Boston Bar Highlights Practical Programs for Boutique and Solo Practitioners

Underscoring its ability to serve its growing population of lawyers who want to know what’s involved in launching, growing and managing a boutique or solo/small firm practice, the Boston Bar Association today announced a medley of five programs and events designed to equip these new entrepreneurs with practical skills and a network of colleagues for business referrals.

December 4, 2012 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (16 Beacon St., Boston)
Overworked? Need temporary help? Be careful! 
Lawyers just launching a practice are likely to have lots of questions about their obligations regarding temporary lawyers or administrative help. Employment attorney Nina Joan Kimball will give a presentation telling you everything you need to know to comply with the law and avoid traps for the unwary.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (16 Beacon St., Boston)
First Wednesday Fundamentals: Gift Planning Basics I: Taxable Gifts – Definitions, Opportunities and Potential Pitfalls 
Lawyers thinking about developing a specialization in estate planning will have get an introduction to this area from Trusts and Estates lawyers Christopher D. Perry and Laurence G. Constable.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 (16 Beacon St., Boston)
Foundations for a New Practice: Drafting a Business Plan – Putting It All Together 
Three practicing attorneys (Audrey Heidt, Sofia S. Lingos, and Julie C. Cahill) will team up with expert Legal Consultants Stephen E. Seckler and Susan Letterman White to present step by step instructions on how to develop a business plan for a new solo or small firm.

Thursday, December 6, 2012 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (16 Beacon Street, Boston)
Small Firm, Big Tech: The iPad in Practice: Making Your Mobile Office Work 
Technology is an essential tool for all lawyers, and especially for those flying solo. Attorney Steven M. Ayr and Paul Doncaster of Thomson Reuters team up to demonstrate how a variety of iPad apps can help the solo practitioner realize efficiencies in law practice and management, particularly in the area of legal research.

Thursday, December 6, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (6B Lounge – 6B Beacon Street, Boston)
Entrepreneurial Development Committee Welcome and Social
Forming your own law firm is an entrepreneurial adventure. One of the most important caveats of practicing on your own is to know which types of work are best handled by a lawyer with another skill set. This is your opportunity to start building a key referral with similarly situated attorneys. Not to mention the opportunity to swap tips for keeping yourselves afloat.