QuickLINK #119

Think your firm ‘doesn’t need’ a digital marketing strategy? Read this

A recent report shows that 59 percent of consumers who are searching for an attorney use a referral from someone they know, 57 percent search completely on their own and 16 percent do both. So, if your practice relies only on referrals as a growth strategy, you essentially are missing out on half of the consumers who are looking for legal services. Further, when asked what they do next after identifying a lawyer (or being referred to one), an overwhelming majority of consumers said they research online before they call the lawyer. To keep referrals flowing, it’s imperative that you take steps to control and influence the information potential clients find when they search your firm name or your name. You also must make sure you have a process in place for clients to leave you a good review based on key things consumers care about when it comes to service from law firms. LEARN HOW

Best Practices Under Florida Bar Rules for Sharing Fees Among Different Law Firms

FREE CLE: TrustBooks for Solo and Small Firms

Feb 26, 12–1 PM. Wednesday Wisdom free CLE. “TrustBooks for Solo and Small Firms” is a live Zoom webcast, free of charge to members of the Solo & Small Firm Section. Renée E. Thompson of Upchurch Watson White & Max will moderate a discussion about TrustBooks, a new Florida Bar member benefit. Course number TBA. 1.0 CLE credit. Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

Tech Tip: How to block ad tracking on iPhone

From The Florida Bar and LawTech Partners: Apple provides ads in the App Store and Apple News that are based on information such as your App Store search history and Apple News reading history. If you want to opt out of these interest-based ads, you can choose to turn on the Limit Ad Tracking setting on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV or you can also turn off Apple’s location-based ads on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Limit ad tracking:

• Go to Settings > Privacy > Advertising and turn on Limit Ad Tracking.
• On your Apple TV Go to Settings > General > Privacy. Turn on Limit Ad Tracking.

Turn off location-based ads:

• Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services.
• Turn off Location-Based Apple Ads.

Save the Date for Upcoming CLEs

March 17, 12-1 PM. “Work, Interrupted” is a live audio webcast on how to identify and deal with the constant flow of interruptions in your practice. Presented by Steve Riley of Atticus. 1.0 CLE. Section members $55; non-section members $100. Course number 3412. REGISTER

March 25, 12-1 PM Wednesday Wisdom Free CLE. “Do Law Firms Need Those? Creating an Employee Handbook in the Legal Industry” is a live Zoom webinar on creating a workable employee handbook that will identify the must-have policies along with the potential landmines that various statutory schemes create. Presented by Chris Johnson and Colby Ellis of Johnson Jackson PLLC. Registration will be approved when Solo & Small Firm Section membership is confirmed. 1.0 CLE. Course number TBA. REGISTER

April 21, 12-1 PM. “Merging Law Firms and Promoting Associates to Partners: How to Handle the Legal Structure of Law Firm Ownership” is a live audio webcast on business concerns related to law firm expansion. Presented by Laurie Lee of The Legal Department for Service Professionals, P.A. in Jacksonville. Course number 3413. 1.0 CLE credit. REGISTER

April 22, 12-1 PM. Wednesday Wisdom FREE CLE. “Florida’s Newly Enacted Remote Online Notarization (RON)” is a live Zoom webinar on what solo and small firm attorneys need to know about how this new law (effective January 1, 2020) can impact their practices. Presented by Michelle Garcia Gilbert of Gilbert Garcia Group P.A. 1.0 CLE. Course number TBA. Registration will be approved when Solo & Small Firm Section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

2020 Solo & Small Firm Conference LIVE and WEBCAST

Register online NOW for the Solo & Small Firm Section’s 2020 CLE conference! “SOS: Secure. Optimize. Systemize.” is an all-new CLE event on survive-and-thrive strategies for solos and small firms. Ths very special CLE event takes place on Friday, Feb. 7 during The Florida Bar Winter Meeting in Orlando. Program chairs Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy and Cristina Alonso have put together an excellent lineup of sessions and an all-star list of speakers. Check out the course schedule below.

Approved for 7.0 General, 1.0 Ethics, 1.0 Mental Illness, and 2.0 Technology CLE credits. Solo & Small Firm Section member discounted registration is only $245 for the in-person live event and $295 for the webcast. Don’t miss this all-new CLE event that showcases best practices for solos and small firms!

Scholarships for YLD Members. The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division is the conference Education Partner and is offering 10 scholarships for YLD members. Interested? Send a resume and brief essay about your experience as a solo or small-firm lawyer to rlibbert@floridabar.org with a “Conference Scholarship” subject line. Special consideration will be given to YLD applicants who also are members of the Solo & Small Firm Section.

Sessions and Speakers
Friday, Feb. 7—8:45 AM to 4:50 PM

Secure the Hatches. Cybersecurity and Privacy for Lawyers

• Al Saikali, Miami
• Valerie Barnhart, Davie
• Bryan Barnhart, GCFA, GPEN, ACE, Davie

Know the Ropes. Bar Resources, Mentoring and Member Benefits

• Liz McCausland, Orlando
• Lynn Whitfield, West Palm Beach
• Renee Thompson, Ocala

Lighten the Load. Automation, Integration and Paperless Strategies

• Jennifer Kuyrkendall Griffin, Live Oak
• Liz McCausland, Orlando
• Felicia Mickens Williams, Tampa

All Hands on Deck. Creating and Managing a Successful Virtual Law Firm

• Mindi Wells, Columbus, OH
• Priscilla Horn Warren, CP, FRP, Vero Beach
• Chelsie M. Lamie, Clearwater

Bridge the Gap. Generating Outside Income and Revenue Streams

• Mindi Wells, Columbus, OH
• John Schaefer, Safety Harbor
• Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy, Tampa

Stay the Course. Surviving Solo While Sick

• Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy, Tampa
• Mandi Clay, Tampa

Toe the Line. Ethics and Social Media

• Leisa M. Wintz, Plantation
• Joanna Garcia Parkin, St. Petersburg
• Lanse Scriven, Tampa

Interested in sponsorship? View more conference details and download the sponsor brochure. We welcome your participation!

Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Bank OZK; our Education Partner, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division; and to these companies and law firms for their support.

Bank OZK’s Professionals Practice Group (PPG) provides unparalleled service and financial expertise to our legal community. Contact Debra Tyler at debra.tyler@ozk.com to discover how we can customize banking solutions to help your firm thrive, not just survive.

Members-Only Facebook Group

Join our Facebook group and have 24/7 access to our growing library of Wednesday Wisdom webinars for FREE CLE CREDIT! Find co-counsel, refer a case and share your news. It’s free. Join today to network with your colleagues from the section.