Senior Client Development Consultant in Tulsa, OK

"The Basics of Marketing Your Firm Online" is a FREE one-hour webcast and will take place on Thursday, November 12, 2009.

It will be accessible from any computer with internet access.

Register here for the 12PM EST/11AM CST/ 10AM MST/ 9AM PST time slot.
Register here for the 4PM EST/3PM CST/ 2PM MST/ 1PM PST time slot.

• Best practices for creating a powerful law firm brand and differentiating your firm from the competition
• Finding highly qualified clients that match your firm's specialty
• Options for leveraging the latest trends in search engine optimization
• Print directories and the shift to online search

• FREE one-hour webcast
• Accessible from any computer with internet access
• Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Register here for the 11AM CDT time slot

Register here for the 3PM CDT time slot