Small Law, Big Ethics: Navigating the ethical challenges of running and growing your solo/small law practice in a post-COVID world (2024 Edition)

Allison Williams
Allison Williams | Law Firm Mentor

Allison Williams is the owner of not one, but two, successful companies. She is CEO and Founder of Law Firm Mentor, and Founder of Williams Law Group, a full-service family law firm where she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as Matrimonial Law Attorney, and is certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy in Family Law. Allison was recognized as Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2008-2013 and has been named a Super Lawyer annually since 2014.

On-Demand: October 3, 2024

2 hour CLE

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Program Summary

This program is designed to provide solo and small law firm attorneys with an overview of the ethical issues they are likely to encounter in the course of growing their practice. We will cover topics such as the use of non-attorney salespeople, technology and data privacy concerns, the growth of the virtual law practice, the increasing use of AI technology in the practice of law and the rise of social media and online marketing. Each of these trends creates unique ethical challenges related to compensation, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, client communication, and professional conduct.

Compensation arrangements for non-attorney salespeople raise unique ethical concerns, particularly when it comes to fee-splitting and conflicts of interest. Our program will address these concerns and provide guidance on how to structure compensation arrangements that are both ethical and compliant with applicable rules of professional conduct.

The increased use of technology in legal practice raises ethical concerns regarding data privacy, client confidentiality, and cybersecurity. Attorneys must stay informed about evolving technology trends, implement appropriate security measures, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

With the growth of remote work and virtual law firms, ethical considerations arise concerning the delivery of legal services online. Issues include client verification, secure communication, remote notarization, and maintaining client confidentiality in a digital environment.

Attendees will learn about the ethical obligations that solo and small firm attorneys owe to their clients and how those obligations interact with these new legal practice trends. This program will highlight pitfalls, speak to the most common issues that attorneys fail to recognize and give practical guidance on how to navigate these issues while still building a growing and successful practice.

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Use of non-attorney salespeople, technology and data privacy concerns
  • The growth of the virtual law practice
  • The increasing use of ai technology in the practice of law
  • The rise of social media and online marketing

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

Allison Williams_Law Firm Mentor_FedBarAllison Williams | Law Firm Mentor

Allison Williams is the owner of not one, but two, successful companies. She is CEO and Founder of Law Firm Mentor, and Founder of Williams Law Group, a full-service family law firm where she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, is Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as Matrimonial Law Attorney, and is certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy in Family Law. Allison was recognized as Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2008-2013 and has been named a Super Lawyer annually since 2014.

After taking Williams Law Group from start-up to a multi-million dollar business in 3.5 years, she created a second business, Law Firm Mentor, where she and her team provide business coaching services for solo and small law firm attorneys, helping them grow their revenues, crush chaos in business, and make more money.

Law Firm Mentor was born out Allison’s success in business, including winning the LawFirm500 award, ranking 14th of the fastest growing law firms in the nation, being named a Stevie Award Finalist for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and in 2018, being voted as NJBIZ’s Top 50 Women in Business, and designated one of the Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners.

Agenda

I. Use of non-attorney salespeople, technology and data privacy concerns | 12:00pm – 12:30pm

II. The growth of the virtual law practice | 12:30pm – 1:00pm

Break | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

III. The increasing use of ai technology in the practice of law | 1:10pm – 1:40pm

IV. The rise of social media and online marketing | 1:40pm – 2:10pm

Credits

Alaska

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Alaska's recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Alabama

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Arkansas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

Our programs are CLE-eligible through Arkansas's recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity.
Arizona

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

California

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

Colorado

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Connecticut

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

District of Columbia

No MCLE Required
1.5 Ethics hours

Delaware

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Florida

Approved for CLE Credits
2.5 Ethics

Georgia

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics

Hawaii

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

Iowa

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Idaho

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Illinois

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics

Indiana

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics

Kansas

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Kentucky

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Louisiana

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Massachusetts

No MCLE Required
1.5 Ethics hours

Maryland

No MCLE Required
1.5 Ethics hours

Maine

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Ethics credits can ONLY be earned through Live-Webcast programs, the Maine Board of Bar Examiners does not approve Ethics through On-Demand sessions.
Michigan

No MCLE Required
1.5 Ethics hours

Minnesota

Approved for Self-Study Credits
1.5 Ethics

Missouri

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2.4 Ethics

Mississippi

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Montana

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

North Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

North Dakota

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

Our programs are CLE-eligible through North Dakota’s recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity. Section 1, Policy 1.14
Nebraska

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

myLawCLE reports attendance to Nebraska on each attorney's behalf for all programs. Please do not self-report.
New Hampshire

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

As of July 1, 2014, the NHMCLE Board no longer provides pre- or post-approval of courses. Attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance online at www.nhbar.org, based on qualification provisions of Rule 53.
New Jersey

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 Ethics

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New Jersey's recognition of multi-jurisdictional reciprocity, except for the courses required under BCLE Reg. 201:2
New Mexico

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics

Nevada

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics

New York

Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 Ethics

Our programs are CLE-eligible through New York’s Approved Jurisdiction Group “A”.
Ohio

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Professional Conduct

Oklahoma

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2.5 Ethics

Oregon

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Pennsylvania

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics

Rhode Island

Pending CLE Approval
2.5 Ethics

South Carolina

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

South Dakota

No MCLE Required
1.5 Ethics hours

Tennessee

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics

Texas

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

Utah

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

Virginia

Not Eligible
2 Ethics Hours Hours

Vermont

Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics

Washington

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics

Wisconsin

Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General

Ethics credits can ONLY be earned through Live-Webcast programs, the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners does not approve Ethics through On-Demand sessions.
West Virginia

Pending CLE Approval
2.4 Ethics

Wyoming

Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics

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