QuickLINK #145

NEW: Free Tech Helpline for Solos and Small Firms

The Florida Bar has announced the launch of a test program—The Florida Bar Tech Support Helpline—to assist solo and small firm lawyers with technology issues and assistance. You may have read about it in the Bar News. The three-month beta initiative is an experiment to see if solo and small firm lawyers could benefit from a non-emergency IT helpline. It runs through May 15.

Remote computer, software and related tech support from LawTech Partners is available via phone, live chat, email or virtual appointment. The service could eventually be added to the Bar’s Member Benefits program and is intended to serve solo and small-firm lawyers who typically can’t afford full-time IT departments or managers.

Section Partnership With LAWCLERK

Solo & Small Firm Section members now can earn rebates when they hire freelance attorneys through LAWCLERK—and the section will receive a share of the revenue for each member who signs up and uses an account. Sign up as a freelancer or create a hiring attorney account to connect with talented attorney freelancers from the section. The exclusive rebate and referral code is FLSSF-MEMBER. Get details.

LAWCLERK is where attorneys go to hire freelance lawyers. The company has built a nationwide network of over 3,400 freelance lawyers—called Lawclerks—who can help busy attorneys with research, any sort of written document, discovery, or other project-based written work. Don’t miss the March 11 webinar to learn how you can get started. REGISTER

March 22 Deadline: Vote for Florida Bar President-Elect

Reminder: Balloting is underway in the race for Florida Bar president-elect between candidates Steve Davis and Gary Lesser. Voting also has started for contested Board of Governors and Young Lawyers Division board seats.

Ballots have been mailed and emailed from “flabarhelp@mg.electionservicescorp.com” with instructions on how to cast votes. Your vote matters. The deadline is March 22.

FREE CLE: Practice Tips from Highly Successful Solo & Small Firm Attorneys

Practice Tips from Highly Successful Solo & Small Firm Attorneys: March 24, 12 – 1 PM Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar. Free CLE for Solo & Small Firm Section members.* Presented by Teresa Byrd Morgan, Morgan Law Center of Lake City; John Maceluch, Jr., Maceluch Law Firm of Panama City; and Sean Desmond, Desmond Law, PLLC of Tallahassee. This trio of thriving solo and small firm attorneys will share tips that have helped them to succeed in their practices. Topics will cover Team Building & Management, Time and Money Management, Client Development, Competency and Considerations for Breaking into New Practice Areas. 1.0 General CLE Credit Pending. *Registration will be approved when section membership is confirmed. REGISTER

Productivity Apps and Hacks for a Smoother 2021

Working remotely takes focus and resolve. Now that you’ve made the transition it’s time to get serious about productivity and efficiency.

Attorney at Work asked several practice-management and technology experts: What’s your favorite productivity app, hack or website to help lawyers and legal professionals master the working-remotely thing this year? Here are their recommendations.

Upcoming CLE for Solos and Small Firms

Time Management Strategies & Life Hacks for the Productive, Professional Lawyer: April 20 @ 12 – 1 PM live GoToWebinar by Melanie Griffin. Time. It is something we all want more of. Yet, no matter how hard we wish, there are only 24 hours in each day. During this virtual webinar, Melanie S. Griffin, Of Counsel Attorney at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP and Senior Advisor, Business-to-Business Relationships of Shumaker Advisors Florida, will help you stretch these 24 hours as far as possible. Together, we will develop a personal strategy that incorporates time management skills and other productive habits to become more effective, efficient, professional and happy lawyers who best serve ourselves, our clients and employers/employees, and the legal profession and justice system as a whole. Course 4278. 1 CLE, all of which may be applied toward Professionalism. Section members register for only $50. REGISTER

Using EQ to Improve Your Life and Practice. April 28, 12 – 1 PM Wednesday Wisdom Zoom webinar (free for Solo & Small Firm Section members)* presented by Rebecca Bandy, Director, The Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism at The Florida Bar. This interactive experience will explore mental health, wellness, and substance abuse issues facing legal professionals, particularly focused on solo and small firms; it will look at ways to minimize distractions and improve self-care; it will define emotional intelligence and its benefits; and it will give examples of mindfulness-based emotional intelligence practices that can be used personally and professionally to improve quality of life.” 1.0 General; 1.0 Professionalism; 1.0 Mental Illness CLE credit and course number pending. REGISTER

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

If you’d like to be featured in the section’s member spotlight series, please contact section communications consultant Lisa Tipton.