In Up or Over

Making Partner

It's Up or Out No More as Alternatives Shake up the Traditional Partnership Model

Table of Contents

News from the Law Practice Management Section

by Larry C. Smith

Throughout the year, the Law Practice Management Section provides a wide variety of educational and networking opportunities, and most are eligible for mandatory continuing legal education credit.

In addition to the LPM Section's four quarterly meetings (including the ABA Annual and Midyear Meetings), LPM sponsors conferences focusing on specific areas of managing your law practice. This fall, along with the Section Fall Meeting, LPM offers two outstanding conferences within a few weeks of each other.

The ABA Women Rainmakers Mid-Career Workshop in Puerto Rico. In conjunction with the LPM Section Fall Meeting to be held October 18-20 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, the ABA Women Rainmakers Mid-Career Workshop will take place October 20-22 at the Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa—A Wyndham Grand Resort. The workshop will offer an interactive forum developed to give valuable insight and enhance the performance of the mid-career woman lawyer. Participants will have the opportunity to network with other successful lawyers, engage in topical discussions with knowledgeable legal professionals, and learn how to utilize tools to help assess career, client relationships and personal lifestyle requirements to maximize rainmaking capabilities. The early-bird registration fee for LPM members is $445 and the standard rate is $495. (Early-bird registration ends July 1.) Visit www.womenrainmakers.org for more information.

The Law Firm Marketing Strategies Conference. A few weeks later, LPM will offer a comprehensive two-day program for lawyers, law firm executives and marketing directors, November 8–9, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Conference highlights include:

• Return to Bates v. Arizona—The ongoing ethics debate on lawyer advertising, featuring Van O'Steen from Bates and a distinguished panel of national marketing ethic experts.
• The Diversity Dilemma— A special program on diversity initiatives, focused on their impact on the bottom line and the structure of law firms and legal departments.
• From "No Comment" to "No Problem"— Expert advice on developing a media strategy for handling a crisis and growing your business.
• Wasted Time, Wasted Spending— Advice on how to budget, hire and spend for law firm business development activities.
• Technology Marketing— From Web sites to contact management and every "virtual place" in between.
• Two "10x10" Extreme Marketing Programs— 10 speakers. 10 topics. 10 minutes each.

Early registration discounts may still be available. Visit www.lawpractice.org/marketingconference.

Don't miss the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Be sure to join your fellow LPM members at the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco, August 9-12, at the Westin St. Francis. LPM will present several CLE programs:

• Technology for the Rest of Us, Friday, August 10, 8:30 –10 a.m.
• What Women (In-House Counsel) Want, presented by ABA Women Rainmakers, Friday, August 10, 2–4 p.m.
• Retirement Planning for Senior Lawyers, Saturday, August 11, 8:30–10 a.m.
• Financial Management—Sound Strategies and Best Practices, Saturday, August 11, 2–4 p.m.
• Fulfilling the Diversity Initiative: Meeting the Expectations of the Law Firm, the Diverse Workforce, and the Client (an ABA Showcase Program), Sunday, August 12, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

To learn more about the ABA Annual Meeting and to register, visit www.abanet.org/annual/2007.  The final advance registration and housing deadline is Friday, July 6.

LPM "Third Thursday" teleconference series. Expand your knowledge from the comfort of your office chair—today's practical and affordable way to earn CLE credits—every third Thursday with an LPM CLE teleconference. LPM members receive $65 off regular tuition rates of $150. Visit www.law practice.org/cle to view the latest schedule and register online.

The LPM June teleconference, scheduled for Thursday, June 21, at 1 p.m. EDT, will focus on law firm finance issues. Call the ABA Service Center at (800) 285-2221 for information or to register by phone.

Make the most of your LPM membership. LPM Section benefits include:

• $100 discount for ABA TECHSHOW®
• 15-20 percent discount on all LPM books
• Complimentary subscription to Law Practice magazine
• Complimentary e-issues of Law Practice Today, Law Technology Today and LawPractice.news
• Networking, leadership and mentoring opportunities
• Opportunities to participate in the four practice core groups: marketing, management, technology and finance

* You must be a member of the ABA to become an LPM member. Additional benefits are included with your ABA membership. Go to www.abanet.org/advantage .