March/April 2012: 50 Years of the GPSolo Division
Cover Story
Five Decades of ServiceThe General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division celebrates its 50th anniversary and five decades as the voice of solo and small firm practitioners in the organized bar.
features
Lawtech of Yesteryear
Listen in on a conversation among colleagues discussing how far we’ve come technologically over the past 50 years.
Lawtech of Tomorrow
Mobile devices connected to the cloud will free lawyers of the future from desk-bound tasks.
The Division Looks Ahead
The Division Secretary offers a sneak peek at the exciting programs planned for the coming years.
GPSolo and Its Main Street Lawyers
Learn how the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division is the focus of the ABA’s efforts to stay relevant to the Main Street Lawyer.
General Practice 50 Years Ago
Running a general practice five decades ago was quite a different proposition than it is today.
General Practice Today
One ingredient in the mix has not changed in the last 50 years: the human element.
What to Do Now to Strengthen Your Practice for the Future
The successful firms of tomorrow will not look like the firms of today.
Why I’m Glad I Became a Lawyer
Five attorneys reveal how they have found fulfillment—not regrets—in the practice of law.
Making Magic with Courtroom Technology
Make your own “WIZARD” web-based application, and you’ll appear as if you wield a magic wand in the courtroom.
Five Cutting-Edge Front-Office Tools
Thoughtful implementation of technology such as Evernote, Dropbox, Workflowy, Tungle.me, and Batchbook will allow you to run a more enjoyable, economical, and profitable practice.
Ten Things You Need to Know about Back-Office Systems
Weigh the value of each attribute for your firm and plan an upgrade with the functions most beneficial to you.
Best of ABA Sections
FAMILY LAW: Finding Pornography on the Family Computer
What should a family law attorney do if the client reports that a spouse has downloaded pornography?
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LAW: Verifying Online Identity
Answering two simple questions—“Who are you?” and “How can you prove it?”—is becoming critical for online business activities.
BUSINESS LAW: Do Web-Based Terms of Sale Work?
Case law has only begun to address the issue of the enforceability and application of website-based contract terms.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW: Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Policy
Agricultural policy debates often overlook how policy affects our perception and response to environmental issues.
ESTATE AND FINANCIAL PLANNING: Basis Harvesting
Basis harvesting provisions can permit the heirs of most married couples to reap significant income tax savings.
Columns
ROAD WARRIOR: We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!
Unlike 50 years ago, we can now practice out of the office with virtually the same efficiency as we can practice in the office.
THE CHAIR’S CORNER: Think Forward As We Turn 50!
As the Division enters its 50th year, we will strategically reflect on who we are and how we can best serve our members.
GENERAL PRACTICE, SOLO AND SMALL FIRM DIVISION NEWS
Division name change proposal; Spring Meeting details; Solo and Small Firm Awards; Diversity and Young Lawyers Fellowships; Committee leadership appointments
BEING SOLO: Taking Care of Clients: Ten Must Dos
There is never a guarantee of a happy client, but follow these ten rules to increase your odds.
PRODUCT REVIEW: Westlaw Drafting Assistant—Litigation
Research, format, cite-check, and analyze case law—all within the document you are drafting.
GP MENTOR: How the ABA Helped My Practice
Thanks to his work with the ABA, this lawyer is interacting at the highest levels with people who wouldn’t otherwise know his name.
