5th Annual Solo-Small Firm Institute - In-Person
This fall, level up your practice at the 5th Annual Solo-Small Firm Institute. Join us at the CBA-CLE Classroom for insightful sessions on law firm management, including a look into how you can use AI to keep up with larger firms, an in-depth discussion of flat rate pricing for any practice, and an inspirational discussion of career and life transitions. You’ll have ample networking opportunities and leave with many ideas to improve your practice.
CANCELLATIONS: If you are unable to attend, please notify CBA-CLE by September 11, 2023, and we will gladly refund your tuition in full or apply your tuition to the webinar or home study. Cancellations after September 11, 2023, will be refunded less a $150 cancellation fee.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Gold
Lockton Affinity
Silver
Judicial Arbiter Group, Inc.
Bronze
Clio
JAMS
J.S. Cruickshank Business Services, LLC
CBA-CLE will email webinar access information to registrants 24-48 hours before the program.
Home studies will be available approximately 2-3 weeks following the live program.
If disability accommodations or special assistance are needed, please contact us at [email protected]. Requests must be made at least two weeks prior to the scheduled program.
The program will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Colorado. If you need to seek accreditation in another state, please review the process and requirements for that individual state. CBA-CLE staff can provide a Uniform Certificate of Attendance, and it is the attendee’s responsibility to complete the accreditation outside of Colorado.
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
12:00 pm
Registration opens
1:00 -1:05 pm
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Extended by Justie Nicol, Esq., Colorado Lawyer Team, P.C
1:05 - 1:55 pm
A Consumer's View: How Hiring a Lawyer Changed My Practice
Some insights you only gain through experience. In 2022, small firm owner and attorney Mike Drumm needed to hire a family law attorney. He'll discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of his experience as a consumer of legal services, and how it changed the way he runs his firm.
Presented by H. Michael “Mike” Drumm, Esq., Drumm Law LLC and Daniel W. Glasser, Esq., Chipman Glasser LLC
1:55 - 2:05 pm
CBA / DBA / CBA-CLE Leadership Remarks
2:05 - 2:55 pm
Client Red and Green Flags
We're all excited when a new client comes through the door. In some cases, the relationship is beautiful. In other cases, strings of complaints, second guessing, and unpaid bills make you wish you had never taken this client in the first place. Learn how to identify a client who will make your life easy, and ones who won't.
Presented by Justie Nicol, Esq., Colorado Lawyer Team, P.C.
2:55 - 3:10 pm
Networking and Sponsor Break
3:10 - 4:00 pm
Ethical Tips for Supervising a Non-Lawyer Staff
Solo and small firms become that much more efficient when you are able to hire outside help. But with non-lawyer staff come new ethical issues. Learn how to train and supervise your non-lawyer staff so that your license and reputation won't end up in jeopardy.
Presented by Nicole M. Black, Esq., Cohen|Black Law
Submitted for 1 Professional Responsibility Credit
4:00 pm
Adjourn
Thursday, September 21, 2023
8:30 am
Registration and Coffee
9:00 - 9:50 am
AI for Small Firm Lawyers: Challenges and Opportunities
We've all heard that AI will end legal practice as we know it. But what if instead of ending your career, it could be a tool to transform your practice? Learn helpful tips to use AI to improve your practice and pitfalls to avoid.
Presented by Greg Corbin, Esq., Werge Law Group
9:50 - 10:40 am
Navigating Transitions
Barbara Furutani is a former Workers Compensation attorney, and current transition coach. No matter what transition you might be facing-moving from law student to lawyer, moving from a big firm to a small firm, or leaving practice-learn her tips for examining your life, values, and needs, and navigating transitions successfully.
Presented by Barbara Furutani, Esq., B Joyful in Coaching
10:40 - 11:00 am
Networking and Sponsor Break
11:00 - 11:50 am
Pricing Workshop
Learn how and why you should look into flat rate pricing for your legal services.
Presented by Jessica Bednarz, Esq., Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, and Lauren Lester, Esq., Lester Law, LLC
11:50 am - 12:00 pm
Pick up box lunches
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Networking Lunch
1:30 - 2:20 pm
Contract Workers
Learn the best practices for retaining attorneys and other workers as independent contractors, including supervision, and performing conflict checks.
Presented by Camilla Bonzo, Esq., Bonzo Law, LLC; and H. Michael “Mike” Drumm, Esq., Drumm Law LLC.
2:20 - 3:10 pm
Post Judgment Collections
Congratulations, you won your case! Now what? Learn about best practices for collections and garnishments post-judgment.
Presented by Matthew Berumen, Esq., Kenneth E. Davidson & Associates, and Dana Temple, Esq., The Temple Law Offices, LLC
3:10 - 3:30 pm
Networking and Sponsor Break
3:30 - 4:30 pm
Roundtables
Back by popular demand. Join your colleagues for guided discussion of important topics, including technology, succession planning, contracting with other attorneys, incorporating pro bono services into your practice, setting business goals, and more.
Table moderators to be named
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Reception
Sponsored by the Solo / Small Firm Section of the Colorado Bar Association
Friday, September 22, 2023
8:30 am
Registration and Coffee
9:00 - 9:50 am
Getting Your Firm's Affairs in Order - Succession Planning for Solos and Small Firms
Planning for incapacity or death is critical for solo and small firm practices. Failure to plan has consequences, including the involvement of Inventory Counsel. Succession planning provides you with the ability to control how the firm is dealt with during incapacity or death, the potential to retain more value from your firm, and can keep you in compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct. This presentation will discuss some of the outcomes if a solo or small firm attorney has not planned for sudden incapacity or death, the Rules of Professional Conduct that are applicable to succession planning, and the process for creating a succession plan.
Presented by Jodi S. Martin, Esq., Martin Law Office, LLC
Submitted for 1 Ethics/Professionalism Credit
9:50 - 10:00 am
Stretch Break
10:00 - 10:50 am
Tech and Cybersecurity
This is your chance to have all your tech and cybersecurity questions answered. Justie Nicol will moderate a free-form question and answer session with IT experts from the firm Stasmayer IT. Come with your burning questions and learn how to leverage technology to make your firm more efficient and secure.
Presented by: Richard Krenmayer, Stasmayer, Incorporated. Moderated by: Justie Nicol, Esq., Colorado Lawyer Team, P.C.
10:50 - 11:00 am
Stretch Break
11:00 - 11:50 am
Keeping Your Small or Solo Firm Ahead of the Curve
In 2022, the ABA and Thomson Reuters released a report titled 2022 State of US Small Law Firms: Case for Cautious Optimism. Consultant Gene Commander will discuss the results of this report, and give his thoughts on what a successful firm of the future will look like. Gene will discuss the value of a small firm, how attorneys can realize value from their firms through mergers, and how small firms can find and retain new and diverse talent in a competitive market.
Presented by Gene Commander, Esq., Gene Commander, Inc.
Submitted for 0.2 EDI Credits
11:50 am
Adjourn
Registration Fees
| Non Member | $779.00 |
| CBA Member | $584.00 |
| CBA Solo- Small Firm Section Member | $479.00 |
| New Lawyer Edge Partner | $292.00 |
| Paralegal/Legal Support Staff | $292.00 |
| Active Military | $292.00 |
| Public Service/Government | $292.00 |
| Student Currently Enrolled in Law School | $20.00 |
| CLEACCESSPASS---ELITE Pass Holder | $20.00 |
- General Credits: 12.00
- Ethics Credits: 2.00
- EDI Credits: 0.20
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