"Avoid A Claim" Blog

Now that spring is in the air, its time again for the LSUC/OBA Solo & Small Firm Conference & Expo.

This conference brings together the best presenters on technology and practice management issues and it is a great chance for small firm lawyers to get together, network, and get practical advice from other lawyers who face the same issues and challenges. Presentations this year touch on topics such as disaster & succession planning, HR and staffing issues; running a virtual law office, social media and networking; running a paperless office and technologies you should be using in your office. And that’s just to list a few. The full Conference schedule and list of presentations can be found in the program flyer. Lawyers can also visit the Exhibitors Hall, which will feature products and services from a wide variety of companies.

I am pleased to be co-chairing the conference for the fifth time, along with Donna Neff. I will also be a presenter. My sessions include the always popular 60 tips in 60 minutes opening plenary; one on time and email management, and one on Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint tips and tricks.

This is a conference organized by and for solo and small firm lawyers and it gets better every year. If you haven’t been before, make a point of attending this year. You’ll come away with new ideas and new contacts and you’ll have a great time as well! You can also attend via the web as several of the sessions will be webcast and others will be available for viewing across the web afterwards. I hope to see you there.

The tough economic times have made it more likely that lawyers will be faced with the challenge of trying to collect on accounts or defend them. From LAWPRO’s experience, a malpractice claim is a very frequent response to a suit for fees. For this reason, lawyers should tread very carefully when trying to collect fees.

The Ontario Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Section has put together a CLE/webinar to help lawyers better understand how to use assessments as a tool, and to ensure they are fairly compensated for the efforts expended on behalf of their clients.

I like the pro-active nature of this program as it will help lawyers gain insights into how to conduct their practices in order to avoid the need for assessments; and how to best prepare for and conduct assessments to maximize the collection of their fees. Ed Upenieks, from Lawrence, Lawrence, Stevenson LLP is the program speaker.

The program runs Thursday, December 3, 2009 at the OBA Conference Centre (200 – 20 Toronto St., Toronto, Ontario), and is available via webinar as well.

The program agenda is as follows:

• 5:30 pm – Registration and Reception (Cash Bar)
• 6:00 pm Buffet Dinner
• 6:40 pm Program

CBA members and non-members may attend the program.

Go here for more details and to register.