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Ethics, Professionalism and Technology CLE Credit. Don’t Miss It!

The Solo & Small Firm Section’s annual Ethics & Professionalism Update is Friday, Oct. 28, and the presenters are some of the best in their fields. Section members register for only $250. Earn 5 General CLE credits, 3 of which may be applied toward Ethics; 1 Professionalism and 1 Technology credit. October 28 Live GoToWebinar; registrants have 90-day, on-demand access. REGISTER

8:00 AM – 8:10 AM
Welcome
John Maceluch
Stephanie Cagnet Myron

8:10 AM – 9:00 AM
Maintain Heading: Ethical Impacts of Recent Lawyer Advertising Decisions, Opinions, and Rule Changes
Jonathan Grabb, Director, Ethics & Advertising Department of The Florida Bar

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
Secure Your Mooring: Effective Strategies to Boost Technology and Maintain Security
John Stewart, Melbourne

9:50 AM – 10:05 AM
Break

10:05 AM – 10:55 AM
Stay Aboveboard: Compliance Requirements Resulting From Recent Rule Changes and Ethics Opinions
Tim Chinaris, Nashville, TN

10:55 AM – 11:45 AM
Retain Your Bearing: Ethical and Professional Obligations of Practicing Virtually and in the Courtroom
Moderator: John Maceluch, Panama City
Panelists:  
Judge Jessica Goodwin Costello, Tampa
Judge Keith Meyer, Clearwater
Judge William Dyer, Panama City

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness for those issues.

For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) now.

Anyone can be an abuser. They come from all groups, all cultures, all religions, all economic levels, and all backgrounds. They can be your neighbor, your pastor, your friend, your child’s teacher, a relative, a coworker—anyone. It is important to note that the majority of abusers are only violent with their current or past intimate partners. One study found 90% of abusers do not have criminal records and abusers are generally law-abiding outside the home.

What Traits Do Abusers Have in Common?

There is no one typical, detectable personality of an abuser. However, they do often display common characteristics.

  • An abuser often denies the existence or minimizes the seriousness of the violence and its effect on the victim and other family members.
  • An abuser objectifies the victim and often sees them as their property or sexual objects.
  • An abuser has low self-esteem and feels powerless and ineffective in the world. He or she may appear successful, but internally, they feel inadequate.
  • An abuser externalizes the causes of their behavior. They blame their violence on circumstances such as stress, their partner’s behavior, a “bad day,” on alcohol, drugs, or other factors.
  • An abuser may be pleasant and charming between periods of violence and is often seen as a “nice person” to others outside the relationship.
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Understanding the Power of Email Marketing

Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective and powerful marketing tools attorneys have at their disposal, but few firms take the steps to generate and send campaigns. If you are looking to take the next steps in your law firm’s digital marketing plan, you need to understand the power of email marketing.

This article tackles why attorneys should use email marketing, how law firms create email marketing strategies, how to analyze campaigns, and more.

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Upcoming FREE CLE: A Solo & Small Firm Section Member Benefit

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 12–1 PM live on Zoom:  Books Grow Business: Using Technology to Market Your Firm Profitably and Ethically by Peggy Hoyt, Law Offices of Hoyt and Bryan, LLC, Oviedo. Joshua Hertz, moderator. Course number and credit pending approval. REGISTER

The Wednesday Wisdom free CLE series is a benefit of membership in the Solo & Small Firm Section. Please tell a friend!
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The Fascinating Field of Crop Insurance

October 21, 12–1 PM live GoToWebinar by Professor Chad G. Marzen, J.D., Florida State University College of Business. Section members register for only $50.

The federal crop insurance program is a significant one for America’s agricultural producers. This webinar provides a brief overview of contemporary legal issues with crop insurance that some producers and practitioners may encounter. The program will review recent caselaw from courts throughout the United States as well as Final Agency Determinations (FADs) of the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency.

Thank you to our 2022-23 section sponsors.