August 3-6, 2006
Honolulu, HI
Hilton Hawaiian Village

We have some great events planned for the Annual Meeting in Hawaii. Exceptional CLE like Solo Day and a historic Hawaiian trial, The Massie Case, as well as great social events like our Awards Dinner make this a meeting you won't want to miss. (And being set in an island paradise doesn't hurt either.)

Find out more about the Annual Meeting.

Hurry the Early Bird Discount Rate expires May 31. Register today and save!

We are now accepting nominations for our Solo & Small Firm Practitioners, Bar Project, and Bar Leaders Awards:

• Donald C. Rikli Solo Lifetime Achievement Award
• Sole Practitioner of the Year Award
• Annual Sole Practitioner Merit Award
• Annual Small Firm Practitioner Merit Award
• Solo and Small Firm Project Award
• Annual Bar Leader Award

Find out more about each of these and apply online on our Awards page.
Deadline is May 31, 2006.

The Lawyer as Problem Solver Award recognizes attorneys and organizations that use their problem-solving skills to forge creative solutions.

For more information please visit Dispute Resolution's website. Hurry, the deadline is May 19.

Exercise Your Options II
Researching, Testing, Implementing and Training for Case Management Software
Thursday, June 1, 2006
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Eastern

In Exercising Your Options II, our expert panelists will conduct a comparison of the top software packages. Building on the needs assessment, return on investment, and budgeting strategies from Exercise Your Options I, faculty discussion of testing and evaluation of software will include tips on what to look for during a presentation and what features to compare. The important steps of implementation, customization, and training will also be covered including the creation of timelines and a brief look at back-up and security.

Practice Builders is a new GP|Solo Teleconference series with an innovative approach to CLE. In addition to a traditional teleconference, there will be a follow up question and answer session on Solosez and a Monday Morning Workout "To Do" list.

Find out more about this CLE opportunity

GP|Solo Division is pleased to announce its inaugural Young Lawyers Fellows Program! This program provides leadership opportunities for young lawyers with the opportunity to become actively and integrally involved in the Division’s meetings and committees.
The application deadline is May 31, 2006

Find out more about the Young Lawyers Fellows Program.

Solosez is an email discussion list for solo and small firm lawyers. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Solosez has grown to be the ABA's busiest list. Solosez has now even earned a place in Wikipedia

For a taste of what Solosez has to offer, check out the popular threads on Solosez's website. Last month's threads were:

• (Off Topic) Dating...Who Pays?
• Lawyer’s Obligations As An Employer?
• Giving Away PC - How Best To Clean
• Any Patent Attorneys Here?

Attention all members, the Bylaws Committee is recommending that the Division Bylaws be changed.  Please download and review the revisions to the Bylaws (MS Word) and email genpractice@abanet.org with your comments, questions and suggestions. The Bylaw revisions were approved by Council on May 6, 2006 and will be up for approval by the Annual Meeting of the Membership on August 5, 2006 at the Annual Meeting.

It is amazing how many great tools are available online for free. From simple ideas like being able to transfer files too big for email to heady concepts like Social Bookmarking, we've gathered some of the cooler tools available on the web on our new resources page: Cool Tools.

Letters for Divorce Lawyers: Essential Communications for Clients, Opposing Counsel, and Others

Frequent, effective written communication with clients is vital to the successful practice of law. Letters for Divorce Lawyers will help ease the task of drafting and constructing letters for your practice and streamline the process of effective communication.

This new guide is set up chronologically following the usual life of a typical divorce case. It contains valuable, easy-to-conform samples including letters for: initial client contact, declination, retention letters and employment contracts, billing, withdrawal, pleadings transmittals, financial, discovery, depositions, scheduling, mediation, trial, settlements, closing matters, prenuptial agreements, and more.

Find out more about Letters for Divorce Lawyers.

GP|Solo author and Council member, Joan Burda has recently published an article in the American Law Institute-American Bar Association Continuing Professional Education (ALI-ABA) publication, The Practical Tax Lawyer titled Estate Planning for LGBT Individuals and Couples (PDF). This article includes forms and is based on a CLE presentation sponsored by the ABA General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Division. Joan is also the author of the award-winning book Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples.

YourLaw is a four-page client newsletter written with your clients and prospects in mind. Articles talk about issues that cover all major areas of law including real property, business, wills, trusts and estates, consumer issues, employment, taxation, personal injury and family law. This provides link for clients and prospects to look to you for legal services or referrals when the need arises.

YourLaw is available with or without your firm information imprinted on it and is also available in electronic form. GP|Solo members will receive a 10% discount if they write GPSOLO in the source code line on the order form. Subscribe before May 31, and you can still get the Summer 2006 issue.

Find out more about YourLaw.

ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
National Conference on the Employment of Lawyers with Disabilities
May 22-23, 2006
Renaissance Washington Hotel
Washington, D.C.
GP|Solo is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of this conference.

Topics Include:

• Is Disability Diverse or Just Different?
• Does It Pay to Hire Lawyers with Disabilities?
• Best Practices in Law Firms

Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession
National Conference for the Minority Lawyer
June 22-23, 2006
Philadelphia, PA
This unique two day program for litigators, business lawyers, in-house counsel, solo practitioners, and government lawyers will include practical training to help you:

• Improve your presentation techniques to promote success
• Facilitate a better understanding of diversity
• Market yourself by building your credentials
• Learn how to successfully transition your career

Congratulations Amy Lin Meyerson. The Governor of Connecticut proclaimed April 26, 2006 Amy Lin Meyerson Day in Connecticut for her work toward diversity.

Congratulations to Rick Paszkiet on his recent promotion to Senior Executive Editor in the ABA Book Publishing department. Rick has been invaluable to GP|Solo's book program.

Congratulations Joyce Conner-Gale for entering last month's contest and winning a free copy of our eBook, How to Build a Law Firm Brand. There will be another chance for a lucky person this month.

Last month we offered you a chance to win the incredibly popular eBook, How to Build a Law Firm Brand. While we have selected the winner (above), we will also be extending the contest.

All you need to do to enter is answer four multiple choice questions about yourself and our website. If you filled out the survey last month, there is no need to fill it out again, you will be automatically entered.

The deadline is May 31, so enter now!

New Orleans, New Law: Community Revival with Technology
May 22-23
Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street
New Orleans, LA

There will be a free two-day legal technology session to teach attorneys about the tools they could be using to get them back on their feet. The first day will have sessions on purchasing hardware and software and will culminate with a panel of local judges speaking on the state of the courts. The second day will feature sessions on mobile technology such as wifi and PDA usage which proved essential to those attorneys who survived Katrina as well as a session on using Web based technology to revive and maintain your practice. Brought to you by the Legal Electronic Discovery Institute (LEDI), the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) and the American Bar Association Law Practice Management Section (ABA LPM).

Find out more about New Orleans, New Law: Community Revival with Technology

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