Solo & Small Firm Committee Annual Summer Social
Feel like expanding your network in a relaxed environment?
Thinking of joining the Solo and Small Firm Committee?
Want to catch up with old Solo and Small Firm members?
WE HAVE THE RECIPE FOR YOU!
...and hopefully you’ll have a recipe for us, too!
Join the Solo and Small Firm Committee for a POTLUCK BRUNCH
Sunday, July 26, 2009
10:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Brookline, MA
(T-accessible and on street parking available)
To RSVP, email chiara@goodmanlegal.com by July 17, 2009. In your RSVP you must include which type of food you would like to bring (so that we don’t all bring fruit salad). Chiara will reply by confirming your food choice, and provide you with address/driving directions.
Please feel free to forward this invitation to non-WBA members who might be interested in joining. Because this event will take place at a private residence, an RSVP is required.
Upcoming program - please join us!
If you work at a small firm or as a solo, and especially if you are starting off as a solo, the professional support of your fellow attorneys becomes paramount. Practice questions come up every day, both substantive and administrative. Unlike attorneys who practice in a large firm, there is no bankruptcy partner or tax department to ask about that nagging automatic stay or tax question, or to consult when drafting a settlement agreement. In a small firm, attorneys need to look outside their own firm for that support.
The Solo and Small Firm Committee understands how crucial peer to peer support is for the solo and small firm practitioner. To fill the void, the Committee has developed a network of solo and small firm practitioners who, through the Committee's online community forum on Her, Esq., provide advice on substantive areas of law, client management, office administration, and other questions. The committee listserv is also used to notify members of upcoming events and opportunities.
The Committee sponsors events each year to educate its members on managing their practice as well as on substantive legal topics. The Committee also holds a summer social and also holds SocialPlus meetings: gatherings throughout the year that combine a specific purpose to the meeting with a social and networking component.
The chairs of the committee invite you to join and participate in all of the Committee activities!
Past programs
Some recent programs include:
Taking the Solo Leap (March 23, 2009)
Shannon Frisson, Esq. of Boston, Amy E. Goganian, Esq. of Wellesley, and Audrey M. Heidt, Esq. of Waltham discussed how they made the decision to go solo. Each panelist had a different background, chose to go solo at a different point in her career, and came to that decision through a different path and set of priorities. The discussion demystified the decision-making process of going solo, whether doing so straight out of law school or after having made partner.
Is Opting Out the Only Option? (March 3, 2008)
Lauren Stiller Rikleen, of Bowditch & Dewey and Executive Director of the Bowditch Institute for Women’s Success, Nina E. Kallen, attorney in solo practice, and Amy Baker Mandragouras of Lahive & Cockfield, LLP led the discussion on the institutional impediments to women's success in larger firms, whether those obstacles are truly overcome by moving to a smaller firm, and how the work-life balance trend towards gender neutrality will affect the future of the legal profession.
Woman's Guide to Growing Her Practice and Protecting Her Income (March 27, 2007)
Alvah Parker of Parker Associates discussed networking strategies and how to increase our referrals. Claire Peterson of Primerica discussed the elements of how to plan for retirement, our next career or business expansion by implementing personal finance strategies such as building a cash reserve, saving and paying down debt.
First Aid for Professional Malpractice (March 1, 2007)
Edward S. Cheng, Esquire and Katy E. Koski, Esquire of Sherin and Lodgen, LLP and Jack Kukowski of USI Bertholon-Rowland gave a hands-on presentation on how to stay out of trouble and how to handle insurance claims if a claim is made (or may be made) against you. The presentation provided tips on avoiding claims, statistics on errors most likely to lead to claims, notification requirements of potentials claims under the professional liability insurance agreement, and tips on choosing professional liability coverage.
And Baby Makes .... Maternity Leave! (November 2, 2005)
Rebecca Pontikes, Deborah DosSantos and Judy Polacheck discussed how to plan for and negotiate for maternity leave, especially where your employer is too small for you to qualify for Family Medical Leave Act protection. The panel discussed the laws that apply to maternity leave, and also dispensed more practical advice on how to approach an employer with news of your pregnancy.
Committee Resources
Listserv
Members can communicate with other committee members by sending an email to the entire Committee membership.
Online Community Forum
Committee members can post events, questions, or articles for the Committee in an area of Her, Esq. reserved for Committee communications.
Committee Roster
Spreadsheet with committee members' names, addresses, email addresses and practice areas. This provides a directory used for networking, mentoring and referrals by the Committee members.