Considerations for Starting and Expanding a Law Practice 2023

  • OnDemand seminar
  • Law Practice Management
View schedule and faculty
Considerations for Starting and Expanding a Law Practice 2023

Produced by the Solo/Small Firm & General Practice Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin in partnership with State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE®

Let’s get it started

Did the pandemic cause you to reimagine your future? Maybe you’re looking for a new challenge or a different direction. Ever found yourself daydreaming about hanging out your own shingle?

While law school is a great place to learn how to think like a lawyer, it’s not the best place to learn how to start or run a business. But that doesn’t mean you need to give up your dreams of becoming your own boss. Attend Considerations for Starting and Expanding a Law Practice and take in the wisdom (and cautionary tales) of people who were once in your shoes.

You’ll hear advice on how to make preliminary decisions, like choosing an appropriate business entity, drafting an operating agreement, and determining whether to hire staff. Delve into the key components of law firm bookkeeping and learn how to build a solid financial foundation. Be aware of ethical hazards you should avoid and receive an overview of new trust account rule changes effective July 1, 2023. You’ll even find out about exciting new tools like artificial intelligence that can help you save time and money.

8:30 am
: Your Practice, Your Business (CLE)

Kathleen R. Avoles, Erin R. Ogden

  • Why bylaws aren’t an option and how they need to be updated
  • What should be in an operating agreement or a buy/sell agreement
  • Considerations when hiring independent contractors versus employees
9:50 am
: Managing the Finances and Operations of Your Practice (LPM)

Jeffrey S. Krause, J. David Krekeler, Spencer X. Smith

  • Law firm bookkeeping basics
  • Key Reports
    • Time reports
    • Financial reports
  • Improving the Numbers
    • Run the reports
    • Create a solid foundation
    • Next level
10:40 am
: Break
10:55 am
: Creating Trademarks: Identifying and Protecting Goodwill (CLE)

Lindsay Marty, Erin R. Ogden

  • Understand the value and power of goodwill and how that is captured in trademarks
  • Ways that SCR 20:7.1 – SCR 20:7.5 control how a law practice can engage
  • How a practice can ethically and effectively communicate with the public while building value in the business
11:45 am
: Trust Account Errors to Avoid and New Rules, Effective July 1 (CLE/EPR)

Aviva Meridian Kaiser, Christopher C. Shattuck

  • Review common trust account errors involving processing electronic transactions, flat fee payments, advanced costs, and commingling concerns
  • Received an overview of the rule changes that become effective on July 1st
12:35 pm
: Networking Luncheon (Networking in-person only)
1:35 pm
: The Power of Leveraging AI Technology (LPM)

Christopher C. Shattuck

  • Learn about available AI tools
  • How to best utilize emerging technologies that will enable you to save time
2:25 pm
: Anatomy of a Legal Malpractice Policy (CLE/EPR)

Matthew M. Beier

    • Basics of a legal malpractice policy including the following definitions:
      • Claims-made-and-reported policy
      • Wrongful act
      • All prior acts coverage
      • Tail coverage
      • Burning limits
      • Potential claim
      • Grievances
      • And more
    • Common Rules of Professional Conduct that may lead to claims and grievances such as Supreme Court Rules 20:1.1, 20:1.7, and 20:1.4 /
3:15 pm
: Hot Topics and Q & A

All speakers

3:30 pm
: Program Concludes

Webcast replay schedule may vary slightly from live program..

Program Chair and Presenters

Jennifer Hanna
Eastbridge Law Group, LLP · Madison
Freya Katkowsky
Eastbridge Law Group, LLP · Madison

Presenters

9 total
Kathleen R. Avoles
Willow River Law LLC · Hudson
Matthew M. Beier
Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co. · Madison
Aviva Meridian Kaiser
State Bar of Wisconsin · Madison
Jeffrey Scott Krause
Affinity Consulting Group · Waterford
J. David Krekeler
Krekeler Law, S.C. · Madison
Lindsay Marty
Above the Bar Marketing · Madison
Erin R. Ogden
Ogden Glazer & Schaefer · Madison
Christopher C. Shattuck
State Bar of Wisconsin · Madison
Spencer X. Smith
AmpliPhi Social Media Strategies · Madison

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Find out what it takes to start your own law practice
  • Learn the fundamentals of business operations and financial management
  • Explore strategies for improving your firm’s financial outlook
  • Understand how to capture the value of goodwill in trademarks
  • Ensure compliance with new trust account rules
  • Know what provisions should be included in a legal malpractice policy
  • Members of the Solo/Small Firm & General Practice Section
  • Solo and small firm attorneys
  • General practitioners
  • New attorneys

Solo/Small Firm & General Practice Section members save on tuition to this program!

Members of the Solo/Small Firm & General Practice Section can attend the May 17, 2023 in-person program for just $75 and webcasts of the program for just $125.*

Not a section member? Join today to save on tuition to the in-person or webcast versions of this program and to gain access to additional valuable section resources and benefits.

*The Solo/Small Firm & General Practice Section discount does not apply to the CLE OnDemand™ version of this program.