QuickLINK #124

In times of financial stress, making ends meet can be difficult. But there’s often more than one way to uncover cash when you need it.

Financial advice from Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Senior Vice President, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 

Having to come up with money quickly (when you hadn’t planned to) can be unsettling. But you may have more options than you think. In this article, Schwab-Pomerantz discusses the pros and cons of withdrawing money from your checking, savings and money market accounts; brokerage accounts; and retirement accounts. Make sure to look at all of them and consider how your choice could affect other areas of your financial plan. If you’re strategic and careful, you’ll have the best chance to get through your crunch unharmed. LEARN HOW

COVID-19 Impacts: Sage and Sensible Advice for Small Law Practices

Tired of getting email blasts about how to best work remotely? From the solo or small firm law practice perspective, there’s much more to the COVID-19 situation than remote work. This article breaks down possible effects on your clients, marketing, practice areas (some will thrive; some won’t) and overall impact on the legal profession. READ IT

Merging Law Firms and Promoting Associates to Partners: How to Handle the Legal Structure of Law Firm Ownership

April 21, 12-1 PM live audio webcast by Laurie Lee of The Legal Department for Service Professionals, P.A. in Jacksonville. Many solo practitioners and small firms run into particular issues when looking to expand. Some expand by merging practices with another lawyer or firm and some expand by promoting associates to partners.  In both scenarios, there are business concerns that need to be understood and addressed that will be discussed during this program. Course number 3413. 1.0 CLE credit. Section members register for only $55. REGISTER NOW

Join the section’s members-only Facebook group to network with colleagues around the state.

One of the most difficult things about working remotely is trying to stay connected. Let the Solo & Small Firm Section’s Facebook group be a resource for you. Find co-counsel, refer a case or ask for recommendations. It’s free. Our Wednesday Wisdom series is live on Facebook each month and the library of past videos is available 24/7 through the Facebook group for free, on-demand CLE. Join today to network with your colleagues from the section. JOIN NOW

Florida’s Newly Enacted Remote Online Notarization (RON)

April 22, 12-1 PM Wednesday Wisdom free Zoom webinar for section members.* Presented by Michelle Garcia Gilbert of  Gilbert Garcia Group P.A. Learn what solo and small firm attorneys need to know about Florida’s newly enacted Remote Online Notarization law (effective January 1, 2020), and how it can impact their practices. 1.0 CLE. Course number TBA. *Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER NOW

The Wednesday Wisdom free CLE series is a benefit of membership in the Solo & Small Firm Section. Please be sure to renew your section membership when you pay your Florida Bar annual fees online, starting April 20.

Florida Bar COVID-19 Resources and News

The Florida Bar COVID-19 web page is regularly updated with coronavirus information and resources for the Florida legal community.

The Florida Bar is working diligently to implement work and schedule changes to keep its staff safe and ensure essential functions are carried out on behalf of Bar members. Tallahassee headquarters and branch offices closed Thursday, March 19. Certain Bar staff will be working remotely and essential functions will be continuing.

Deadlines for Florida Bar members scheduled to report three-year-cycle CLE for February, March, April and May have been extended to Aug. 31, 2020. Orders for CDs, DVDs and printed seminar course books will not be filled or shipped during the time The Florida Bar is closed.

• Online and downloadable CLE programming is available 24/7 from The Florida Bar at tfb.inreachce.com.
• Use this link to access programming for solos and small firms.
• Free CLE is available 24/7 in the Solo & Small Firm Section’s members-only Facebook group.
  

Florida Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co. has created a free COVID-19 risk management checklist and cybersecurity risk advisory for Florida Lawyers.

When Things Fall Apart, Train Your Brain to Self-Regulate

No one can adequately prepare for massive uncertainties. In times of crisis, the most elemental human response has always been panic and fear. In times of chaos, people who have naturally strong self-regulation skills or resilience handle unpredictability well, but for millions of people who don’t, things can feel out of control. The good news is, you can train your brain to self-regulate, adapt, and build an “antifragile” life to prepare and thrive even in the face of panic and uncertainty.