Committee Highlight
Young Lawyers Fellowship Program and Diversity Fellows Program Open to New Candidates Until April 30
GPSolo is pleased to announce the sponsorship of two Young Lawyers fellowships and four Diversity fellowships for the 2013–2014 bar year by the respective committees. Nominations are open through April 30, 2013. Complete the applications and submit to gpsolo@americanbar.org. More details below.
The nomination process is open annually from January 1 to April 30.
Purpose
The Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division of the American Bar Association launched its Young Lawyers Fellows Program in the 2006–07 bar year. The program provides leadership opportunities for young lawyers. We recognize that, as a leader within the Young Lawyers Division, you have many opportunities to become involved in bar-related organizations and activities. The GPSolo Division is committed to increasing the participation of young lawyers in Division activities. This program will provide young lawyers the opportunity to become actively and integrally involved in the Division’s meetings and committees.
Description
The Division’s Young Lawyer Committee will identify and nominate two young lawyers who will be appointed by the Chair-Elect to funded fellowship positions within the Division to be effective during the following bar year. The selected fellows will be appointed to the Young Lawyers Committee and one other committee of their choosing to engage in substantive work. The fellows will be expected to complete a substantive project for the Division. Each Fellow will also be paired with a mentor.
Guidelines
The selection will be based on the individual’s achievement and commitment to the organized bar and Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division’s mission and goals. The fellow will be expected to remain active in the Young Lawyers Division (unless aged out), join the Young Lawyers Division GPSolo Committee, and assist the Young Lawyers Division Liaison with recruitment at YLD meetings.
Funding
The fellows will receive normal Division reimbursement (airfare and $100.00 per diem for two days) to attend the Division’s Fall Meeting (typically held in October) and Spring Meeting (typically held in May). Fellows are also expected to show their commitment to the Division by attending the ABA Annual Meeting.
Eligibility
A candidate must be an active member of the YLD or a previously active member who has aged out within the past three years. Successful candidates will have demonstrated involvement in bar association and non-bar-related activities. There is no requirement that the candidate presently be a member of the GPSolo Division; however, any person chosen as a Fellow must be an ABA member and join the GPSolo Division. Although letters of recommendation are not required, a candidate may submit up to three, if so desired.
Deadline
Nomination applications must be received by April 30. Successful applicants will be notified after the Division’s Spring Meeting.
Mail, fax or email your Young Lawyer Fellowship Application along with supporting documents to:
American Bar Association
Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division
Young Lawyers Fellowship Program
321 N. Clark St.
Chicago IL, 60654
Phone: 312-988-5659
Fax: 312-988-5711
Email: gpsolo@americanbar.org
For further information on the Young Lawyer Fellowship Program, contact the GPSolo Division at 312-988-5659 or gpsolo@americanbar.org. Visit our website at www.americanbar.org/gpsolo.
Young Lawyer Fellowship Application
Diversity Fellowship Program
Four Diversity fellowships will be awarded for the 2013–14 bar year. The nomination process is now open through April 30, 2013. Complete the application and submit to gpsolo@americanbar.org.
The American Bar Association’s Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division sponsors four Diversity fellowships. The nomination process is open annually from January 1 to April 30.
Purpose
The Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division established the Diversity Fellows Program in the 1999–00 bar year. The program is designed to promote diversity within the Division and the ABA, while providing leadership development opportunities within the Division for women, attorneys of color, those with disabilities, and persons of differing sexual orientations and gender identities.
Description
The Division’s Diversity Board will identify and nominate four lawyers of diverse backgrounds and experiences who will be appointed by the Chair-Elect to funded fellowship positions within the Division to be effective during the following bar year. Upon completion of successful active participation in the first scholarship year, these participants will then be appointed to regularly funded positions within the Division the following bar year, giving consideration to the Division’s existing needs and the participants’ preferences based upon the first-year participation.
Eligibility
Any lawyer or judge who is a member of the Division with a diverse background and experiences as defined by ABA Goal III, including, women, attorneys of color, those with disabilities, and persons of differing sexual orientations and gender identities.
Funding
The fellows will receive normal Division reimbursement ($500 airfare and $100.00 per diem for two days) to attend the Division’s Fall Meeting (typically held in October), and Spring Meeting (typically held in May). Fellows are also expected to show their commitment to the Division by attending the ABA Annual Meeting.
Guidelines
The selection will be based on the individual’s achievement and commitment to the organized bar and Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division’s mission and goals. Fellows will be required to attend three of the Division’s meetings during their Fellowship. Fellows also agree to remain a member of the Division for a two-year period after their Fellowship concludes and participate in the activities and program of the Division.
Deadline
Nomination applications must be received by April 30. Successful applicants will be notified after the Division’s Spring Meeting. Mail, fax, or email completed diversity fellowship application and nominations to:
American Bar Association
Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division
Diversity Fellowship Program
321 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Fax 312-988-5711
Email: gpsolo@americanbar.org
For further information on the Diversity Fellowship Program, contact the GPSolo Division at 312-988-5648 or gpsolo@americanbar.org. Visit our website at www.americanbar.org/gpsolo.
Diversity Fellowships Application
Member Spotlight
Giuseppe Lorenzo Rosa
1. Where do you live?
Bardolino, Lake Garda, 20 km northwest of Verona, Italy.
2. What group do you practice with as an attorney?
I am owner of a solo small firm, specializing in international business law.
3. How long have you been practicing law?
For the past 32 years, always as Member of the Milano (Italy) Bar.
4. When I was young, I wanted to be . . .
An artist. I recall winning second prize at a painting contest organized by the Verona Township when I was seven years old. I painted an Italian fire brigade team in action.
5. What is your favorite part of your role as an attorney?
I love to be the leader of a team of professionals involved in advising a corporate client in contractual/tax/deal-making interplay.
6. What in your profession are you most passionate about?
After being for many years primarily involved in high profile business litigation and noncontentious matters, I have learned that applying high-level skills to small firm clients, particularly in business-related litigation, may be greatly heartwarming. Representing small business clients before courts, particularly in civil law countries, may turn out to be an opportunity to convey my goodwill and knowledge also to justices. Quite recently, I managed to dramatically speed up the process for the Italian Ministry of Home Affairs to grant Italian citizenship to a lady who, being a national of the Kingdom of Morocco, had spent the past 18 years in Italy, and who applied for Italian citizenship more than two years ago, without any feedback from governmental offices ever since. The Director General of the Italian Ministry of Home Affairs has eventually responded personally to me by email, with long, exhaustive comments, making it possible to have the Ministerial Decree issued after a week he got my first email demand for information. It cost the lady the client . . . a smile, from her beautiful, young face, popping out of her Italian-style small chador.
7. What is the most interesting experience you have had in the legal profession?
Back in 1987, I was counsel to an Italian corporate client who had been sued, in a multimillion dollar commercial case, before a CCPIT administered arbitration proceeding in Beijing. I was literally overcome by the professionalism of the Chairman of the Arbitration Panel, a Chinese gentleman, in his late sixties, who spoke an Oxbridge English, and who, over hours of work together, along with the other two Chinese ex-parte arbitrators, conveyed to me his life story. He had lost all family members in the years of the Mao Tse Tung revolution, as well as during the years when the Gang of Four was disciplining people with the Central Government’s consent.
8. How long have you been a member of the ABA?
I joined the ABA in 2004, after meeting with Jim Silkenat, in New York City in 2003, whom I had known because of my frequent visits to the United States on clients’ assignments.
Jim interviewed me and suggested that my firm be listed in the Section of International Law’s Guide to Foreign Law Firms, 4th edition. Then he invited me for lunch, where I had to tackle the largest T-bone steak I have ever eaten.
9. What ABA sections or groups do you belong to?
With the Section of International Law, I belong to the following committees:
- China Committee
- Europe Committee (Vice-Chair)
- Foreign Legal Consultant Committee
- India Committee
- International Commercial Transactions, Franchising and Distribution Committee
- International Corporate Counsel Committee
- International Franchise Subcommittee
- International Litigation Committee
- International M & A Joint Venture Committee
- International Procurement Committee
- International Secured Transactions & Insolvency Committee
- International Trade Committee
- Islamic Finance Committee
- Latin America and Caribbean Committee
- Middle East Committee
- Russia/Eurasia Committee
- Seasoned Lawyers Interest Network
- U.N. and International Institutions Coordinating Committee
With the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, I belong to the following committees:
- Admiralty and Maritime Law
- Business Litigation
- General Committees
- International
- Products Liability Committee
With the Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division, I belong to the following committees:
- Business Opportunities & Commercial Law Committee
- Committee Directors, Chairs, Co-Chairs
- Corporate Counsel Committee
- Division 3 - Practice Specialty Division
- GPSolo Leadership
- International Law Committee (Co-chair)
- Litigation Committee
- Real Estate Law Committee
- Senior Lawyers Committee
10. What do you find most valuable about the ABA?
Thru my initiation in August 2010 in Toronto, I learned that, then aged 57, I really enjoyed sharing serious and less serious time with attorneys. Would you believe it?
11. How has ABA benefitted you personally or professionally?
Since age 11, step by step, I have come to appreciate traveling and living overseas, either as a student or on business. First the United Kingdom, then the United States, Canada, the Soviet Republic, Europe at large, China, Central America, South America, Northern Africa, and South Africa after Apartheid was lifted; also, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, through meetings with the ABA. Colleagues I have come to “revisit,” sharing with so many people, young or less young. With 32 years of extended and varied exposure to law practice, about to turn 60, I find the ABA a unique setting where I can share thoughts, concerns, expectations, ideals, always sensing a great deal of respect for the most challenging liberal profession in the world: representing others.
12. Do you belong to any other professional organizations?
The New York City Bar Association, The Milan (Italy) Bar, and The Fullbright Alumni Association.
13. Other awards or honors?
My only daughter Pauline, who is 20, says that I ski (alpine skiing) like a ski instructor. At almost age 60, I feel that this a great accomplishment, particularly considering that I spend only eight days a year on my skis.
Contact info:
Giuseppe Lorenzo Rosa
Law Offices of Giuseppe L Rosa & Assoc. Counsels
4 Piazza G Fracastoro
Cavaion Veronese, VR 37010
Italy
glrosa@tiscali.it
390458030630 (work phone)
Tips for New Members
Building Branding Success for
Your Practice
Brands and branding are considered an organization's most valuable assets. This is as important for law practices as it is with any successful services or products. Brands influence clients, prospects, investors, employees, and other stakeholders. We know of the highly successful brands such as Apple, Amazon, Google, and others to name a few.
Commitment to your firm’s brand derives from the loyalty of your clients or followers. A strong brand identity indicates a true brand and followers. A weak brand may not be developed properly or may be in the early stages of building an identity.
Whether you are a solo, small firm, general practice, consumer brand, a nonprofit, or a mid-size service business, strong brands are sustainable and start from a position of strength. Your firm’s personality, history, culture, and values should be integrated for the greatest authenticity.
Why do some brands have excellent positioning and brand essence?
Here are few tips to consider:
- Brand Ideals—Identify vision, coherence, commitment, and check the authenticity at the beginning of the process. If you don’t know your firm’s ideals, then how do you know when you have reached them?
- Identify Your Leadership Team―Determine who will be involved in the branding process and stick to it. There is nothing worse than bringing in others, leaders or staff, in the middle of the plan. Do you think they will understand the outcomes when they were not involved in the steps and decision making?
- Targeted Messages―Plan your full strategy of how to demonstrate your value to your clients. Is the look and feel of your core messages aligned to the brand identity?
- Positioning―Define a strategy that drives your marketing and breaks barriers. Understand what you can control and what you cannot control. Do you clearly know that vision, mission, character, and your services are under your control, and the competition and marketplace are not under your control?
- Invest― Evaluate your brand by how durable it is and its flexibility over time. Does your brand position your law firm for growth, change, and the target market?
Some brands meet constant changes and yet express their culture and themselves in a consistent manner. As an example, Amazon.com beat out its competitors this year for the best reputation. This distinction is based on the 2013 Harris Poll RQ Study, which engages over 14,000 members of the general public to measure the reputations of the 60 most visible companies in the country. Apple moved to number two. Interested in more details how to build a brand? Brand Atlas by Alina Wheeler is a good reference. Also, the article “Reputation Carries the Day in Harris' New Brand Trust Rankings: Amazon Beats Apple As Most Trusted Company in U.S.” can be found here.
Next month: more tips for new members and touch points.
