By Larry Smith

As summer approaches, many lawyers are able to schedule time for rest and relaxation, while others find their professional lives are as busy as ever. As Law Practice Management Section members know, managing the business of practicing law is a job that requires consistent attention not only from managing partners, but from all the lawyers and other professionals in the firm. LPM continues with a steady pace of innovative and practical programs and publications throughout the year. Following a very successful ABA TECHSHOW® and LPM Section Spring Meeting in Chicago in late April, Section members can look forward to monthly CLE teleconferences, book releases and the ABA Annual Meeting, to be held August 3-8 in Honolulu. Complete details on all current programs are available at www.lawpractice.org.

“New Orleans, New Law: Community Revival with Technology.”

The LPM Section was honored to co-sponsor this free program in New Orleans May 22-23, for Gulf Coast lawyers and firms recovering from the effects of the 2005 hurricane season. LPM leader Tom O'Connor coordinated LPM's efforts with the Louisiana State Bar Association to present a two-day CLE program emphasizing the ways law office technology tools can help lawyers rebuild their practices. LPM and LSBA are grateful to the legal technology vendors who contributed to this effort.

Newly updated Section Web site.

ABA members are discovering LPM's newly revised Web site, now with better organization, easier navigation and a wealth of information only a click or two away. The site, at www.lawpractice.org, is frequently updated with the latest in Section news, membership benefits, information about upcoming CLE and events, and links to publications, including archived issues of Law Practice magazine.

Get CLE at your desk.

Expand your knowledge and earn CLE credits from the comfort of your office chair. LPM continues its popular monthly CLE teleconference series (60- to 90-minute audio seminars) in June and July. On Thursday, June 15, the program Balancing Act: Finding Work-Life Balance for the Associate will include discussions on structuring reduced- or alternative-hours work schedules. Then, on Thursday, July 20, LPM will offer some of the best practical information on the use of technology, from highly rated ABA TECHSHOW presenters. LPM members receive substantial discounts on registration fees. Visit www.lawpractice.org/cle for complete details and to register online.

Register now for ABA Annual Meeting.

Members and guests are busy planning for the ABA Annual Meeting, to be held in Honolulu, August 3-8 (see details below). Among the educational programs LPM will present are: Technology for the Rest of Us; Negotiating Difference: Appreciating Gender and Culture in Negotiation; Marketing by Associates; Practical Integration of Legal Technology Today; and Best (and Most Ethical) Practices for Electronic Evidence: Document Retention, E-Discovery, Litigation Holds, Spoliation and Sanctions.

Spotlight on ABA Women Rainmakers.

LPM is the home of the ABA Women Rainmakers, a forum to enable women lawyers to network and develop business opportunities. The group is open to lawyers and non-lawyers, and membership in ABA Women Rainmakers is free to LPM members. Programs are offered throughout the year on marketing and business development, to help women lawyers to face the challenges and opportunities they may encounter in the legal profession. For information, visit www.womenrainmakers.org.

Partnerships with your local bar.

The Section works with numerous state and local bar associations and other professional organizations to share our resources with a broader audience. LPM will be visible at several bar conferences this month, including the Missouri and Indiana Solo & Small Firm Conferences. In addition, the ABA partners with state and local bars to distribute LPM books, so that their members have easy access to our law practice publications. Of course, one benefit of LPM membership is a discount on all LPM publications. Visit the ABA Web store today at www.ababooks.org.