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GP|Solo Buzz Newsletter

Happy Holidays
from GP|Solo!

The Buzz December 2007

In this issue:

Note: Information on all this and more can be found on our Website at http://www.abanet.org/genpractice.

SoloSez List Reaches Milestone
[Visit SoloSez.net]

SoloSez now has more than 3,000 subscribed email addresses!

See what else has been going with SoloSez, GP|Solo's list serve for solo and small firm lawyers and the ABA's most popular discussion list.

SoloSez Spotlighted in YourABA e-News »

GP|Solo Technology Committee Chair Bruce L. Dorner appeared in the November 2007 YourABA e-newsletter. In the interview Bruce points out the value of the SoloSez community, as well as offering helpful technology tips.

SoloSez the Go-To Resource for New Solo »

Michael R. Grossman, an attorney in Evanston, IL, decided in September to take the plunge into solo practice. As chronicled in December's ABA Journal, one of his first steps as a solo was of course to join SoloSez.

Sezzer Blawgs Make Top 100 »

Several of SoloSez's active members also maintain popular online journals about the legal profession (cutely known as blawgs). The December 2007 issue of the ABA Journal rates the top 100 blawgs, and the list includes many of SoloSez's own, including Sheryl Schelin, Susan Cartier Liebel, Norm Fernandez, Grant Griffiths, Jim Calloway, Ed Poll and Carolyn Elefant. Until Jan 2nd, you can vote for your favorites.

SoloSez Member Derails Christmastime Evictions »

Miami solo and SoloSez member, Scott Jay, discovered a clerical error that will now let area residents postpone eviction through the Christmas holiday.

Sezzer Finds Green Light for “Green Fairy” »

D.C. area SoloSez member Robert Lehrman helped convince regulators to allow a Swiss absinthe maker to start selling in the States.

Call for Nominations: ABA Presidential Appointments
[Nominate Presidential Appointments]
H. Thomas Wells, Jr.
ABA President-Elect

ABA President-Elect H. Thomas Wells, Jr. is seeking applications or nominations for appointed positions throughout the ABA. The President-Elect is privileged to fill vacancies on ABA Standing and Special Committees, Commissions, Working Groups, Task Forces and other ABA entities for the 2008-2009 Association year.

If you are interested and would like to have the GP|Solo Division nominate you please provide a resume, statement of qualification, highlight relevant prior experiences, bar services and prior presidential appointment for the position you would like to be nominated for to the Division Office at genpractice@abanet.org by February 25, 2008. It is recommended that individuals self-nominate and also request the Division’s nomination, as it may help you achieve the nomination. The deadline for submitting recommendations to the President-Elect’s office is March 1, 2008.

» Learn More about Presidential Appointments «

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kimberly Anderson at (312) 988-5636 or anderski@staff.abanet.org or Dee Lee at (312) 988-5648 or leed@staff.abanet.org.

LAST CALL for Nominations:
Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access

The ABA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services is seeking nominations for the 2008 Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access. The Award recognizes programs and projects that have made innovative and/or substantial contributions toward meeting the legal needs of people with moderate incomes.

The Award recipient and those receiving meritorious recognition will be honored at the ABA Midyear Meeting in Los Angeles on February 8, 2008. Recipient projects are included on the Committee’s Website. In addition, all suitable entries are listed in the Committee’s annual publication, Profiles of Moderate Income Delivery Programs, which is disseminated to bar leaders throughout the country.

» Learn More About Louis M. Brown Award «

Please note: The deadline for entries was December 17, 2007, but you may contact Will Hornsby at whornsby@staff.abanet.org or (312) 988-5761 to determine the possibility of late nominations.

Tabs3 & PracticeMaster Software
[Visit Tabs 3 / PracticeMaster Website]

We are pleased to welcome Software Technology, Inc. as a new sponsor to the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division.

For those of you not familiar with them, STI, the maker of Tabs3 Billing and PracticeMaster Practice Management Software, has been at the forefront of developing software for law firms for over twenty-five years. Tabs3 is one of the most widely used time and billing products in the United States and has been an industry leader since its introduction in 1979. Tabs3 is designed to integrate with PracticeMaster, the emerging leader in practice management software. Among its many features, PracticeMaster provides an easy way for firms to create a firm-wide calendar, search for conflicts of interest, and organize case and contact information.

» Learn More about Tabs3 & PracticeMaster «

Register Now for the ABA 2008 Midyear Meeting

The ABA 2008 Los Angeles Midyear Meeting registration website is currently open. If you're attending, register now for the weekend of February 7-10, 2008.

[Beverly Hilton Photo]

This year the GP|Solo Division Headquarters will be at the Beverly Hilton, located at 9876 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California 90210 (Tel: 310-274-7777, Fax: 310-285-1313). Room rates: Deluxe King Single/Double $236, Deluxe Junior Suite $316, Executive One-Bedroom Suite $366.

» Register Now! «

ABA Techshow (March 13-15)
[Visit ABA Techshow Website]

Join the ABA Law Practice Management Section as it presents ABA TECHSHOW® 2008 from March 13-15, 2008 at the new location, the Hilton Chicago hotel, in the magnificent Windy City!

Now in its 22nd year, ABA TECHSHOW® offers registrants more than 60 legal technology educational sessions in sixteen exciting tracks, including Litigation, Mac Trac, E-Discovery, Client Relationships, Solo/Small Firm and Large Firm tracks, and Advanced IT to name a few. During the two-day expo, over 120 technology vendors feature the latest in legal technology products and services. Network with over 1500 attendees during the Techie’s Networking Bash with heavy hors d’oeuvres and live band.

GP|Solo members will receive a $100 association member registration discount. Register early and receive an additional $200 Early Bird Discount to save a total of $300 in registration fees. Simply click the link below and be sure to enter your GP|Solo Program Promoter ID: PP826.

» Register Now! (Enter Code PP826) «

One-day passes are available for Thursday and Friday; however, the $100 discount cannot be applied to the one-day registration rate.

Save the Date: New Orleans in May!
New Orleans Photo
Photo courtesy of Blaine Kern’s
Mardi Gras World

The GP|Solo Division is headed down to the Big Easy this May 1-4, 2008, for the Division's 2008 Spring Meeting.

The Division will be reserving a block of rooms at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the city’s historic French Quarter, and we'll provide more information for how to register and reserve your room closer to the date. In the meantime, save the date and practice your dance steps, because this year's Spring Meeting coincides with the famous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival!

GP|Solo Book Spotlight

The Lawyer's Guide to Buying, Selling, Closing and Merging a Law Practice
By Sarina A. Butler & Richard G. Paszkiet

If you are considering buying, selling, closing, or merging a law practice, this book is a valuable resource for information on things to consider before and during the process. The guide provides advice and tips on: the advantages of buying and selling a law practice; the ethical aspects of acquiring a law practice; valuation of a law firm; tax consequences of "retiring" a partner's interest in a law firm taxed as a partnership; merging law firms; selling a niche practice; business responsibilities in closing a law practice; the ethical aspects of winding down a law practice; file preservation; and ending client and employee relationships.

Price: $99.95
GP|Solo members: $79.95

» Find out about other GP|Solo Books «

» Visit the ABA’s Solo & Small Firm Web Store «

GP|Solo Staff News

Laura Ramirez
GP|Solo Meetings Manager

Congratulations to Laura Ramirez on Five Years of Service with GP|Solo!

Laura's anniversary date with GP|Solo is December 31st.
You can contact her at ramirezl@staff.abanet.org.


Gordon Wright
GP|Solo Technology Coordinator

Congratulations to Gordon Wright on One Year of Service with GP|Solo!

Gordon's anniversary date with GP|Solo was November 27th.
You can contact him at wrightg@staff.abanet.org.

Feedback

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